India and South Sudan impose stricter rules on foreign‑funded NGOs

India has introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, which would expand government authority over NGOs that receive foreign funding. The proposal grants officials broader powers to register, suspend, cancel and manage such organisations, and allows assets to be vested in a government‑designated authority before judicial review. Critics, including Rajya Sabha member P. Wilson, say the changes centralise control, undermine due‑process rights and could disrupt services such as schools, hospitals and community centres run by NGOs.

In South Sudan, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission has imposed new restrictions that bar NGOs from participating in political activities. While authorities argue the measures preserve NGO neutrality, observers warn they shrink civic space, hamper human‑rights monitoring, peace‑building, voter education and could lead to self‑censorship, reduced donor confidence and weaker delivery of development programmes.