Rules 22 and 23 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 22 requires the Central Bureau of Investigation, or any other Government investigating agency that conducts an investigation under the Act, to report to the Central Government every quarter on the status of each case. Rule 23 says where information or intimation about political or speculative activities is to be sent: to the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, by registered post or in electronic form. Rule 24 was omitted in 2020.
This article reads rules 22 and 23 as per the Rules as amended by the notifications named in this article: rule 22 unamended (the third-party consolidation of 17 September 2019, checked against the Rules as notified on 29 April 2011) and rule 23 as amended by G.S.R. 695(E) of 10 November 2020. The latest consulted is S.O. 3272(E) of 22 June 2026, which does not touch either rule. Later amendments should be checked. For questions on an investigation, a legal consultation is the place to start.
Rule 22: the Central Bureau of Investigation or any other Government investigating agency that conducts an investigation under the Act furnishes reports to the Central Government on a quarterly basis, indicating the status of each case entrusted to it. Rule 23: information or intimation about political or speculative activities of a person as mentioned in rule 3 or rule 4 is furnished to the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, by registered post or in electronic form. Rule 24 was omitted by G.S.R. 695(E).
Rule 22: returns by the investigating agency
Rule 22 is headed "Returns by the Investigating Agency to the Central Government". The consolidation consulted prints: "The Central Bureau of Investigation or any other Government investigating agency that conducts any investigation under the Act shall furnish reports to the Central Government on a quarterly basis, indicating the status of each case that was entrusted to it, including information regarding the case number, date of registration, date of filing charge sheet, court before which it has been filed, progress of trial, date of judgment and the conclusion of each case." The 2011 OCR agrees. None of the notifications held amends it.
| Element | Text |
|---|---|
| Who | The Central Bureau of Investigation or any other Government investigating agency |
| When | On a quarterly basis |
| To whom | The Central Government |
| What | The status of each case entrusted to it |
| Particulars | Case number; date of registration; date of filing charge sheet; court before which filed; progress of trial; date of judgment; conclusion of each case |
Reading rule 22
- The duty is the agency's. An organisation under investigation does not file anything under rule 22.
- Each case. The report covers each case entrusted to the agency, not only new ones.
- Particulars. The list is introduced by "including", so the particulars are not stated to be exhaustive.
- Link with section 43. Section 43 allows an authority specified by the Central Government to investigate offences under the Act with the powers of an officer-in-charge of a police station. Rule 22 is the reporting rule for such investigations. See the article on sections 42 and 43. The authority specified under section 43 is not named in the texts consulted.
- Link with section 48. Section 48(2)(z) lists returns by the prescribed authority under section 44 as a rule-making head; rule 22 concerns the investigating agency and the rules held do not say it is made under that head.
Rule 23: where information is sent
Rule 23, headed "Authority to whom an application or intimation to be sent", reads in the consolidation consulted: "Any information or intimation about political or speculative activities of a person as mentioned in rule 3 or rule 4, shall be furnished to the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. Such information or intimation shall be sent by registered post."
Paragraph 17 of G.S.R. 695(E) inserted, after the words "registered post", the words "or in electronic form". As it stands: "Such information or intimation shall be sent by registered post or in electronic form."
| Element | Text |
|---|---|
| What | Information or intimation about political or speculative activities of a person |
| Which activities | As mentioned in rule 3 (organisation of a political nature) or rule 4 (speculative activities) |
| To whom | The Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi |
| How | By registered post or in electronic form |
Reading rule 23
- Who furnishes. The rule does not say who furnishes the information; it speaks of "information or intimation about political or speculative activities of a person". The duty may arise from other rules, or from a person who wishes to inform the Government.
- No Form and no time limit. Rule 23 prescribes neither.
- The scope. It refers to activities of the kind in rules 3 and 4. See the article on rule 3 and the article on rule 4.
- Electronic form. "Electronic form" has the meaning in rule 2(1)(ba); see rules 1 and 2.
Rule 24: omitted
Rule 24 was omitted by paragraph 18 of G.S.R. 695(E) dated the 10th November, 2020. In the consolidation consulted it dealt with the procedure for transferring foreign contribution to other persons. Section 7 of the Act was substituted by the Amendment Act, 2020 in the same period; see the article on section 7. There is no Form FC-5 any more, and rule 24 is not otherwise described here.
Example (invented). A central investigating agency has taken up three cases under the Act. At the end of each quarter it reports to the Central Government the case number, date of registration, date of filing the charge sheet, the court, the progress of trial, the date of judgment and the conclusion for each case, as rule 22 requires. Separately, a person with information that an organisation habitually uses 'bandh' or 'hartal' as methods of political action writes to the Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs by registered post or in electronic form, as rule 23 contemplates for information on political activities mentioned in rule 3.
Need help if an investigation has begun?
An investigation by a specified authority or an agency has its own course, and the reports under rule 22 are for the Government. Our legal consultation service can help you understand where your matter stands and what you may be asked to produce.
Key takeaways
- Rule 22 puts a quarterly reporting duty on the investigating agency, with seven listed particulars for each case.
- The duty is the agency's, not the organisation's.
- Rule 23 sends information on political or speculative activities (rules 3 and 4) to the Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, by registered post or in electronic form.
- Rule 23 prescribes no Form and no time limit.
- Rule 24 was omitted by G.S.R. 695(E); Form FC-5 went with it.
Read next
- Sections 42 and 43: power to call for information and investigation
- Rules 20 and 21: revision application and compounding application
- Section 7: foreign contribution not to be transferred to another person
- Rule 3: guidelines for declaring an organisation of a political nature
Disclaimer: Based on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 as enacted, read with the Amendment Act, 2020 and the other amendments named in this article, and on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 as amended by the notifications named (latest consulted: S.O. 3272(E) dated 22 June 2026), as consulted on 2 October 2026. No consolidated official text was available; some provisions rest on a third-party copy and are identified as such. Later amendments, notifications and Ministry of Home Affairs orders should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.