On December 12, 2024, the NGO Secretariat issued a directive requiring all foreign and domestic NGOs to register exclusively with the Secretariat. This directive includes a re-registration process for NGOs under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 and mandatory registration for those operating without it. As part of the registration process, NGOs must submit relevant documentation to the Secretariat, which will then forward it to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, and other relevant line ministries for clearance. While this was framed as a move toward financial transparency, it has been difficult to view it as anything other than an attempt to expand surveillance and control.
In January 2025, the Institute for People Engagement and Networking (iPEN), a grassroots organization, filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the NGO Secretariat’s December 12, 2024 directive. iPEN argued that the directive exceeds the Secretariat’s authority and violates constitutional and international human rights standards. While acknowledging the importance of transparency and security, iPEN contends the measures unnecessarily hinder independent voices and could undermine democratic efforts.