Overview
PM CARES Fund (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund) is a public charitable trust created on March 27, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a dedicated national fund for providing relief during emergency or distress situations such as pandemics, natural disasters, and other calamities. The fund is registered under the Registration Act, 1908.
Between FY 2019-20 and FY 2022-23, the fund received a total of Rs 13,605 crore — comprising Rs 13,067 crore as voluntary domestic contributions and Rs 538 crore as foreign contributions. As of March 31, 2023, the fund held a closing balance of Rs 6,284 crore.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund |
| Created | March 27, 2020 |
| Registration | Public Charitable Trust (Registration Act, 1908) |
| Chairman | Prime Minister (ex-officio) |
| Ex-Officio Trustees | Ministers of Defence, Home Affairs, and Finance |
| Total Collections (FY 2019-20 to FY 2022-23) | Rs 13,605 crore |
| Closing Balance (March 31, 2023) | Rs 6,284 crore |
| Auditor | M/s SARC & Associates, Chartered Accountants |
Key Features
Legal and Administrative Structure
- Public Charitable Trust: Not a government fund — registered as a public charitable trust under the Registration Act, 1908.
- Chairman: Prime Minister of India (ex-officio).
- Trustees: Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Finance (all ex-officio). The fund also includes nominated trustees.
- Entirely Voluntary: Fund accepts only voluntary contributions from individuals, organisations, and corporates. No budgetary support from the government.
Tax and Regulatory Status
- Section 80G Exemption: Donations qualify for 100% income tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- CSR Expenditure: Contributions qualify as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013.
- FCRA Exemption: The fund is exempted from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, allowing it to accept foreign donations (maintained in a separate account).
Accountability and Transparency Controversies
- Not under RTI Act: PM CARES Fund has been classified as not a “public authority” under the Right to Information Act, 2005. RTI requests for donor names and contribution details have been denied.
- Not audited by CAG: The fund is audited by a private independent auditor (M/s SARC & Associates), not by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
- Limited Disclosure: While statements of receipts and payments are published, complete audit reports with balance sheets and income-expenditure statements have not been made fully public. Names of donors are not disclosed.
Financial Details
Collections (FY-wise)
| Financial Year | Voluntary Contributions | Foreign Contributions | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2019-20 | Rs 3,076 crore | Included | Rs 3,076 crore |
| FY 2020-21 | Data available in aggregate | Included | Aggregate figures |
| FY 2021-22 | Data available in aggregate | Included | Aggregate figures |
| FY 2022-23 | Rs 909.64 crore | Rs 2.57 crore | Rs 912 crore |
| Cumulative (4 years) | Rs 13,067 crore | Rs 538 crore | Rs 13,605 crore |
Key Expenditures (FY 2022-23)
- PM CARES for Children: Rs 346 crore
- Oxygen concentrators (99,986 units): Rs 91.87 crore
- Total expenditure (FY 2022-23): Rs 439 crore
Closing Balance
- As of March 31, 2023: Rs 6,284 crore (16% increase from previous year).
Major Initiatives Funded
- COVID-19 Response: Procurement of ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and PPE kits during the pandemic.
- PM CARES for Children: Support for children who lost parents/guardians to COVID-19 — education, health insurance, and financial assistance.
- Vaccine Administration: Contribution towards India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive.
- Oxygen Plants: Installation of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants in hospitals.
- Disaster Relief: Funds deployed for natural disaster relief across states.
Controversies and Debates
- RTI Exemption: Critics argue that a fund accepting public donations and CSR contributions should be subject to RTI scrutiny for transparency.
- CAG Audit Absence: The absence of CAG audit has been a sustained point of criticism from opposition parties and transparency advocates.
- Donor Anonymity: Non-disclosure of donor names raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
- Coercive Donations Allegations: Reports of government employees and PSU workers being pressured to donate have been raised in Parliament.
- Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court upheld the validity of PM CARES Fund and ruled it is not a “Government of India fund” but a public charitable trust, thus not amenable to CAG audit or RTI.
Latest Developments
- FY 2023-24 data not yet published: As of March 2026, the receipts and payments statement for FY 2023-24 has not been made public.
- FY 2022-23 audit: Fund received Rs 912 crore in donations; closing balance stood at Rs 6,284 crore.
- PM CARES for Children continues: Ongoing financial support for children orphaned by COVID-19.
- Transparency demands persist: Multiple RTI requests continue to be denied; calls for CAG audit and RTI coverage remain active in public discourse.
Prelims Importance
- PM CARES Fund created on March 27, 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic).
- Full form: Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund.
- Registered as Public Charitable Trust under Registration Act, 1908 — NOT a government fund.
- Chairman: Prime Minister (ex-officio). Trustees: Ministers of Defence, Home Affairs, Finance.
- Total collections (FY 2019-20 to 2022-23): Rs 13,605 crore. Closing balance (March 2023): Rs 6,284 crore.
- 100% income tax exemption under Section 80G; qualifies as CSR under Companies Act, 2013.
- Exempted from FCRA — can accept foreign donations.
- NOT a public authority under RTI Act; NOT audited by CAG.
- Auditor: M/s SARC & Associates (private chartered accountant firm).
Mains & Interview Importance
GS2 — Governance: Transparency and Accountability; Role of Civil Services
- Critically examine the accountability framework of PM CARES Fund. Should a fund accepting public donations and CSR contributions be subject to RTI and CAG audit?
- Discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling that PM CARES is not a government fund. What are the implications for transparency in public charitable trusts headed by constitutional authorities?
- Compare PM CARES Fund with the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) in terms of structure, transparency, and audit mechanisms.
GS4 — Ethics: Probity in Governance; Information Sharing and Transparency
- Analyse the ethical dimensions of a public trust headed by the Prime Minister being exempt from RTI and CAG audit while accepting CSR donations.
Interview Angle: “PM CARES Fund collected over Rs 13,000 crore but is exempt from both RTI and CAG audit. The Supreme Court has upheld this. Do you think there is a need for a new legal framework governing public trusts headed by constitutional functionaries?”