Recommendation certificate requirement for foreign contribution applications mandates competent authority endorsement before permission or registration. The Rules amend Forms FC-1A and FC-8 to require an attached recommendation certificate, inserting items asking whether such a certificate is attached and prescribing a certificate form. The certificate requires the competent authority to certify an association's formation or activities, verify antecedents, confirm project locality and benefit or prior welfare expenditure, and recommend grant of prior permission or registration; permitted recommending authorities include the District Collector, a State Government Department, or a Government of India Ministry/Department.