How To Register An NGO In India?

Registering an NGO in India is quick, easy, and can be done online with Vakilsearch in 3 simple steps:

Right Entity Selection

We address all your queries about entity selection and guide you to choose the most appropriate one.

Step 1

Online Paperwork

We help you get the entire process of filing and registration completed.

Step 2

Registration

We will register the NGO and handle all the formalities (Trust Act, Society Registrations Act or the Companies Act, depending on the entity chosen).

Step 3

Overview
Registration Process
Benefits
Documents Required
NGO Package
FAQs
Why Vakilsearch
Recent Updates

NGO Registration Service in India– An Overview

An NGO is a non-government organization with a charitable objective, for the betterment of the society in general. It can be started as a Trust, a Society or a Non-Profit Company [Section 8 Company], depending on the activity you wish to undertake.

In India, NGO is an umbrella term for all non-profit organizations including Trust, Society and Section 8 Company. Other names for such not-for-profit organizations are "Sangathan", "Sangh", "Sangam". Income tax exemption is available for all non-profit NGOs.

These are sometimes confused with non-profitable companies, which refers to a regular business is not making a profit.

At Vakilsearch, we will help you select the right option and guide you through the entire NGO registration process.

Acts governing NGO registration process

Each law defines the formation of a different type of organization, namely – Trust Registration, Society Registration, and Section 8 Company Registration. Choosing the kind of registration procedure for the charitable firm is crucial. Our experts will help select the suitable option that befits your vision and guide you with the online registration process.

Why register an NGO in India?

Benefits

A registered NGO gains the legal status and becomes accountable for the funds received. For instance, when an individual donates funds to a charitable trust, it is received under the name of the organization and used for the trust’s activities. In an unregistered firm, the assets can be received under anyone’s name and may be used for their own profit.
An organization that is registered as an NGO reinforces the ethical, social and legal norms of our society.
The basic requirement for running an NGO is to have a bank account under its name. In order to open an account, it is mandatory to be registered as a Trust, Society or Section 8 Company.
The registration of an NGO is necessary to seek tax exemption from the Income Tax Authority.

Registration of NGO in India

Trust

One of the ways in which an NGO can be registered is Trust or more commonly called Charitable trust. Trust is a legal entity created by the “trustor” or “settlor” who transfers the assets to the second party or “trustee” for the benefit of the third party or “beneficiary”. Trusts are formed to help and support the deprived sections of the society. Any group of individuals can register a trust and in India as such there are no specific laws to govern the public trust, however, some states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have their own Public Trust Act.

Societies

A society is an entity that can be created by a group of individuals united in their cause for promoting science, arts, literature, social welfare and useful information. In addition, societies work for creating military orphan funds, maintaining public museum and libraries.

Societies are governed by the Societies Registration Act, 1860. They must be registered with the respective state Registrar of Societies to be eligible for tax exemption.

Section 8 Companies

A Section 8 company is similar to a trust and society. The objectives of a Section 8 Companies are to promote arts, science, commerce, sports, social welfare, religion, charity and environmental protection. They are registered under the Companies Act, 2013 for charitable purpose. They have better credibility among government bodies, donors and other stakeholders.

NGO Registration Methods in India - Trust, Society, or Non-profit Company [Section 8 Company]

A Detailed Process

In India, anybody is free to do social activities without forming an association or organization. But when an individual wants to create a group that involves volunteers, activities, and resources, it becomes important to have proper management in place. To run such companies, trusts and Societies in the correct manner, a certain set of rules need to be followed.

Essential documents for online society registration & trust registration

Before a registered deed is delivered to an NGO, submission of specific documents is required.

Trust Registration

For the trust registration, the following papers are mandatory:

A bill of electricity or water stating the address that needs to be registered.
The identity proof of at least two members of the company. The proof can be:
Driving License
Passport
Aadhaar Card

Once the payment for the registration is done, it takes about 8 to 10 days for online registration to be completed under the Indian Trust Act – 1882. Before the deed becomes valid throughout the country, the settler has to deliver a presentation at the registrar’s office.

Note:On the scheduled date for registration, the Author of the Trust shall be present in the Register Office for registration

Society Registration

For a society registration, the following papers are essential:

The name of the society.
Address proof of the office.
Identity proof of all the nine members which can be:
Driving License
Copy of Passport
Voter ID
Aadhaar card
Two copies of the Memorandum of Association and By-laws of the society.

Note:Once the payment for the registration is done, it takes about 8 to 10 days for drafting the MoA and By-laws of the Society. Thereafter it takes 21 to 30 days for the Society to be registered.

Section 8 Company:

For a Section 8 company registration, the following papers are essential:

The name of the Company for approval.
Address proof of the office. It can be electricity or water bill or house tax receipt.
Identity proof of all the Directors which can be:
Copy of Passport
Voter ID
Aadhaar card The Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of the Company.

Note:Once the payment for the registration is done, it takes about 8 to 10 days for drafting the MoA and AoA of the Society. Thereafter it takes about 2 months for the entire Company registration to be completed.

VakilSearch Online NGO Registration Package Includes

A full consultation to understand which registration would suit you best
All the paperwork needed to apply for an NGO registration, we will keep you informed about the entire process and progress.
We help you with all the processes and procedures needed for registering your NGO.

	TRUST	SOCIETY	SEC - 8 COMPANY
Governed by	Trust Act of each state	Societies Registration Act (State Law)	Companies Act, 2013
Members:	Minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 21 members	Minimum of 7 members and the maximum is unlimited	Minimum of 2 Directors/Shareholders
Jurisdiction:	Where the registered office of the Trust is situated. Before the Sub - Registrar or the District Registrar in the particular area or the Charity Commissioner.	Where the registered office of the Society is situated. Before the District Registrar in the particular area or the Charity Commissioner.	Online Registration
Document:	Trust Deed	Memorandum of Association, By-Laws, Forms	MoA and AoA
Board:	Founder or Author of the Trust, Managing Trustees (Treasurer, Auditor, etc.)	Executive Committee (President, Secretary, Vice President, Treasurer), General Body (All members)	Directors
Property Management:	The properties of the Trust will be managed by the Trustees, however, the properties cannot be sold by the Trustees without obtaining the permission from the court.	The property of the Society vests in the name of the Society and the same can be sold as per the terms mentioned in the By-laws of the society. (Eg: Approval from the Executive Committee Member)	The property of the company vests in the name of the Company and the same can be sold as per the rules mentioned under the Companies Act, (Eg: With the consent of the Board of Directors in the form of a resolution)
Revocation/ Dissolution or Winding Up	The trust is usually irrevocable in nature. For reasons like disqualification of trustees, the absence of trustees, mismanagement of the trust, the trust can be merged with another trust having a similar objective with the permission of the court.	Dissolution as per the By-laws of the society, upon dissolution and after settlement of all debts and liabilities, the funds and property of the society may not be distributed among the members of the society, rather, the remaining funds and property must be given or transferred to some other society, preferably one with similar objects.	Dissolution as per the By-laws of the society, upon dissolution and after settlement of all debts and liabilities, the funds and property of the society may not be distributed among the members of the society, rather, the remaining funds and property must be given or transferred to some other society, preferably one with similar objects.
Annual Compliance	There is no annual filing but the board of trustee must keep the books and accounts proper.	Societies must file annually, with the Registrar of Societies, a list of the names, addresses and occupations of their managing committee members.	There is a requirement of annual compliance by the filing of annual accounts and the return of company with the RoC.

Our team aims to provide the best legal consultancy services for all charitable, corporate and NGO firms across India. We maintain high ethical standards and work towards delivering every service within the promised time frame. We recommend you to give us a call or drop an email for the first free consultation. Our experts are available to serve you.

FAQs on NGO Registration

How can we help? - Why Vakilsearch

Consultation for selecting registration type

We do a thorough consultation to understand which registration would suit you the best- NGO / Society/ Trust registration.
We will inform you of all the documents required to complete the online NGO registration form

The final step is the formation of your NGO.

Recent Updates

Amended FCRA Regulation Makes it Mandatory for NGO Office-bearers to Submit Aadhaar numbers.

29 Sept 2020

As per the recent bill passed in the Lok Sabha, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has been amended to mandatorily submit Aadhaar numbers for NGO office-bearers, at the time of its registration.

The new act also prevents NGO from transferring foreign contributions to any person or organisation unless registered to accept these contributions.

March 6, 2020: NGOs Supporting Public Causes Can’t Be Penalised, Says Supreme Court

NGOs supporting public causes cannot be deprived of funds from foreign sources, the supreme court says, adding that organizations without political goals could not be called “an organization of political nature”

Feb 18, 2020: Budget 2020- Impact On NGO Or Charitable Organizations

The union budget and the finance bill 2020 has introduced significant changes for charitable trusts and organizations like a renewal of 12AA and 80G registration. They need to furnish a quarterly statement of donor wise donations, and issue the certificates to all the donors, etc.

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