Now you can read this page in Hindi.Change to हिन्दी
NGO Registration
A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is a non-profit organization, a group or entrepreneurship of activists, individuals, voluntary, and social persons working for a charitable cause.
Watch Video
400,000 +Business Served
4.3/5Google Ratings
EMIEasy EMI Options
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:
We address all your queries about entity selection and guide you to choose the most appropriate one.
We help you get the entire process of filing and registration completed.
We will register the NGO and handle all the formalities (Trust Act, Society Registrations Act or the Companies Act, depending on the entity chosen).
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
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:
- Voter ID
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:
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:
- Driving License
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
| 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
What to register - Trust, Society or Company?
Depending on the type of work you want to do, it is best to apply accordingly. For the best solution, contact one of our experts at Vakilsearch for a better understanding as to which registration method suits your NGO the best.
How to register NGO?
First, you would need to pick a name, then check to see if it is already registered. If the desired name doesn’t exist yet, you can proceed to apply with the Registrar for a Certificate of Incorporation. The easiest way of registering your Non-Government Organization is by doing it with Vakilsearch. We do all the work for you and you don’t have to bother about the running about for the process.
What are other alternatives to start and set up a Non-Profit Organisations?
If you do not want to start an NGO, you have other options by which you can help society. You can start a club, a volunteer service, be part of a local chapter of an already existing NGO and even be a fiscal sponsor.
Why do you need to register an NGO?
There are many reasons why it is better to register an NGO. One of the most important ones in funds. As an NGO you will receive funds from various quarters. The money you get from donors has to be put in a bank. To open a bank account under a company or an NGO, you need to have some documents. The registration of an NGO provides you with documents to show that funds are received in the NGO's name.
Can any government employees or officer be a member of NGO?
The answer to this question is yes. Government employees or officers can be part of NGOs provided the NGO is not anti-government. There are a few rules too that these people have to follow, one of them is to make sure that the NGO is not profit making.
How to open NGO?
Besides having the willingness to work for the welfare of society, legally, there are some procedures to follow, these are:-
- First, lay down the mission of your NGO, this means what cause you would like to take up.
- Form a governing body, this body ensure the smooth running of the NGO.
- Finally, register your NGO with the government authorities. This step can be long and painful. But, for a seamless experience, you can contact Vakilsearch.
Our experts will help you at every stage of the registration process.
How to register under Section 80G and Section 12A?
Check out the answer on how to register under Section 80G and Section 12A here.
What is the process of setting a co operative society?
Click here to know the process of setting a co operative society.
How to start an NGO in India?
Get to know about the steps involved in starting an NGO.
What are the things to know before starting an NGO in India?
Know more about the things to know before starting an NGONGO in India.
How can we help? - Why Vakilsearch
Consultation for selecting registration type
The final step is the formation of your NGO.
Recent Updates
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.
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”
Trusted by 400,000 clients and counting, including …
By continuing past this page, you agree to our Terms of Service, Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, Refund Policy and Content Policies. © 2020 - Uber9 Business Process Services Private Limited. All rights reserved.