NGO Registration
NGOs are legally established organizations typically focused on non-profit goals aimed at serving the public interest. Their activities include child education, environmental conservation, wildlife protection, social agendas, and other welfare initiatives. NGOs operate independently from the government, with a focus on promoting the interests of the underprivileged, providing basic social services, community development, and fostering the arts, culture, and science. NGOs are also known as Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs).
Advantages of NGO Registration
- Reliability and Credibility
- Increased exposure for the organization
- Expansion of operational scope/area
- Ability to associate with more volunteers
- Legal Entity status
Requirements for NGO Registration in India
- Reliability and credibility
- Increased exposure for the organization
- Expansion of operational scope/area
- Ability to associate with more volunteers
- Legal Entity status
Types of NGO Registrations in India:
- Trust Registration
- Society Registration
- Section-8 Company (Foundation)
Trust Registration
The Indian Trust Act, 1882 governs the process of trust registration and maintenance in India, although several states have their own trust acts. A minimum of 3 members is required for trust registration. The document that creates the trust is called the “trust deed.”
Types of Trusts in India:
- Private Trust: A private trust transfers property from its owner to a trust for lawful purposes. The property can include real estate, cash, shares, or other valuable assets.
- Public Trust: A public trust is established according to the applicable Act and works in sectors like healthcare, education, and support for the underprivileged or charitable causes.
Documents Required for Trust Registration in India:
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Electricity Bill of Registered Office
Society Registration
A society NGO is incorporated under the Society Registration Act, 1860. Societies are formed to serve society and are non-profit organizations. A minimum of 7 persons above the age of 18 can form a society or association. There is no maximum limit for the number of members. States have their own acts for the formation of societies, and their scope of operations is usually restricted to the state of registration.
Objectives of Society Registration:
- Arts, literature, education, culture, charity, fine arts, and crafts
- Knowledge of commerce and industry
- Promotion of scientific research and temperament in society
- Political education and training
- Promotion of sports activities
- Diffusion of knowledge for public purposes
- Maintenance of libraries and reading rooms
- Preservation of historical monuments and research
Documents Required for Society Registration in India:
- Aadhaar Card
- Electricity Bill of Registered Office
Section-8 Company (Foundation)
A Section-8 Company in India is regulated by the Indian Companies Act, 2013 and administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. A Section-8 Company is formed to promote activities like commerce, art, science, sports, research, education, religion, environmental protection, charity, and more. The company must reinvest its profits in its activities and prohibit the payment of dividends to its members.
This type of NGO is ideal for those who want to operate on a PAN India basis or on a larger scale. A minimum of 2 members is required to form a Section-8 Foundation.
Documents Required for Section-8 Foundation
- Photograph
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Statement
- Electricity Bill of Registered Office
Section-8 Company (Foundation)
| S.no. | Particulars | Trust | Society | Section-8 Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Act Governance
|
Indian Trust Act, 1882
|
Societies Registration Act, 1860
|
Companies Act, 2013
|
|
2 |
Members
|
Minimum: 3
|
Minimum: 7
|
Minimum: 2 Directors/Shareholders
|
|
3 |
Jurisdiction
|
State in which it is Registered
|
State in which it is Registered
|
PAN India
|
|
4 |
Annual Compliance
|
Basic ITR Filing |
Society Audit and ITR
|
Audit and ROC Filing
|
|
5 |
Registration Document |
Trust Deed
|
Society Certificate and Byelaws
|
License, MOA, and AOA
|