NGO Registration Support — Society, Trust & Section 8 Company
Guidance to choose the right legal structure for your organisation and complete its registration — with support for governance documents, PAN / bank setup, a 12A/80G overview and ongoing compliance.
Guidance led by professionals with more than 20 years of institutional experience.
NGO registration & compliance support
Society registration
Guidance under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and applicable state rules.
Trust registration
Trust-deed preparation guidance under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.
Section 8 company
Section 8 formation under the Companies Act, 2013 with ROC filings.
12A / 80G overview
Guidance on tax-exemption registrations after your NGO is set up.
FCRA (foreign funds)
For NGOs planning to receive foreign contributions.
FCRA supportOngoing compliance
Records, filings and governance guidance after registration.
Choosing the right structure
Each structure has its own governing law, membership and authority. These are indicative and vary by state and current rules — we help you select what fits your objectives.
Society (Societies Registration Act, 1860)
- Suited to membership-based, educational, charitable or scientific work
- Typically a minimum of 7 members (varies by state)
- Registered with the Registrar of Societies (state-specific)
- Core documents: Memorandum of Association and rules / bye-laws
Trust (Indian Trusts Act, 1882)
- Suited to charitable and religious objects
- Typically a minimum of 2 trustees
- Trust deed executed on appropriate stamp paper and registered with the Sub-Registrar
- Core documents: trust deed, trustee ID and office address proof
Section 8 Company (Companies Act, 2013)
- Suited to structured NGOs seeking wider credibility and funding
- Typically a minimum of 2 directors and 2 members
- Registered with the Registrar of Companies (ROC); profits applied only to objects
- Core documents: MoA, AoA, DIN and digital signatures (DSC)
Documents generally required
- Identity and address proof of members / trustees / directors
- PAN of members / trustees / directors
- Registered-office address proof (and NOC from owner where applicable)
- Memorandum of Association / Articles / Trust Deed / bye-laws (as applicable)
- Passport-size photographs of key persons
- Objectives and proposed activities of the organisation
- DIN and DSC (for Section 8 companies)
Exact requirements may vary according to the authority, state, course, institution type and current rules.
Our NGO registration process
Consultation & entity selection
We understand your objectives, activities and funding plans, then recommend a suitable structure.
Documentation preparation
We assist in drafting the MoA / AoA / trust deed / bye-laws and preparing supporting documents.
Application submission
We help file the application with the relevant authority and handle procedural formalities.
Follow-up & approval
We follow up on the application and help respond to queries or objections until registration.
Post-registration compliance
Guidance on PAN, bank account, records, and the 12A/80G and FCRA routes where relevant.
Common issues we help you avoid
- Choosing a structure that does not fit your objectives or funding plans
- Object clauses that do not clearly support charitable / not-for-profit activity
- Incomplete member / trustee / director KYC
- Incorrect stamp-paper value on the trust deed (state-specific)
- Weak record-keeping that complicates later 12A/80G or FCRA steps
- Inconsistent governance documents and resolutions
How Legal SR Worlds assists
- Structure-selection guidance based on your objectives and funding plans
- Drafting support for governing documents
- Assistance with application submission and procedural formalities
- Guidance on PAN, bank setup and record-keeping
- Overview and guidance for 12A/80G and FCRA where applicable
- Ongoing compliance and governance guidance
Legal SR Worlds provides advisory, documentation and preparation support. Final approval, recognition, affiliation or registration remains subject to eligibility, documentation, inspection and the decision of the relevant authority.
Society vs Trust vs Section 8 Company
| Feature | Society | Trust | Section 8 Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing Act | Societies Registration Act, 1860 | Indian Trusts Act, 1882 | Companies Act, 2013 |
| Minimum members | 7 members (indicative) | 2 trustees (indicative) | 2 directors & 2 members (indicative) |
| Registration authority | Registrar of Societies (State) | Sub-Registrar (Local) | Registrar of Companies (Central) |
| Liability | As per the Act & bye-laws | As per the Act & deed | Limited |
| Compliance load | Moderate | Lower | Higher |
| Often suited to | Membership-based & charitable work | Charitable / religious objects | Structured NGOs seeking wider funding |
Member counts, timelines and stamp-duty values shown here are indicative and vary by state and current rules. The best structure depends on your objectives, funding plans and governance preferences.
Frequently asked questions
Which structure should I choose — Society, Trust or Section 8?
Is every NGO eligible for 12A/80G?
Do you guarantee registration?
Related services
Discuss Your Institution’s Current Compliance Stage
Share where your institution stands today and receive a free preliminary review of the approvals, affiliations, documentation and compliance steps that apply to your situation.
Preliminary reviews are guided by Dr. Sudhir Pawar and a team with more than 20 years of institutional experience.
Final approval, recognition, affiliation or registration remains subject to eligibility, documentation, inspection and the decision of the relevant authority. This page is informational and does not constitute a guarantee of outcome.
