NGO Registration in India
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NGO Registration in India
An NGO is a non-governmental organisation in India registered for a specific purpose, either educational, social, cultural, etc. An NGO can be registered as a society, trust, or a Section 8 company. Each ngo structure is governed by different laws and regulations, depending on the need. Individuals can register their non-profit organisation. Registering an NGO offers a new identity to the organisation, offering it rights to open a separate bank account.
NGO Darpan Portal by NITI Aayog is responsible for managing the NGO’s national and international recognition. In order to gain legitimacy and access government resources, it is important to keep the NGO Darpan ID and credentials. Also, it is important for NGOs to obtain GST registration if their threshold limit exceeds.
What is an NGO?
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) is an independent, non-profit institution established to work towards the betterment of society. These organisations focus on causes such as education, healthcare, women's empowerment, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, cultural development, and other welfare-driven initiatives. NGOs operate with the intention of creating social impact rather than generating financial returns.
In India, an NGO can be legally constituted as a Trust, a Society, or a Section 8 Company. Each of these forms is governed by separate statutory laws and compliance frameworks. Formal registration grants the organisation legal standing, allowing it to open a separate bank account, receive domestic and international donations, collaborate with institutions, and execute projects lawfully. A registered NGO also enjoys greater transparency, accountability, and public trust, which are essential for long-term sustainability.
Classification of NGOs in India
An NGO can be distinguished in three main categories, including trust, society, and a Section 8 company. Let’s understand their differences in detail:
| Criteria | Trust | Society | Section 8 Company |
| Main Objective | Charitable activities | Public welfare activities | Promotion of science, arts, sports, etc |
| Legal Act | Indian Trust Act, 1882 | Society Registration Act, 1860 | Companies Act, 2013 |
| Membership | Trustees | Members | Shareholders |
| Governing Body | Board of Trustees | Governing Council | Board of Directors |
| Important Rule Book | Trust Deed | Memorandum and By-laws | Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association |
NGO Registration Step-by-Step Procedure
Selection NGO Type
Choose the legal structure for your NGO, either a society, trust, or Section 8 Company, based on the objective and activity.
Document Preparation
Gather all the necessary documents for registration, including the memorandum of association, articles of association, identity proof, address proof, etc.
Apply Registration
Apply with required documents to the respective governing authority and respective sections, including the Societies Registration Act, Indian Trust Act, or Companies Act.
Verification and Approval
Once the application is submitted, the governing authority will verify the application and will approve the application once satisfied.
Compliance
Once the NGO is registered, maintain its compliance, including maintaining a proper bank account and other norms under the chosen act.
Documents Required for NGO Registration
To register a Trust/Society/Section 8 Company, the following is the list of documents required:
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Identification Documents: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, and address proof documents required for NGO Registration
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Organisational Documents: For NGO Registration, a trust needs to obtain a trust deed on stamp paper, a society needs to obtain a memorandum of association and rules of regulations, and for a section 8 company memorandum of association and article of association are needed.
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Property Documents: Property documents, including address proof such as rent agreement, NOC from the owner, utility bill of the office premises not older than 2 months, etc.
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Financial Documents: Financial documents such as bank account details, initial fund proof, affidavit of funding source, etc.
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Meeting Records: Minutes of Meeting (MoM), resolution for the formation of the organisation, and election record of the governing body members.
Eligibility Criteria for NGO Registration
To register as a society, trust, or section 8 company, NGOs must meet the eligibility criteria designed by the government. The eligibility criteria for NGO registration are as follows:
- Members: For NGO registration, a trust requires at least two trustees, while for a society, at least 7 members are required. In the case of a Section 8 company, there are a minimum of 2 directors and 2 shareholders required.
- Age Criteria: For NGO Registration, all founders must be at least 18 years or older and must be legally capable of entering into a contract.
- Objective: NGO must be registered for charitable, religious, educational, cultural, scientific, research, welfare purpose and not for profit purposes.
- Governing Documents: NGOs must draft proper documents, including a trust deed, a memorandum of association, article of association, depending on the business structure.
- Clean Record: To run an NGO, each founder or member should have a clean image and no criminal record.
Benefits of NGO Registration
Legal Recognition
Credibility
Tax Benefits
Grant Access
Sustainability
Partnership Opportunities
Timeline for NGO Registration
| Type of NGO | Time Required for NGO Registration |
| Trust | Around 20 Working Days |
| Society | Around 25 Working Days |
| Section 8 Company | Around 10-15 Working Days |
Conclusion
Registering an NGO in India is one of the crucial steps, as it is a non-profit organisation registered for a specific purpose. These purposes include science, social, art, culture, etc. An NGO in India can be registered as a Society, Trust, or a Section 8 Company. Each structure has its own specific purpose and features. NGO registration helps in gaining accountability and credibility and builds trust. It is advised to register an NGO to get legal identity and recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a look at the answers to the most asked questions.
