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Section 8 Company Registration in India

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Documents: PAN, Aadhaar, DSC, DIN, MOA & AOA, INC-12 Declaration

Fees: Starting from Rs 15,000 (zero stamp duty on MOA/AOA in most states)

Directors Required: Minimum 2 (Private) or 3 (Public)

Timeline: 15 - 25 Working Days

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Professionalism, attention to detail, and timely communication made the Section 8 registration process seamless and stress-free.
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Subhendu Mishra
Foundation Director
★★★★★
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“
Took minimum time for our non-profit registration. Really impressive acumen. And it's not expensive at all compared to other firms.
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Fantastic experience. The team handled all documentation for our charitable foundation registration and 12A/80G filing smoothly.
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Nishikant Gurav
Charitable Trust
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Best service for non-profit registration. The team is very responsive and handles everything end to end including CSR-1 and NGO Darpan.
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Preeti Singh Rathor
Education Foundation
★★★★★
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Professional and prompt responses throughout. They handled our Section 8 incorporation, 12A, 80G, and FCRA application seamlessly.
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Anita Gaur
Healthcare NGO
★★★★★
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Section 8 Company Registration - Overview

📌 TL;DR - Section 8 Company Registration Services at a Glance

A Section 8 Company is a non-profit organisation registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, for promoting commerce, art, science, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, environmental protection, or any other similar object. Under Section 8(1), the Central Government grants a license to register the company without adding 'Limited' or 'Private Limited' to its name. Profits must be applied towards promoting the company's objects under Section 8(1)(b) - no dividends to members. Registration is done via SPICe+ on the MCA portal. No minimum paid-up capital is required. Stamp duty on MOA/AOA is exempted in most states. Patron Accounting handles the end-to-end process in 15 to 25 working days.

A Section 8 Company is the most credible and structured form of non-profit organisation in India. Unlike trusts and societies, it is registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), regulated under the Companies Act, 2013, and audited by a statutory auditor - giving donors, government agencies, and CSR funders the highest level of confidence. With the Government of India's push for CSR compliance under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 (companies with net worth Rs 500 crore+, turnover Rs 1,000 crore+, or net profit Rs 5 crore+ must spend 2% of average net profit on CSR), Section 8 Companies are the preferred recipients of CSR funding. Patron Accounting has registered 500+ Section 8 Companies across India with offices in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram.

ParameterDetails
Governing LawCompanies Act, 2013 (Section 8); Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 (Rules 19-22)
Applicable ToNGOs, foundations, associations, educational institutions, charitable organisations
Minimum Directors2 (Private Limited) or 3 (Public Limited)
Minimum CapitalNo minimum paid-up capital required
Stamp DutyExempted on MOA/AOA in most states
Timeline15 - 25 Working Days
Regulatory AuthorityRegistrar of Companies (ROC), Central Registration Centre (CRC), MCA

Content is reviewed quarterly for accuracy.

What Is a Section 8 Company?

A Section 8 Company is a non-profit limited company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, for the purpose of promoting charitable objects such as commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, or environmental protection.

Under Section 8(1), the Central Government may grant a license to register a company with limited liability without requiring it to add 'Limited' or 'Private Limited' to its name, provided the company applies its profits (if any) or other income towards promoting its objects and prohibits payment of any dividend to its members under Section 8(1)(b). The company can use words like Foundation, Forum, Association, Federation, Chambers, Confederation, Council, or Electoral Trust in its name under Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.

Section 8 Companies are regulated by the ROC under the Companies Act, 2013, making them more credible than trusts and societies. They enjoy perpetual succession, separate legal entity status, limited liability for members, and exemption from CARO. Post the Companies (Incorporation) Sixth Amendment Rules, 2019, the Section 8 license is now issued along with the Certificate of Incorporation through SPICe+ - no separate INC-12 filing required for new companies.

Key Terms for Section 8 Company Registration:

Section 8 License: A license granted by the Central Government under Section 8(1) allowing a company to be incorporated without 'Limited' or 'Private Limited' in its name. Since the 2019 amendment, the license is issued simultaneously with the Certificate of Incorporation through SPICe+.

SPICe+ (INC-32): Simplified Proforma for Incorporating a Company Electronically Plus - the integrated MCA form for name reservation, incorporation, PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, and GST registration in a single application.

12A Registration: Registration under Section 12A/12AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, exempting the NGO's income from income tax. Application filed in Form 10A.

80G Certificate: Certificate under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, enabling donors to claim 50% or 100% tax deduction on donations.

CSR-1 Registration: Registration on MCA's CSR portal (Form CSR-1) enabling the Section 8 Company to receive CSR funds under Section 135. Requires valid 12A and 80G.

APL-05 Section 8 Company Registration
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Who Should Register a Section 8 Company?

  • NGO Founders: Social entrepreneurs seeking the most credible non-profit structure with corporate governance, statutory audit, and ROC compliance.
  • Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, vocational training centres, and research institutions operating on a non-profit basis.
  • Healthcare Nonprofits: Hospitals, clinics, and public health programmes serving underprivileged communities.
  • CSR Project Implementers: Entities seeking to receive CSR funds under Section 135. CSR-1 registration requires valid 12A and 80G.
  • Environmental Foundations: Organisations working on sustainability, conservation, renewable energy, and climate action.
  • Organisations Seeking Foreign Funding: Section 8 Companies can apply for FCRA registration to receive foreign donations.

Patron Accounting Section 8 Company Registration Services

ServiceWhat We Do
DSC and DIN for DirectorsDigital Signature Certificate and Director Identification Number for all proposed directors via the MCA portal
Name Reservation (SPICe+ Part A)Name ending with Foundation, Forum, Association, Federation, or similar words under Rule 8. Must reflect non-profit objectives
MOA and AOA DraftingMemorandum with non-profit objects under Section 8(1) and Articles with governance provisions including prohibition on dividend distribution under Section 8(1)(b)
SPICe+ Part B FilingIntegrated incorporation application with Section 8 license, PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, and bank account. License allotted at incorporation (post-2019 amendment)
12A, 80G, and CSR-1 RegistrationForm 10A filing for 12A and 80G with Income Tax Department, followed by CSR-1 registration on MCA portal
NGO Darpan and FCRARegistration on NITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal and FCRA application for foreign contribution eligibility
Our Process

7-Step Process for Section 8 Company Registration

From DSC procurement to 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 registration - Patron Accounting handles every step of your Section 8 Company incorporation.

Step 1

Obtain DSC and DIN for All Proposed Directors

Minimum 2 directors for a private limited Section 8 Company or 3 for a public limited Section 8 Company under Section 149. At least 1 director must be an Indian resident (182+ days in the preceding calendar year) under Section 149(3).

Class 3 DSC mandatory2-3 working days
DSC & DIN Ready01
Step 2

Reserve Company Name via SPICe+ Part A

The name must not include 'Limited' or 'Private Limited'. It must end with words like Foundation, Forum, Association, Federation, Chambers, Confederation, Council, or Electoral Trust under Rule 8. File 2 name preferences. Approval takes 2 to 3 working days.

Non-profit name format2-3 days approval
Sec 8
Name Reserved02
Step 3

Draft MOA and AOA

The MOA must specify non-profit objects per Section 8(1) - promotion of commerce, art, science, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, or environmental protection. The AOA must include prohibition on dividend distribution per Section 8(1)(b). No stamp duty on MOA/AOA in most states.

Non-profit objectsZero stamp duty
MOA/AOA Drafted03
Step 4

Prepare Director Declarations

Each director must provide: Consent to act as Director (DIR-2), Declaration of non-disqualification (DIR-8), and Declaration by first subscribers (INC-9). An affidavit declaring charitable objects and no profit distribution is also required.

DIR-2, DIR-8, INC-9Charitable affidavit
Declarations Ready04
Step 5

File SPICe+ Part B with ROC

Submit the integrated form with MOA (INC-33), AOA (INC-34), AGILE-PRO (for PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, GST, and bank account), registered office address proof, director documents, and subscriber details. Since the 2019 amendment, the Section 8 license is issued simultaneously with the Certificate of Incorporation.

Integrated SPICe+ filingLicense at incorporation
SPICe+ Filed05
Step 6

Receive Certificate of Incorporation with Section 8 License

The ROC at the Central Registration Centre (CRC), Manesar, Haryana processes the application and issues the Certificate of Incorporation with a unique CIN. The Section 8 License Number is allotted at incorporation. Total ROC processing: 10 to 15 working days.

COI with CINSection 8 License Number
Sec 8 Incorporated06
Step 7

Post-Incorporation - 12A, 80G, CSR-1, NGO Darpan, FCRA

Apply for 12A and 80G registration using Form 10A with the Income Tax Department. Register on the MCA CSR portal (Form CSR-1) for CSR funding eligibility. Register on NGO Darpan for government scheme access. If foreign funding is anticipated, apply for FCRA registration.

Tax exemption setupCSR funding ready
Fully Compliant07

Documents Required for Section 8 Company Registration

For Directors

  • PAN Card and Aadhaar Card of all directors
  • Passport-sized photographs
  • Address proof (bank statement / utility bill not older than 2 months)
  • DSC and DIN
  • DIR-2 (Consent) and DIR-8 (Declaration of non-disqualification)
  • INC-9 (Declaration by first subscribers)

For the Company

  • MOA with non-profit objects per Section 8(1) (e-MOA INC-33)
  • AOA with governance provisions per Section 8(1)(b) (e-AOA INC-34)
  • Registered office address proof (rent agreement with NOC from landlord or sale deed)
  • Utility bill of registered office (not older than 2 months)
  • Estimated income and expenditure statement for 3 years (may be required by ROC)
  • AGILE-PRO form for PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, GST, and bank account

Common Challenges and Solutions

ChallengeImpactHow Patron Accounting Solves It
Name rejection - name does not reflect non-profit characterFiling delays of 1-2 weeksOur CS team ensures names include Foundation, Forum, or Association per Rule 8, and avoids government patronage words
MOA objects not meeting Section 8(1) requirementsROC rejection and re-draftingWe draft MOA objects with precise charitable language aligned to Section 8(1) categories, ensuring first-time approval
Delay in post-incorporation complianceMissed CSR funding cycles and donor opportunitiesWe file 12A, 80G, CSR-1, and NGO Darpan concurrently, reducing gap by 60 to 90 days
Confusion between private and public limited Section 8Wrong structure for scale of operationsMost NGOs benefit from private limited Section 8 (simpler, 2 directors minimum). Public limited only for 7+ promoters

Section 8 Company Registration Fees

Fee ComponentAmount
DSC for 2 DirectorsRs 1,000 - Rs 2,000
DIN for 2 DirectorsIncluded in SPICe+
Name Reservation (SPICe+ Part A)Rs 1,000 (MCA fee)
Incorporation (SPICe+ Part B)Rs 0 (no fee for authorised capital up to Rs 15 lakh)
Stamp Duty on MOA/AOARs 0 (exempted in most states for Section 8)
PAN and TANIncluded in AGILE-PRO
12A + 80G RegistrationRs 5,000 - Rs 10,000 (professional fee; no govt fee)
Patron Accounting Professional FeesStarting from INR 9,999 (Exl GST and Govt. Charges)

All fees and charges listed are indicative only and do not constitute a binding offer. Final amounts may vary depending on the volume of work and the complexity involved.

Professional service charges for drafting, filing, and representation are separate from the statutory fees. The exact fee depends on the complexity of the case, disputed amount, and number of hearings required. Contact us for a detailed quote.

Get a free Section 8 Company Registration consultation - Call +91 945 945 6700 or WhatsApp us. No-obligation assessment.

Time Taken for Section 8 Company Registration

StageEstimated Timeline
DSC and DIN Procurement2 - 3 working days
Name Reservation (SPICe+ Part A)2 - 3 working days
MOA and AOA Drafting3 - 5 working days
SPICe+ Part B Filing and ROC Processing (CRC)10 - 15 working days
Total End-to-End15 - 25 working days
12A and 80G Registration (post-incorporation)30 - 60 additional days
CSR-1 Registration7 - 10 working days after 12A/80G approval

Pro Tip: Since the 2019 amendment, the Section 8 license is issued simultaneously with the Certificate of Incorporation through SPICe+ - no separate INC-12 filing needed. Patron Accounting files 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 concurrently to minimize the gap between incorporation and full operational readiness.

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PAN + TAN Application Govt ₹143
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Key Benefits

5 Benefits of Professional Section 8 Registration

Zero Stamp Duty Advantage

Section 8 Companies are exempt from stamp duty on MOA/AOA in most states - a direct cost saving of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 compared to regular company registration.

Concurrent 12A/80G Filing

We file for 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 immediately after incorporation, reducing the wait for tax exemption and CSR funding eligibility by 60 to 90 days.

CSR Funding Readiness

With 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 in place, your Section 8 Company becomes eligible to receive CSR funds from companies mandated under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.

ROC Compliance Setup

Annual return (AOC-4, MGT-7A), board meetings, and statutory audit setup are configured from day one - preventing penalties and ensuring compliance.

Donor Credibility

MCA-registered Section 8 Companies with statutory audit reports visible on the MCA portal provide the highest level of trust for domestic and international donors.

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Section 8 Company vs Trust vs Society

ParameterSection 8 CompanyTrustSociety
Governing LawCompanies Act, 2013 (Section 8)Indian Trusts Act, 1882 / State Trust ActsSocieties Registration Act, 1860
Registration AuthorityROC, MCA (Central)Sub-Registrar (Local)Registrar of Societies (State)
Minimum Members2 Directors + 2 Shareholders2 Trustees7 Founding Members
Separate Legal EntityYesNo (in most states)Yes
Limited LiabilityYes - limited to share capitalNo - trustees personally liableLimited to membership
Stamp DutyExempted on MOA/AOAApplicable on Trust DeedMinimal
Statutory AuditMandatoryNot mandatory (unless 12A registered)Not mandatory
Compliance LevelHigh - ROC filings, board meetings, auditLowModerate
Geographic ScopePan-India from incorporationLocal/StateState-specific
CSR Funding EligibilityYes (with 12A + 80G + CSR-1)Yes (with 12A + 80G + CSR-1)Yes (with 12A + 80G + CSR-1)
Best ForNationwide NGOs, CSR recipients, foreign-funded projectsProperty-based charity, religious trustsCommunity welfare, cultural bodies

Related Registration Services

Legal and Compliance Framework

Governing Act and Key Sections

  • Companies Act, 2013 (Section 8); Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 (Rules 19-22)
  • Section 8(1): Central Government may grant license to register a limited company for promoting charitable objects without 'Limited' or 'Private Limited' in name
  • Section 8(1)(b): Profits and income must be applied solely towards promoting the company's objects; no dividend to members
  • Section 8(2): Central Government may direct conversion if conditions violated
  • Section 8(4): Company shall not alter MOA/AOA without prior Central Government approval
  • Section 8(11): Penalty for contravention - fine between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore; every officer in default liable to imprisonment up to 3 years or fine Rs 25,000 to Rs 25 lakh

Tax Provisions

  • 12A registration under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961 - income exemption for registered NGOs
  • 80G registration - donors get 50% or 100% tax deduction on donations
  • Section 11: Income from property held for charitable purposes exempt, provided 85% of income applied for charitable objects
  • Section 13: Loss of exemption if income used for non-charitable purposes or for benefit of specified persons
  • CARO not applicable to Section 8 Companies

Regulatory Authority: Registrar of Companies (ROC), Central Registration Centre (CRC), Manesar, Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions - Section 8 Company Registration

Get answers to the most common questions about Section 8 Company registration, eligibility, costs, tax exemptions, and compliance.

Quick Answers

Can a Section 8 Company earn profits? Yes, but profits must be used only for promoting the company's charitable objects under Section 8(1)(b). No dividend distribution is permitted.

Is INC-20A required? Only for Section 8 Companies with share capital. Companies limited by guarantee are exempt and can begin operations immediately.

Can the MOA/AOA be amended? Only with prior approval of the Central Government under Section 8(4). Unauthorised changes can lead to revocation of the Section 8 license.

What happens if Section 8 conditions are violated? Under Section 8(2), the Central Government may direct conversion. Under Section 8(11), penalties include fine of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore and imprisonment up to 3 years for officers.

Why Register Your Section 8 Company Now?

Companies with net worth exceeding Rs 500 crore, turnover exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, or net profit exceeding Rs 5 crore are mandated to spend 2% of average net profit on CSR under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. Section 8 Companies with valid 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 registration are the preferred recipients of these CSR funds. Delay in registration means missing CSR funding cycles that typically align with the financial year (April to March). Early incorporation also builds the 3-year track record needed for FCRA registration and credibility with institutional donors.

Register your Section 8 Company today - Call +91 945 945 6700 or WhatsApp us for a free consultation.

Register Your Section 8 Company with Expert CA and CS Support

Section 8 Company Registration under the Companies Act, 2013, provides the most credible, structured, and compliant non-profit framework in India. With zero stamp duty, no minimum capital requirement, limited liability, statutory audit, and eligibility for 12A, 80G, CSR-1, and FCRA registration, it is the preferred choice for NGOs seeking domestic and international funding.

Patron Accounting's CA and CS team provides end-to-end Section 8 Company registration including DSC, DIN, SPICe+ filing, MOA/AOA drafting, 12A, 80G, CSR-1, NGO Darpan, and FCRA support. With 15+ years of practice, offices in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram, and 10,000+ businesses served, the firm delivers reliable, efficient registration across India.

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Section 8 Company Registration Across India

Register your Section 8 Company from any city with Patron Accounting's dedicated CA and CS support.

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Content Created: 10 March 2026  |  Last Updated:  |  Next Review: 10 September 2026  |  Reviewed By: CA & CS Team, Patron Accounting LLP

This page is reviewed every 6 months or when significant regulatory changes occur - including Companies Act amendment, MCA SPICe+ form changes, Income Tax Act 12A/80G rule changes, CSR threshold revision, FCRA amendment, or Companies (Incorporation) Rules update.

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