NGO registration in India isn't a single process; it's a choice among three distinct legal paths: a Trust, a Society, or a Section 8 Company, each with its own laws, costs, and paperwork. Each option has different costs, documents, and registration steps. This guide explains all three so you can choose the right structure from the beginning.
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NGO registration in India costs ₹5,000–₹10,000 for a Trust, ₹10,000–₹25,000 for a Society, or ₹8,000–₹15,000 for a Section 8 Company, and takes 7–45 days, depending on the structure. A trust is fastest and cheapest for solo founders; a Section 8 costs more but wins CSR and institutional funding. Budget separately for NGO Darpan (free) and RNPO/80G approval (₹5,000–₹10,000) right after.
What Does NGO Registration in India Actually Mean?
NGO registration in India does not refer to a single government license or authority. Instead, it means legally registering your non-profit under one of three recognised frameworks, depending on your objectives and governance model.
- A Trust is registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (or the applicable state public trust law where relevant).
- A Society is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (or the respective state societies registration law).
- A Section 8 Company is incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
This means NGO registration fees in India are not fixed; they vary by structure.
Not sure which legal path fits your cause? Talk to NGOExperts for a free structure assessment.
Which NGO Registration Structure Should You Choose?
The choice of NGO registration structure determines your costs, paperwork, and how credible you look to big donors.
| Structure | Law | Minimum People | Regulator | Typical Cost | Timeline |
| Trust | Indian Trusts Act, 1882 | 2 trustees | State Sub-Registrar | ₹5,000–₹10,000 | 7–15 days |
| Society | Societies Registration Act, 1860 | 7 members | Registrar of Societies | ₹10,000–₹25,000 | 20–30 days |
| Section 8 Company | Companies Act, 2013 | 2 directors + 2 members | MCA | ₹8,000–₹15,000 | 20–45 days |
- Choose a Trust for a small, founder-led cause. See our guide to starting a small NGO if that's you.
- Choose a Society for community or membership-driven work.
- Choose a Section 8 Company if you're chasing CSR funds or large institutional donors from day one; corporates prefer it for its audited, ROC-monitored governance.
Confused About Which NGO Structure Is Right for You?
Compare Trust, Society, and Section 8 Company registration and choose the right structure for your NGO.
What Is the Trust Registration Process and Fee?
Trust registration is the simplest and cheapest route, built for just two people.
- Choose two or more trustees and draft a Trust Deed stating your charitable purpose.
- Buy e-stamp paper for the deed (value depends on your state).
- Register the deed at your local Sub-Registrar office.
- Apply for PAN and open a bank account in the Trust's name.
Trust fee breakdown: stamp duty ₹100–₹2,000, registration fee ₹500–₹2,000, and deed drafting (if you hire help) ₹2,000–₹6,000, a total of roughly ₹5,000–₹10,000, ready in 7–15 working days.
What Is the Society Registration Process and Fee?
Society registration suits a larger, membership-based group with elected office bearers.
- Gather at least seven members and elect a President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
- Draft a Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations.
- Submit the application to your state's Registrar of Societies, online or offline depending on the state.
- Apply for PAN and open a bank account once the registration certificate arrives.
Society fee breakdown: government filing fee ₹500–₹5,000 (varies sharply by state), plus stamp duty and drafting support of ₹2,000–₹5,000 — a total of roughly ₹10,000–₹25,000, ready in 20–30 working days.
What Is the Section 8 Company Registration Process and Fee?
Section 8 Company registration is the most credible structure, built for CSR funding and institutional grants.
- Get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and Director Identification Number (DIN) for each director.
- Reserve your name and file incorporation through the MCA's SPICe+ form.
- Draft your Memorandum and Articles of Association with clearly stated charitable objects.
- Receive your Section 8 license and Certificate of Incorporation together.
- Apply for PAN, TAN, and a dedicated bank account.
Section 8 fee breakdown: DSC for 2 directors ₹3,000, name reservation and MCA filing ₹1,000–₹2,000, drafting and professional fees ₹3,000–₹13,000, and government/state fees ₹1,000–₹2,000, a total of roughly ₹8,000–₹15,000, ready in 20–45 working days.
What Are the Post-Registration Costs Every NGO Should Budget For?
Post-registration costs are what most guides skip, but the real running costs start right after incorporation. If you're registering on a very tight budget, our guide on starting an NGO without money covers free and low-cost ways to handle several of these steps.
| Post-Registration Step | Typical Cost |
| NGO Darpan listing | Free |
| RNPO (12A/80G-equivalent) approval | ₹5,000–₹10,000 |
| CSR-1 filing (for CSR eligibility) | ₹1,000–₹3,000 |
| FCRA registration (foreign funds, after 3 years) via FCRA Online | ₹10,000 and above |
| Bank account opening | Around ₹500 |
| Annual audited accounts | ₹2,000–₹8,000 per year |
Can You Switch NGO Structures After Registering?
This is the one question most guides skip, and it can save or cost you months of rework.
- A Trust cannot be directly converted into a Society or Section 8 Company.
- To change from a Trust, you usually need to register a new entity and transfer the assets and activities.
- A Society may be converted into a Section 8 Company, subject to MCA approval and legal requirements.
- Some founders start with a Society and later move to a Section 8 Company when CSR funding becomes more realistic.
- Choosing the right structure at the beginning can save time, cost, and legal work later.
What Does a Real NGO's Structure Choice Look Like in Practice?
Pratham Education Foundation, one of India's largest education NGOs, is registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 (incorporated in 2002, CIN U80101MH2002NPL136300). That structure gave it the audited, MCA-monitored governance that large corporate donors, government partners, and international foundations wanted to see before funding at scale. Today, Pratham works with millions of children across India to improve literacy and learning outcomes, while maintaining tax-exempt status under the Income Tax Act. The extra paperwork of a Section 8 Company at the start bought it the scale a simple Trust would have struggled to reach.
What Mistakes Push Up NGO Registration Costs?
A few avoidable errors are why some founders pay far more than they needed to.
- Picking Section 8 for a small, local cause that a Trust could handle for a fraction of the cost
- Registering as a Trust when your growth plans clearly need a Society or Section 8 Company, forcing a costly rebuild later
- Hiring full drafting services when a template plus a short legal review would do
- Forgetting to budget for RNPO, CSR-1, or FCRA costs that come right after registration
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which NGO structure is cheapest to register in India?
A Trust, typically ₹2,000–₹10,000, since it needs only two people and light paperwork.
How long does NGO registration take in India?
It takes 7–15 days for a Trust, 20–30 days for a Society, and 20–45 days for a Section 8 Company.
Do registration fees vary by state?
Yes, stamp duty and Society filing fees, in particular, vary significantly across states.
Can a Trust be converted into a Section 8 Company later?
No, not directly; a Trust must be replaced with a new entity. A Society, however, can convert into a Section 8 Company with MCA approval.
Is NGO Darpan registration part of the registration fee?
No, Darpan listing is free, but it's a separate step you complete after your Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company is registered.
Which NGO structure is best for CSR funding?
A Section 8 Company is generally preferred because it offers stronger governance, credibility, and a corporate-style legal structure.
Author
Aabha Garg
A Content Strategist at NGOExperts, who focuses on NGO registration, 12A and 80G registration, FCRA compliance, income tax filing for non-profits, and CSR funding guidelines in India. I research and write our compliance guides in collaboration with our in-house Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries, so every article reflects current tax and regulatory requirements for the NGO and non-profit sector.
Written by Aabha Garg. Last updated on July 30, 2026
