NGO Registration in Delhi

Quick Summary

Want to start a non-profit organisation in India's capital, but finding the NGO registration process in Delhi complex? You're not alone; India has over 2 million NGOs, one for every 600 people, making it a vibrant sector for social change. Registering an NGO in Delhi involves choosing between a Trust, a Society or a Section 8 Company, gathering the required documents, and filing with local authorities. At NGOExperts, we’ve simplified the NGO registration process in Delhi, from the Sub-Registrar’s office to the digital portals of the MCA. Here is your roadmap to becoming a legally recognised NGO.Read moreRead less

What is an NGO: Definition and Purpose

An NGO is a legally recognised group that operates independently of official government management to deliver services for social improvement and human well-being. These organisations use their unique position to connect public services and local community problems that official authorities do not address.

Types of NGO Registration Available in Delhi

Delhi offers three main legal structures for NGO registration: Trust, Society, and Section 8 Company.

Before you go on to how to register an NGO in Delhi, you should decide what to register. In India, three main legal structures exist, each governed by different laws and authorities.

1. Trust (Public Charitable Trust)

Governed by the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, a Trust is the oldest and simplest form. It is ideal for small groups where a founder transfers property for charitable purposes.

Best for: Schools, hospitals, or long-term family-led charities.
Delhi Context: Registered at the local Sub-Registrar's office

2. Society

Governed by the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (as applicable to Delhi). A society is a membership-based organisation, making it more democratic than a trust.

Best for: Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), sports clubs, or member-driven NGOs.
Delhi Context: Registered with the Registrar of Societies, Delhi Government.

3. Section 8 Company

This is the most prestigious NGO structure governed by the Companies Act, 2013. It has high credibility, especially for international funding.

Best for: Large-scale operations, research organisations, and professional social enterprises.
Delhi Context: Registered online through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal.

NGO Types Comparison Table

Aspect	Trust	Society	Section 8 Company
Minimum Members	2-3 Trustees	7 Members	2 Directors
Governing Law	Indian Trusts Act 1882	Societies Registration Act 1860	Companies Act 2013 (Sec 8)
Best For	Small, family charity ops	Community education/youth	Large-scale funding/CSR
Flexibility	Low (trustee-led)	High (elections)	Medium (board governance)
Compliance Level	Minimal	Moderate	High (annual filings)
Timeline	7-30 days	1-2 months	25-45 days

Eligibility Criteria for NGO Registration in Delhi

To ensure your application doesn't get stuck anywhere, you must meet the basic legal requirements to start an NGO in Delhi:

Age: All founding members/directors must be 18+ years old.
Citizenship: While foreigners can be members, the majority (especially in Societies) should ideally be Indian citizens for easier compliance.
Profit-Motive: The core objective must be non-profit (charity, education, social welfare, etc.).
Members Required:
Trust: Minimum 2 (Settlor and Trustee).
Society: Minimum 7 members (Delhi specific: usually requires 7 members from the same state for state-level registration).

Section 8: Minimum 2 Directors and 2 Shareholders.

Documents Required for NGO Registration in Delhi

Documentation is where 90% of applicants make mistakes. Here is your NGO registration document checklist, Delhi:

Common Documents for All:

Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, and Passport-sized photos of all members.
Address Proof of Members: Voter ID, Driving License, or Bank Statement (not older than 2 months).
Registered Office Proof:
If owned: Ownership deed or latest Electricity/Water Bill.
If rented: Rent Agreement and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landlord.

Structure-Specific Documents:

Trust: Trust Deed on non-judicial stamp paper (value varies based on property value).
Society: Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Rules & Regulations (Bylaws).
Section 8: Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), Director Identification Number (DIN), and drafted MoA/AoA (Forms INC-13/31).

Step-by-Step NGO Registration Process in Delhi

Here's the step-by-step process for registering an NGO in Delhi.

Trust: Draft Deed (objectives, trustees), execute on stamp paper, file at Sub-Registrar (settlor/witnesses present), get certified copy in 7-15 days.

Society: Pick a unique name, draft the MoA/Rules (7 signatories), submit to the Registrar of Societies, Delhi (online/offline), and receive approval in 1-2 months.

Section 8: Get DSC/DIN, name via RUN/SPICe+, file MoA/AoA, MCA license, and incorporation certificate in 25-40 days.

Government Authorities for NGO Registration in Delhi

Registrar of Societies, Delhi NGO registration: Decentralised to SDMs (e.g., SDM HQ North/South/Central). Sub-registrar trust registration Delhi: Local offices under the Stamps & Registration Department.

MCA section 8 company registration process: ROC Delhi via mca.gov.in. The revenue departments oversee the Delhi government NGO registration authority.

Benefits of Registering an NGO in Delhi

Registering an NGO in Delhi provides legal status, allowing for tax exemptions under sections 12A and 80G, eligibility for government grants and access to foreign funding (FCRA). It enhances credibility with donors, enables receipt of corporate CSR funds, and ensures perpetual succession, allowing the organisation to operate continuously.

Legal Recognition: The NGO becomes a separate legal entity, enabling it to own property, enter into contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.

Tax Exemptions (12A & 80G): Registered NGOs can apply for 12A certification to exempt income from tax and 80G certification, allowing donors to claim tax deductions.

CSR Funding Eligibility: Registered entities are eligible to apply for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from companies that require registration with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

Foreign Funding (FCRA): Registration is a prerequisite for obtaining approval under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which allows the receipt of international grants and donations.

Government Support: Registered NGOs can apply for government schemes, grants, and subsidies, often via the NGO Darpan portal.

Credibility and Trust: Official registration enhances trust, making it easier to attract donors, volunteers, and partners.

Perpetual Succession: The NGO continues to exist regardless of changes in its members or governing body.

Eligibility for CSR funding after NGO registration: Delhi saw ₹365 Cr CSR in 2020-21 alone. Govt grants for registered NGOs flow more easily with Darpan ID.