Types of NGO Registration in Mumbai
In Mumbai, you can register an NGO as
- Public Charitable Trust
- Society
- Section 8 Company (non-profit company)
Each option has its own law, authority, and level of credibility.
Trust Registration (Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950)
For most charitable NGOs in Mumbai, public charitable trust registration is very common. Trusts in Maharashtra are governed by the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950 (earlier known as the Bombay Public Trusts Act).
Key points (public charitable trust registration in Mumbai):
- Authority: Office of the Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra (Mumbai office at Worli for the city region).
- Application: Prescribed form (Schedule II) to be filed within 3 months of trust deed execution, along with court-fee stamp and nominal registration fee.
- Trust Deed: Executed on non-judicial stamp paper (value depends on trust property/value as per Maharashtra stamp rules).
Typical requirements for how to register a trust in Mumbai:
- At least 2–3 trustees are generally kept as a practical minimum, even if the law does not fix a strict upper limit.
- The trust deed must clearly mention the name, objects, trustee details, mode of succession, and use of income for public charitable purposes.
Society Registration (Societies Registration Act, 1860)
Societies are suitable when you want a democratic membership-based NGO with many members. In Maharashtra, societies are registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and are also usually required to register as public trusts under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act.
Important points (society registration for NGOs in Mumbai):
- Minimum members required: At least 7 founding members to form a society.
- Authority: Registrar of Societies / Charity Commissioner in Maharashtra.
- Documents required for society registration in Mumbai: Memorandum of Association (MOA), Rules & Regulations, ID & address proof of members, office address proof, NOC from owner, photographs, etc.
Because societies in Maharashtra often also need trust registration, many founders either register directly as a trust or choose a Section 8 company for greater structure.
Section 8 Company Registration (Companies Act, 2013)
A Section 8 Company is a special kind of nonprofit company under the Companies Act, 2013, formed for charitable objects and prohibited from distributing profits to members. This is often seen as the most credible structure for larger NGOs, especially those working with corporates, CSR, and international agencies.
Key aspects (section 8 company registration in Mumbai / Maharashtra):
- Authority: Registrar of Companies (ROC) via the MCA online portal (SPICe+ form).
- Minimum: 2 directors and 2 members are typically required.
- Process: Name approval, drafting MOA (INC-13) and AOA, applying for Section 8 license, and incorporation via SPICe+.
- Benefits of a Section 8 company: Strong governance, better perception by donors, clear compliance framework, and wider acceptance for CSR projects
