NGO Registration Online Process in India
The NGO registration process in India depends on the legal structure and the state in which the organization is registered. A Trust is generally registered with the Sub-Registrar or relevant state authority, a Society with the Registrar of Societies, and a Section 8 Company online through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the Companies Act, 2013.
Here is the simplified step-by-step NGO registration process:
Step 1: Define Your NGO’s Objectives
Decide the main purpose of your NGO, such as education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, child welfare, environmental protection, poverty relief, or other charitable activities.
Step 2: Choose the Right Legal Structure
Select the NGO structure that best suits your objectives:
- Trust: Suitable for charitable, religious, and welfare activities.
- Society: Suitable for member-based social, educational, cultural, and community organizations.
- Section 8 Company: Suitable for professionally managed NGOs, CSR projects, and institutional grant funding.
Step 3: Choose a Unique NGO Name
Select a meaningful name that is neither identical to nor too similar to an existing NGO, company, LLP, or registered trademark.
For a Section 8 Company, the proposed name is applied for and approved by the MCA as part of the incorporation process, subject to the Companies Act, 2013, and the Companies (Incorporation) Rules.
Step 4: Draft the Object Clause
Prepare clear objective clauses that explain the charitable activities your NGO plans to undertake.
These objectives are included in the Trust Deed for a Trust, the Memorandum of Association for a Society, and the Memorandum of Association for a Section 8 Company.
Step 5: Arrange the Required Documents
Keep the PAN, Aadhaar, identity proof, address proof, photographs, and registered-office documents of the founders or governing members ready.
For a Section 8 Company, Digital Signature Certificates are required for the subscribers, proposed directors, and authorized signatories who must sign the incorporation forms. DINs are generally allotted through the incorporation application if the proposed directors do not already have them.
Step 6: Prepare the Legal Documents
Prepare the legal documents according to the selected structure:
- Trust: Trust Deed.
- Society: Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations.
- Section 8 Company: Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, declarations, directors’ consent, financial estimates, and registered-office documents.
The documents should clearly state that the NGO is formed for charitable purposes and that its income will be used to promote its objectives.
Step 7: Submit the Registration Application
File the application with the appropriate registration authority:
- Trust: Submit the Trust Deed and documents to the Sub-Registrar or the relevant state authority.
- Society: Submit the application to the Registrar of Societies in the relevant state.
- Section 8 Company: File the incorporation application electronically on the MCA portal using the integrated incorporation application and linked forms, as applicable.
For a Section 8 Company, the NGO registration online application is filed through the MCA portal
For a new Section 8 Company, a separate Form INC-12 is generally not required, as the license application is processed through the integrated incorporation system.
Step 8: Authority Verification
The registration authority checks the NGO’s proposed name, objectives, declarations, and supporting documents. If any information is missing or incorrect, the applicant may be asked to provide additional documents or correct the application before approval.
Step 9: Receive the Registration Certificate
After approval, the NGO receives the applicable registration document:
- Trust: Registered Trust Deed or registration certificate, depending on the applicable state process.
- Society: Society Registration Certificate.
- Section 8 Company: Certificate of Incorporation containing the Corporate Identity Number. The Section 8 license is granted through the integrated incorporation process, and PAN and TAN are generally allotted at the time of incorporation.
Step 10: Complete Post-Registration Compliance
After registration, open a bank account in the NGO’s name, maintain proper books of account and records, hold the required meetings, and complete the applicable annual filings.
Note: NGO registration rules, documents, and timelines may differ by state, legal structure, and future government or MCA updates.
What do you need to do after NGO registration is complete?
Getting the NGO registration certificate is only the first step. After registration, the NGO should also manage basic compliance.
- PAN: Needed for tax identity and bank account-related work.
- Bank account: Required to receive and manage NGO funds properly.
- Books of account: Proper accounting helps build donor trust and meet audit requirements.
- Donation records: Donation receipts and donor details should be maintained carefully.
- Meeting records: Trust, Society, or Section 8 meetings should be recorded properly.
- NITI Aayog / NGO Darpan: Useful for creating an official NGO profile and government-related visibility.
- 12A registration: Helps eligible NGOs claim income tax exemption.
