Start your non-profit journey with professional assistance for Trust, Society and Section 8 Company registration, matched to your funding plan.
Tell us about your mission and funding plan, and our experts will help you choose the right structure.
India has no single "NGO Act". Every non-profit is registered under one of three laws, and the right one usually follows your funding plan.
A corporate non-profit structure suited to organisations expecting CSR, institutional or government funding, or working across multiple states.
The fastest and simplest route for a founder-led charitable initiative, created by a deed registered before the Sub-Registrar.
A membership-based structure for organisations that should be run by an elected governing council answerable to a general body.
Registration gives your organisation legal personality of its own, separate from its founders, and is the foundation for tax exemption, grants and donor confidence.
A registered NGO can hold property, a bank account and enter contracts in its own name, subject to applicable law.
Registration is a precondition for applying for income-tax exemption and donor deduction approvals.
A formal structure can increase confidence among individual donors, CSR teams and grant-making bodies.
Registered NGOs can pursue CSR funding, government grants and, where eligible, foreign contributions.
The three structures set side by side on the factors that usually decide the choice.
| Parameter | Trust | Society | Section 8 Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing law | State trust law | Societies Registration Act, 1860 | Companies Act, 2013 |
| Registering authority | Sub-Registrar | State Registrar of Societies | MCA / RoC |
| Minimum people | Settlor + 2 trustees | 7 subscribers | 2 directors + 2 members |
| Typical timeline | 7–15 working days* | 15–20 working days* | 15–20 working days* |
| Separate legal entity | No | Yes | Yes |
| Limited liability | No | No | Yes |
| Operates across states | No | No | Yes |
| Preferred for CSR funding | No | No | Yes |
| Ongoing compliance | Lightest | Moderate | Heaviest |
*Timelines are indicative and can vary by state, documentation and regulatory review.
Registration creates the organisation. These additional registrations are generally what make it eligible to receive certain kinds of funding.
Assistance with applying for income-tax exemption for the organisation.
Support with the approval that allows donors to claim a tax deduction.
Assistance with registering on the NITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal.
Support with filing for a CSR Registration Number to receive corporate CSR funds.
Guidance on eligibility and preparation for foreign contribution registration.
Guidance for opening the organisation's bank account after registration.
The common set is broadly similar across all three structures. The constitution document itself is what differs.
Check Your Documents →Our guided process keeps your NGO registration journey structured and easy to understand.
Tell us about your mission, founders and funding plan.
Choose between Trust, Society and Section 8 Company based on your requirements.
Submit the required information and documents for preparation.
Applications are prepared and filed with the relevant authority.
Receive your registration documents after successful processing.
We focus on making NGO registration simple, transparent and easier to manage, from structure to first grant.
We start with your funding plan, since the structure decision is the hardest one to reverse later.
Clear information about documents, fees and the steps involved.
Get assistance throughout the registration journey.
Continue your journey with 12A/80G, compliance and other NGO services.
Once your NGO is registered, ongoing compliance becomes an important part of keeping it active, compliant and eligible for tax benefits.
NGO registration is the legal process of giving a charitable initiative a formal structure, generally as a Trust, Society or Section 8 Company, under the applicable governing law.
It generally depends on your funding source, governance preferences and whether you plan to operate across states. Our experts can help you compare the options.
A residential address may be used as a registered office where applicable, subject to the required documentation and legal requirements.
Typical requirements can include identity proof, address proof, photographs and registered-office documents. Exact requirements depend on the structure and applicant.
Processing time depends on the structure, documentation, government verification and whether additional clarification is required.
Depending on the structure and activities, you may need to complete post-registration filings, tax-exemption applications, banking and ongoing compliance requirements.
Get expert assistance with NGO registration and take the first step towards your mission.
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