NGO (Trust / Society) Registration
Charitable trust or society registration with drafted deeds and bye-laws.
Business Setup
Section 8 Company (NGO) Registration
The most credible structure for an NGO. Register a Section 8 non-profit company to promote education, charity, social welfare, art, science or the environment.
- 15–25 working days
- No minimum capital
- Trusted by donors & CSR funders
- 12A & 80G guidance
What is a Section 8 Company?
A Section 8 Company is a non-profit company licensed under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. It is formed to promote commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity or protection of the environment. Profits must be applied only to these objects – no dividend can be paid to members.
Why choose a Section 8 Company for your NGO?
- Credibility: regulated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs with transparent annual filings, which donors, CSR teams and foreign funders prefer.
- No minimum capital requirement.
- Limited liability for members and a separate legal identity.
- Tax benefits: eligible for income tax exemption under 12A/12AB and donor deductions under 80G once registered.
- No stamp duty on the MOA and AOA in many states and no requirement to use “Limited” in the name.
Section 8 Company vs Trust vs Society
| Feature | Section 8 Company | Trust | Society |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Companies Act, 2013 | Indian Trusts / state trust laws | Societies Registration Act / state acts |
| Minimum people | 2 directors, 2 members | 2 trustees | 7 members (varies by state) |
| Regulator | Registrar of Companies | Sub-registrar / Charity Commissioner | Registrar of Societies |
| Credibility with CSR funders | Highest | Moderate | Moderate |
If a trust or society better suits your work, we can help with that too.
After registration
To receive tax-exempt donations, the company should apply for 12A and 80G registration. For CSR funding it must also register on the MCA portal (Form CSR-1) and, for foreign contributions, obtain FCRA registration once eligible.
Documents required for Section 8 Company
After you purchase, log in to My Account → My Services and upload each document below. Scanned copies or clear phone photos (PDF, JPG or PNG) are fine. Your files are stored privately and seen only by your assigned expert.
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PAN card of each director and member Clear copy Required
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Aadhaar card of each director and member Front and back Required
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Passport-size photograph of each director Recent photo Required
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Address proof of each director Bank statement or utility bill not older than 2 months Required
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Registered office address proof Utility bill of the office not older than 2 months Required
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Rent agreement or NOC from the property owner If the office is rented or owned by someone else Required
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Note on objects and planned activities A short description of the charitable work you plan to do – we will refine it Required
Section 8 Company process with Nevo Legal
Objects & structure
We help define the charitable objects and the board and membership structure.
DSC & name approval
Digital signatures for directors and name reservation with MCA.
Licence application
Draft MOA, AOA and declarations are prepared and filed for the Section 8 licence.
Incorporation
On approval, the company is incorporated with CIN, PAN and TAN.
Post-registration guidance
Roadmap for 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and Darpan registration.
What you get
- Section 8 licence and Certificate of Incorporation
- MOA and AOA of the company
- PAN and TAN of the company
- Post-incorporation compliance roadmap
Section 8 Company – frequently asked questions
Can a Section 8 Company pay salaries?
Yes. It can pay reasonable salaries to employees and professional fees for services. It cannot distribute profits or dividends to its members.
Is 12A and 80G registration automatic?
No. A Section 8 Company must apply separately to the Income Tax Department for 12A/12AB and 80G registration to get tax exemption and offer tax deductions to donors.
How many people are needed to form a Section 8 Company?
At least two directors and two members are required for a private Section 8 company. The same people can be both directors and members.
Can a Section 8 Company receive foreign donations?
Only after obtaining FCRA registration or prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which generally requires a track record of activities.
You may also need
All Business Setup services Related services
12A & 80G Registration
Tax exemption for your NGO and tax deductions for your donors.
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