Section 8 Company
A non-profit company – the most trusted structure for NGOs.
NGO Registration – Trust & Society Registration
Register your NGO, charitable trust or society with lawyer-drafted trust deeds and bye-laws, and get guidance on tax exemption and funding registrations.
- 15–30 working days (state-wise)
- Trust deed or bye-laws drafted
- Registration support
- 12A & 80G guidance
Register your NGO the right way
An NGO can be registered in India as a charitable trust, a society or a Section 8 company. Trusts and societies are quicker and simpler to set up and are well suited to local charitable, educational, religious and community work. Nevo Legal drafts your trust deed or memorandum and bye-laws and guides you through registration in your state.
Trust registration
A public charitable trust is created by a settlor through a trust deed that names the trustees and sets out the objects. The deed is executed on stamp paper and registered with the sub-registrar (and, in some states, with the Charity Commissioner). A trust needs at least two trustees and is controlled by its trustees, which makes it suitable when a small founding group wants to retain control.
Society registration
A society is a membership organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or the applicable state law. It needs a minimum number of members (generally seven), a memorandum of association and rules and regulations (bye-laws), and is governed by an elected managing committee. Societies suit associations, clubs, educational and cultural bodies where wider participation is important.
Which should you choose?
- Choose a trust for a closely controlled charity with a defined purpose.
- Choose a society for a member-driven organisation with elections and wider participation.
- Choose a Section 8 company if you expect large institutional, CSR or foreign funding and want the highest credibility.
After registration
Apply for 12A and 80G registration to get income tax exemption and let donors claim deductions, register on NGO Darpan for government grants, and file Form CSR-1 to be eligible for CSR funding.
Documents required for NGO (Trust / Society) Registration
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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ID proof of each trustee / member PAN card and Aadhaar card Required
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Address proof of each trustee / member Aadhaar, passport or a recent utility bill Required
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Passport-size photograph of each trustee / member Recent photo Required
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Registered office address proof Utility bill or property tax receipt of the office Required
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NOC from the property owner Permission to use the premises as the NGO’s office Required
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Objectives and activities of the NGO A short note on what the NGO will do – we will draft the clauses Required
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Proof of settlor’s initial contribution For trusts: details of the initial corpus If applicable
NGO (Trust / Society) Registration process with Nevo Legal
Choose trust or society
We understand your goals and recommend the right form for your state.
Drafting
Trust deed or memorandum and bye-laws drafted around your objectives.
Review & execution
You review the draft; we guide you on stamp duty and signing.
Registration
Application filed with the sub-registrar or Registrar of Societies.
Certificate & next steps
Registration certificate plus a roadmap for PAN, bank account, 12A and 80G.
What you get
- Lawyer-drafted trust deed or memorandum & bye-laws
- Registration certificate
- PAN application guidance for the NGO
- 12A, 80G and Darpan roadmap
NGO (Trust / Society) Registration – frequently asked questions
How many people are needed to register an NGO?
A trust needs at least two trustees. A society generally needs at least seven members, although the number can vary by state. A Section 8 company needs two directors.
Is a trust or a society better for an NGO?
Trusts are simpler and controlled by trustees; societies are democratic and member-driven. The right choice depends on how you want the organisation to be run.
Can an NGO get tax exemption?
Yes. After registration, an NGO can apply for 12A/12AB registration for income tax exemption and 80G so that donors can claim deductions.
Can a trust be registered online?
We prepare everything online, but execution and registration of a trust deed usually require the settlor and witnesses to appear before the sub-registrar. We guide you through that visit.
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