NGOs are legally established organizations that are generally considered to be non-profit-oriented groups whose ultimate purpose is to work for public interest towards the welfare of the public, child education, a social agenda, care of the environment, wildlife, etc. and they work independently from the Government. Generally, the activities of NGOs are to promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, undertake community development, and promote art, culture, and science in India. The full form of NGO is Non-Governmental Organization. NGOs are also referred to as Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) sometimes.


Advantages of NGO Registration

  • Reliability and Credibility
  • More Exposure to the Organization
  • Expansion of Scope/Area of Operations
  • Association with More Volunteers
  • Legal Entity

Requirement for NGO Registration in New Delhi

  • Reliability and Credibility
  • More Exposure to the Organization
  • Expansion of Scope/Area of Operations
  • Association with More Volunteers
  • Legal Entity

Types of NGO Registrations in India:

  1. Trust Registration
  2. Society Registration
  3. Section-8 Company (Foundation)

Trust Registration

The Indian Trust Act, 1882 governs the procedure of registration and maintaining the trust in India, although various states also enacted their own trust acts. Minimum members required for the registration of a Trust is 3 members. Further, the instrument by which this entire trust is created is called the “Trust Deed”.

Trust as an NGO in India can be registered as:

  • Private Trust: A private trust is basically a financial vehicle that transfers property from its owner to a trust for lawful purposes. The property doesn’t just mean real estate. It could be cash, shares, or any other valuable asset.
  • Public Trust: A public trust is set up as per the applicable Act and works in the field of healthcare, education, support of the underprivileged, and for charitable purposes.

Documents Required for Trust Registration in New Delhi

  • PAN Card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Electricity Bill of Registered Office

Society Registration

A Society NGO is incorporated under the Society Registration Act, 1860. Societies are formed to serve society and not to earn profits. A minimum number of 7 persons who are above 18 years of age can form a society or an association. There is no such limit for the maximum number of persons. The States have defined their own act for the formation of societies, and their scope of area of work is restricted to the State in which it is registered.

The Main Objectives of Society Registration Are As Follows:

  • Arts, Literature, Educational, Cultural, Charity, Fine Arts, and Crafts
  • Knowledge of Commerce and Industry
  • Promotion of Scientific Research and Temperament in Indian Society
  • Dissemination of Political Education and Training
  • Promotion of Sports-Related Activities
  • Diffusion of Any Knowledge or Any Public Purpose
  • Maintenance of Reading Rooms and Libraries
  • Preservation of Historical Monuments, Technical, and Philosophical Research

Documents Required for Society Registration in New Delhi

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Electricity Bill of Registered Office

Section-8 Company (Foundation)

In India, Section-8 Company is regulated by the Indian Companies Act, 2013, and is administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.

A Section-8 Company is formed with an objective to promote commerce, art, science, sports, research, education, religion, protection of the environment, charity, or any other social objective. Such companies intend to apply their income and profits in promoting their objectives and prohibit the payment of dividends to its members.

This type of NGO is favorable for those who want to work on a PAN India Basis and on a greater scale. Minimum members required to incorporate a Section-8 Foundation is 2 members.

Documents Required for Section-8 Foundation

  • Photograph
  • PAN Card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Bank Statement
  • Electricity Bill of Registered Office

Comparison Between Trust, Society, and Section-8 Foundation

S.No.ParticularsTrustSocietySection-8 Foundation
1Act GovernanceIndian Trust Act, 1882Societies Registration Act, 1860Companies Act, 2013
2MembersMinimum: 3Minimum: 7Minimum of 2 Directors/Shareholders
3JurisdictionState in which it is RegisteredState in which it is RegisteredPAN India
4Annual ComplianceBasic ITR FilingSociety Audit and ITRAudit and ROC Filing
5Registration DocumentTrust DeedSociety Certificate and ByelawsLicense, MOA, and AOA