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Home / NGO & Social Sector / Society Registration
Last updated: 2 October 2026
A registered society suits member-based non-profits: associations, educational and cultural bodies, welfare groups and charitable organisations run by a governing body. It is registered with the State Registrar of Societies on the basis of a memorandum of association and rules and regulations. We draft the documents, file the application and plan the registrations that follow.
Under section 1 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860, any seven or more persons associated for a literary, scientific or charitable purpose, or for other purposes listed in section 20, can form a society by subscribing their names to a memorandum of association and filing it with the Registrar of Societies.
Several States have their own societies laws or amendments, and in Maharashtra and Gujarat charitable societies may also need registration under the State public trust law. Procedures, fees and document formats therefore vary by State, and the application is prepared for the State where the registered office will be.
A society is run by its governing body as set out in its rules and regulations. Registration gives the society a separate identity for holding property, opening a bank account and applying for tax registration, NGO Darpan, CSR-1 and FCRA.
Based on the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the State law or amendments applicable to the registered office. Last updated: 27 September 2026.
Societies Registration Act, 1860 and State laws
Seven (s.1)
Memorandum of association and rules and regulations
State Registrar of Societies
List of governing body members with the Registrar (s.4)
Separate registration under the Income-tax Act
The memorandum and bye-laws decide how the society is governed, how members join and leave, and how disputes are resolved.
Objects are written to match your activities and the requirements for tax registration.
Membership, elections, meetings and powers of the governing body are set out clearly.
Formats, fees and documents are prepared for the relevant State Registrar.
Related NGO services.
A simpler structure with trustees.
A non-profit company under the Companies Act.
Tax exemption and donor deduction approval.
Annual compliance for registered NGOs.
More in this section: NGO Darpan Registration · CSR-1 Registration & CSR-2 Filing
We confirm that a society suits your organisation.
Proposed names are checked with the State Registrar.
The memorandum and rules and regulations are drafted and finalised with you.
Members sign the memorandum and supporting documents.
The application is filed with the Registrar of Societies.
The registration certificate is issued; PAN and bank account follow.
Common next steps for a new society:
Provisional registration and 80G approval.
File the list of governing body members with the Registrar each year.
Books kept and audited by an independent CA as required.
For government schemes and CSR funding.
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At least seven persons under section 1 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Some State laws may have their own requirements.
No. Societies are registered by State Registrars, and several States have their own laws or amendments, so documents and fees vary.
No. The society must separately apply for registration under the Income-tax Act.
Yes. Property is vested in the governing body or trustees as the rules provide, for the purposes of the society.
A society suits member-based organisations with elections and a governing body. A trust suits a smaller group of founders who want control through trustees.
ACS – Director, Expertvuw Management Pvt Ltd
Drafting, registration and compliance filings are handled by Expertvuw’s team. Audits and certifications required by law are issued by independent Chartered Accountants, and registrations and approvals are granted by the authority concerned.