Company & Entity Registration

NGO / Society Registration

Give your social cause a legal identity that donors can trust.

What is NGO / Society Registration?

An NGO in India is usually registered as a Society (under the Societies Registration Act) or a Section 8 Company (under the Companies Act). Both create a formal legal entity for non-profit work.

A Society is governed by its members through a managing committee; a Section 8 Company follows corporate governance with directors and is often preferred for CSR funding.

Why is it required?

Donors, CSR programs and government grant schemes fund only registered entities.
Registration enables 12A/80G tax exemptions and FCRA (foreign funding) eligibility later.
A written memorandum and bye-laws prevent internal governance disputes.

Documents required

PAN and Aadhaar of all members / directors (minimum as prescribed)
Passport-size photographs
Memorandum of Association & Rules / Bye-laws (Society) or MOA/AOA (Section 8 Company)
Registered office proof (EB bill / rent agreement + NOC)
DSC / DIN documents (for Section 8 Company directors)
List of governing body members with addresses

Do not have every document ready? Start your application and our team will guide you through the checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How many members are needed to register a Society?

A minimum of 7 members is required for a state-level society in most states.

Society or Section 8 Company — which should I choose?

Section 8 is preferred for CSR funding and pan-India credibility; a Society is simpler and cheaper for local community work. We help you decide.

Can my NGO receive foreign donations?

Only after obtaining FCRA registration, which needs the NGO to be at least 3 years old with a track record — we guide you on the roadmap.

Explore more guides on the Dattriox resources page.

Ready to get started?

Apply online, upload documents securely and track your ngo / society registration through the Dattriox app.