Understanding NGO Registration in India
Introduction
To register an NGO, you must submit a thorough collection of documents to the necessary authorities, including the Memorandum of Association (MoA), proof of address, member data, and a declaration of assets and liabilities. While essential, NGO registration makes negotiating social laws easier and encourages openness. A recognized NGO also promotes moral, legal, and social norms in the community. Having a bank account in its name—which necessitates registration as a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company—is also crucial for running an NGO.
Advantages of Registering an NGO
An NGO can get legal standing and accountability for the cash it receives by registering. Donations donated to a registered charity trust, for instance, are gathered in the name of the organization and used towards its operations; in contrast, money contributed to an unregistered institution may be embezzled for private benefit. A recognized NGO also promotes moral, legal, and social norms in the community. Having a bank account in its name—which necessitates registration as a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company—is also crucial for running an NGO. Moreover, to receive tax exemptions from the Income Tax Authority, an NGO must register.
The following documents are required for online NGO registration:
- Members’ names, residences, and full contact information.
- Address evidence (if rented, provide a NOC from the landlord).
- Donation receipts (if any were received earlier).
- An affidavit signed by the NGO’s president.
- A properly signed declaration by the president.
- -A letter from the founders/trustees outlining the aim of NGO registration in India.
NGO Registration Process
The following are the main, minute-by-minute instructions for registering an NGO in India:
1. Determine Structure: Based on your goals, choose whether your organization will be a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company.
2. Selection of Name: Pick a distinctive moniker that complements your goal.
3. Prepare Documents: Write the Association’s bylaws and memorandum.
4. Form a Governing Body: Create a management committee or governing body.
5. Designate Address: Give correspondence a formal address.
6. Acquire evidence: Gather identification documents, evidence of address, and pictures.
7. Submit Application: Send your application to the Registrar of Societies, Trusts, or Companies, whichever is the relevant body.
8. Compliance Following Registration: Submit audited financial statements, file yearly returns, keep accounts current, and apply for tax exemptions.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria to Start an NGO?
There are requirements that applicants must fulfill to establish an NGO. The NGO can have up to 200 members and needs a minimum of two directors if it intends to organize as a private limited company. A charity trust must have seven members or more. Several benefits of registering an NGO under the Companies Act of 2013 need further investigation.