Overview
What society registration involves
A society is a group of people who come together for a shared, non-profit purpose, such as charity, education, science, literature, the arts or sport. Its members elect a governing body to run it.
Society registration is done under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or under the state's own societies law where it has one. The founders sign a memorandum and file it, with the society's rules and regulations, with the Registrar of Societies of the state.
Once the Registrar certifies the registration, the society can open a bank account, hold property through its governing body and apply for tax registrations.
Members
Who can form a society
Founding members
Under the 1860 Act, any seven or more persons can form a society. Some state laws set a different number or extra conditions.
Governing body
The members choose a governing body, often called the managing committee, with a president, secretary and treasurer.
Area of work
A society working in more than one state may face extra rules. We check the law that applies to your society.
Memorandum
What the memorandum states
- The name of the society
- Its objects
- The names, addresses and occupations of the members of its governing body
- Signatures of the founding members
Rules and regulations
What the bye-laws cover
- Who can become a member, and how membership ends
- How the governing body is elected and how long it serves
- Meetings, quorum and voting
- Accounts, audit and the use of funds
- How the rules are changed and how the society is dissolved
Under the 1860 Act, a copy of the rules is certified as correct by at least three members of the governing body.
Package
What our society registration support includes
Complianto professional feeShared on your free consultation
Registration feeAt actuals. Set by your state.
- Fees and any stamp duty depend on the state where the society registers.
- We confirm the total before we start.
Documents
Documents of the members
- PAN of each founding member
- ID and address proof of each member, such as Aadhaar, a bank statement or a utility bill
- List of members with their names, addresses and occupations
- Covering letter with the society's objects, signed by the founding members
- Declaration by the president that they are competent to hold the post
Society office
Documents for the society's address
- Rent agreement or property document
- A recent electricity bill or property tax receipt
- No-objection letter from the owner of the premises
Each state's Registrar keeps its own list and forms. We share the exact list for your state.
Process
How society registration works
- 01
Fill the form
Tell us the society's purpose, its members and its office address.
- 02
Choose a name
Pick a name that is not the same as, or too close to, a registered society's name.
- 03
Settle the papers
The memorandum and the rules and regulations are agreed and signed by the founding members.
- 04
File with the Registrar
The papers are filed with the Registrar of Societies of your state, with the fee the state sets.
- 05
Society registered
The Registrar certifies that the society is registered. Then apply for the society's PAN and open its bank account.
Every year
After society registration: what continues
- 12A and 80GApply to the income tax department so the society can claim exemption and donors can claim a deduction. See 12A and 80G registration.
- RegistrarFile the yearly list of the managing committee members with the Registrar.
- MeetingsHold the general meetings and elections the bye-laws require, and keep minutes.
- TaxKeep books and file the society's income tax return. See income tax return filing.
- For CSR fundsAfter 3 years of work and with 12A and 80G in place, a society can file CSR-1 registration.
How many members are needed for society registration?
Under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, at least seven persons. Some states have their own law with a different number or extra conditions, so check the law for your state.
Where is a society registered?
With the Registrar of Societies of the state where the society's office is.
What purposes can a society be formed for?
Charitable, literary, scientific and similar purposes, such as education, the arts, sport or public welfare. It cannot be formed to make profit for its members.
What is the difference between the memorandum and the bye-laws?
The memorandum states the society's name, objects and governing body. The rules and regulations, or bye-laws, set out how it is run day to day.
Is a society registration valid for life?
It does not need renewal under the 1860 Act unless it is cancelled. Check whether your state's law asks for renewal. Every society must keep up its yearly filings.
Can a society change its objects later?
Yes. The members pass a resolution in the manner the law sets, and the change is reported to the Registrar of Societies.
Can a society be dissolved?
Yes. Under the 1860 Act, at least three-fifths of the members must agree. Remaining property is not shared among members. It goes to another society, as the law sets.
Does a society need its own PAN?
Yes. A society gets a PAN in its own name after registration, and files its own income tax return.
Are 12A and 80G part of society registration?
No. They are separate registrations with the income tax department, made after the society is registered.
Is Complianto a government body or a CA firm?
Neither. Complianto is a compliance facilitation platform operated by Mentorcorp Private Limited. You can also apply directly on the official portal without our fee.
More services
Other services for societies and NGOs
12A and 80G Registration
Tax exemption for the society and deductions for donors.
NGO Registration
Compare trust, society and Section 8.
Trust Registration
A trust run by trustees under a deed.
Section 8 Company
A non-profit company registered with MCA.
CSR-1 Registration
Register with MCA to run CSR projects.
Income Tax Return
Yearly return filing for your society.
