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Society registration
Register a society for charitable, educational, cultural, sports or similar work under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or your state's own societies law. We draft the memorandum and rules, prepare the members' affidavits and documents, and file with the Registrar of Societies. Then we apply for the society's PAN.
- Memorandum and rules drafted for your society
- Filing with the Registrar of Societies
- PAN for the society
- A CA handles the work from start to finish
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- Work done by chartered accountants
- 100% online, anywhere in India
- Since 2017
Price
Society registration
₹9,999+ ₹1,800 GST
3–6 weeks, depending on the Registrar
- Check of your state's societies law and Registrar
- Memorandum of association drafted
- Rules and regulations (bye-laws) drafted
- Affidavits, declarations and covering letter
- Application filed with the Registrar of Societies
- Answers to the Registrar's queries
- PAN for the society
- Help opening a bank account
Fees are before 18% GST. The Registrar's fee, stamp duty and notary charges are paid at actuals. They vary by state.
Who needs society registration
- Groups of seven or more people setting up a charitable, educational or cultural body
- Clubs, resident welfare associations and sports bodies
- People planning to run a school or college through a non-profit body
- Professional and community associations run by their members
Documents you'll need
From each founding member
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card or another identity proof
- Address proof
- A recent passport-size photo, if your state asks for it
For the society
- Proposed name, with two or three alternatives
- Address proof of the registered office, with the owner's no-objection letter
- Names and roles of the first governing body
- The society's objects
You upload these from your order page after you pay. Scans or clear phone photos are fine.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about the society
Its name, objects and members, the first governing body, and where it will be based.
- 2
Name and state rules
We check the name and your state's requirements, which differ from state to state.
- 3
Drafting
We draft the memorandum of association and the rules and regulations, covering membership, the governing body, meetings, elections, accounts and dissolution.
- 4
Signing
All founding members sign the memorandum, and the office-bearers sign the affidavits and declarations, before witnesses or a notary as your state requires.
- 5
Filing with the Registrar
We file with the Registrar of Societies, online or in person depending on the state, and answer queries. The Registrar decides and issues the certificate of registration.
- 6
PAN and bank account
We apply for the society's PAN and help open its bank account.
What a society is
A society is a group of people who join together for a charitable, literary, scientific, educational, cultural or similar purpose, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or a state law that replaces or amends it. A registered society can hold property and take legal action through its governing body, which its members elect.
Under the 1860 Act, at least seven people sign the memorandum. Some state laws set their own rules on the number of members, the Registrar's office and annual filings.
Every year after registration
Under the 1860 Act, a society files a list of its governing body members with the Registrar every year, after its annual general meeting. Many state laws also require annual accounts, and changes to the memorandum or rules must be approved by the members and filed with the Registrar.
For tax, a society needs a PAN, files an income tax return every year, and must separately register with the income tax department for exemption (formerly 12A/12AB and 80G under the Income-tax Act, 1961).
Society, trust or section 8 company?
A society suits bodies run by their members, where office-bearers change by election. A trust suits a small, fixed group of trustees managing a purpose, and a section 8 company suits larger organisations that want company-style governance and filings.
Societies are governed by state law, so the process and timing vary a lot. We check your state's rules before we draft anything.
Frequently asked questions
How many members are needed to register a society?
At least seven under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Some states' own laws set a different number. We check the rule for your state.
How long does society registration take?
Drafting and signing take one to two weeks. The Registrar's review varies widely by state and may include verifying the address. We file and follow up, but the decision and its timing are the Registrar's.
Can a society be registered online?
In some states, yes, through the Registrar's portal. Others still need a physical filing, and some need office-bearers to appear in person. We tell you what your state needs.
Can members of the governing body be paid?
The memorandum and rules decide this, and the income tax exemption rules restrict payments to office-bearers and their relatives. We draft the rules with that in mind.
What happens if a society is dissolved?
Under the 1860 Act, at least three-fifths of the members must agree to dissolve it. Its remaining property can't be shared among the members; it goes to another society, usually one with similar objects.
Do we need a registered office?
Yes. The society needs an address in the state where it registers, with proof such as a utility bill and the owner's no-objection letter. It can be a member's home if the owner agrees.