Society Registration
Register a Society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 for clubs, associations, and NGOs
What is Society Registration?
Register a Society for sports clubs, cultural associations, alumni networks, professional bodies, and welfare organisations — a democratic, member-managed structure for non-profit activities.
Societies are registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 (a central act adopted by most states with state-specific amendments). The Memorandum of Association of a society must list the objects and names of founding members.
Who Needs Society Registration?
Sports clubs, cultural associations, alumni networks, professional bodies, trade associations, and welfare organisations with 7+ members who want a democratic, member-managed structure for their non-profit activities.
What's Included
- Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations drafting
- Member consent and attestation coordination
- Registrar of Societies filing (Form A or state equivalent)
- Certificate of Registration
- PAN application in the society's name
- Bank account opening guidance
⚠️ Penalty for Non-Compliance
A society that fails to file annual returns with the Registrar of Societies can be struck off from the register. Dissolution of a society must be done formally — members cannot simply wind up and divide assets among themselves.
How It Works
- 1
Draft MoA and Rules
We draft the Memorandum of Association (objects and founding members) and Rules & Regulations (governance structure, meetings, finances).
- 2
Member Consent
All founding members sign the MoA and Rules. Most states require notarisation or attestation by a gazetted officer.
- 3
Registrar of Societies Filing
Application (Form A or state equivalent) along with MoA, Rules, consent letters, and prescribed fee is submitted to the Registrar of Societies.
- 4
Registration Certificate
The Registrar registers the society and issues a Registration Certificate with a unique registration number.
- 5
PAN and Bank Account
We apply for PAN in the society's name and help you open a bank account in the society's name.
Documents Required
Items marked Required are mandatory; others are situational.
Founding Member Documents
- PAN Card of each founding member (min. 7)Required
Minimum 7 members required to form a Society
- Aadhaar Card of each founding memberRequired
Address verification
- Passport-size photographsRequired
2 copies per member
Society Details
- Name of the SocietyRequired
We check for conflicts before filing
- Objects/mission of the SocietyRequired
Must be for promotion of fine arts, science, literature, charity, etc.
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)Required
We draft this as per the relevant Societies Registration Act
- Bye-laws / rules of the SocietyRequired
We prepare standard bye-laws
Registered Office
- Latest utility billRequired
Not older than 2 months
- NOC from property ownerRequired
Signed, on plain paper
Fees & Pricing
Government Fees
Registrar of Societies filing fee
State-specific — Rs 50-2,000
Stamp duty on MOA/bye-laws
State-specific — Rs 200-1,000
Professional Fees
Society registration package
Includes MOA/bye-laws drafting, ROF filing, PAN, basic advisory
* Government fees may vary. GST applicable on professional fees. Final pricing confirmed after review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many members are needed to form a society?
A minimum of 7 persons is required under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Some states require more (e.g., 10 members in Uttar Pradesh).
What is the difference between a Society and a Trust?
A Society is a membership-based organisation with democratic governance (elected managing committee). A Trust is managed by appointed trustees. Societies are better suited for clubs and associations; trusts for foundations and charitable bodies.
Do societies need to file annual returns?
Yes. Most states require societies to file a list of managing committee members and financial statements annually with the Registrar of Societies.
Can a society be dissolved?
Yes. A society can be dissolved by a three-fifths majority vote of members present at a meeting specifically called for this purpose. Assets must be transferred to another charitable organisation — they cannot be distributed to members.
Detailed guides for Society Registration
Go deeper on any part of the process.
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