Online Society Registration in India

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Society Registration

A society is an association of several individuals combined using a mutual accord to deliberate, govern, and act cooperatively for some communal purpose. Societies are usually registered for the advancement of charitable activities like sports, music, culture, religion, art, education, etc.

Society Registration in India, under The Societies Registration Act, lays down specific procedures for the registration and operation of societies. This Act was implemented to enhance the legal stipulations of society registration for the advancement of literature, fine arts, science, or the dissemination of awareness for charitable purposes. The Societies Registration Act, 1860, has been adopted by several state governments with or without further amendments.

Purpose of Society Registration

According to Section 20 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860, a society can be registered for the following purposes:

  • Promotion of fine arts.
  • Diffusion of political education.
  • Grant of charitable assistance.
  • Promotion of science and literature.
  • Creation of military orphan funds.
  • Maintenance or foundation of galleries or public museums.
  • Maintenance or foundation of reading rooms or libraries.
  • Promotion or diffusion or instruction of useful knowledge.
  • Collections of natural history.
  • Collections of mechanical and philosophical inventions, designs, or instruments.

Document Required for Society Registration

To register a society in India under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the following documents are typically required:

  • PAN Card:Copies of PAN cards for all members of the proposed society.
  • Residence Proof:Valid residence proofs for all members, such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bill, etc.
  • Memorandum of Association (MOA):A document outlining the society's objectives, details of members, and registered office address.
  • Rules & Regulations of the Society:Detailed rules governing the society's operations, membership criteria, meeting schedules, audit procedures, dispute resolution mechanisms, and provisions for dissolution.
  • Covering Letter:A letter signed by all founding members explaining the purpose and objectives of forming the society.
  • Proof of Address:Documented proof of the registered office address where the society will be located, accompanied by a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landlord if applicable.
  • List of Members:A list containing names and signatures of all members of the governing body.
  • Declaration: A declaration signed by the president of the society affirming their willingness and eligibility to hold the position.

Society Compliances After Registration

After successfully registering a society in India, several essential compliance steps must be followed to ensure smooth and lawful operations:

  • Acquire a PAN Card:Obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card for the society, which is necessary for financial transactions and tax purposes.
  • Establish a Bank Account:Open a dedicated bank account in the name of the society to manage all its financial transactions.
  • Accounting and Bookkeeping:Maintain detailed and accurate financial records and bookkeeping to track all income, expenses, and financial activities of the society.
  • Yearly IT Filings:File annual Income Tax returns to comply with the income tax regulations applicable to societies.
  • GST Registration (if applicable):Register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) if the society’s activities fall under GST laws, and comply with GST filing requirements.
  • Professional Tax Registration (if required):Obtain professional tax registration if the society employs staff, as required by state laws.
  • Observing the Registrar of Firms' Requirements:
    • Annual General Meeting (AGM) Resolution
    • Financial Information
    • Member List
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