An NGO, which is a non-government organization, is an institution dedicated to improving the welfare of society. NGOs are mostly dedicated to altruistic works. NGOs can be registered as a society, trust, and section 8 company in India. There are many sub-types of NGOs that are working in different fields like environment, education, science, art, etc. Such kinds of organizations cannot work with a profit motive. They are philanthropic organizations. The process to get the NGO Registration easily involves six steps. In the current blog, everything regarding NGO registration will be discussed in detail.
How long does it take to register an NGO?
As mentioned above NGOs are of three types. The timing of registering an NGO depends on which type of the three is registering the NGO. The registration process for a Section 8 Company generally takes approximately 10 to 14 working days. Trust registration timing is subject to verification by the department. Generally, it takes around 20 to 25 working days to register a trust. Lastly, society registration takes approximately one month because of a number of formalities involved in the process of registration.
Process to Get the NGO Registration Easily in India
Given below are the six steps to get NGO registration easily in India. The procedure of NGO registration in India is not that difficult but it is definitely lengthy. There are a number of formalities that need to be done; if any of them are missed your application will be delayed or rejected. To get the NGO registration easily read the steps given below carefully:
Select the Suitable Legal Structure
The initial step in the process to get the NGO registration easily involves selecting a suitable legal framework. In India, NGOs can be registered through three distinct avenues: as a trust, a society, or a Section 8 company. Each of these options presents its own set of prerequisites, benefits, and drawbacks. It is crucial to meticulously choose the structure that aligns with the specific goals and needs of your organization.
Collect Required Documents
To get the NGO registration easily having proper documentation is mandatory. For registering any kind of NGO some general documents are needed. The list of those general documents is given below:
- Proof of Identification
- Proof of address authentication
- Director Identification Numbers that are DIN
- Digital Signature Certificates that is DSC
- Bank account statement
- Business address proof
- Passport-sized photo of the owner of the NGO
Apply for DSC
In the process to get the NGO registration easily, acquiring a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a crucial step. According to the Information Technology Act of 2000, digital signatures are mandatory for electronically submitted documents. This ensures the security and authenticity of the documents.
Apply for DIN
The process to get the NGO registration easily mandates the possession of a Director Identification Number (DIN). Subsequently, the subsequent task involves the application for this unique 8-digit identification number. The DIN remains valid for the entirety of the directors’ lifetimes, barring certain extraordinary circumstances where it might be surrendered or revoked by the Indian government. The application process for obtaining a DIN is facilitated electronically via the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website, commonly referred to as MCA.
Application for NGO Registration
Once the name is approved and all the documents are collected, proceed to apply for NGO registration. All the required documents must be attached to the application for NGO registration. Make sure there will be no mistakes while attaching the documents. Because without proper documentation registration is not possible. After the file is ready submit it before the registrar. Now the file will be verified by the competent authority.
Issuance of NGO License
After verification, if the registrar finds any glitch in the file they will raise clarification. One needs to file the clarification. If one fails to file the clarification on time their application may be rejected. If after the submission and verification of the file, they do not find any mistake they can simply issue the registration certificate and then your NGO will be registered.
What are the different types of NGO Registration?
There are a total of three types of NGOs in India which are given below:
Society Registration
A collective formed according to the Societies Act in India consists of a minimum of seven members and operates with a spirit of altruism. Their primary dedication is to enhance the well-being of the community, driven by noble intentions rather than seeking profits.
Trust Registration
Under the framework of trust registration, three essential roles come into play: the trustor, the trustee, and the beneficiary. A trust involves the management of assets belonging to a third party, the beneficiary, for their advantage by a designated trustee. The legal guidelines for trusts are outlined in the Trust Act of 1882.
Section 8 Company Registration
Amongst various types of non-governmental organizations, the Section 8 company possesses the broadest operational scope. The procedure for establishing this type of NGO closely resembles that of registering a company under the Companies Act. Once officially certified as an NGO, entities of this nature are empowered to engage in both national and international endeavors.
What are the Advantages of getting the NGO Registration?
As NGOs are working for a good cause and helping the government to fight many social issues, the government provides many benefits to them. Given below is the list of certain advantages to get NGO Registration:
- Tax exemption under the Income Tax Act
- They have the ability to acquire assets.
- Personal liability protection is provided to them
- Ownership of NGOs can be transferred
- They are exempt from paying stamp duty.
- Proper establishment of a structured financial plan
Conclusion
Get the NGO registration easily in India is not possible without the proper documentation. That is why always check the document list before applying for NGO registration in India. Most people are not aware of the three types of NGOs and waste a lot of time to understand them. In the current blog, all three types and the basic registration process of all of them have been discussed in detail. Hence after reading this, NGO registration becomes easy. As NGO registration is a very formal process and there is a lot of documentation involved, therefore it is suggested to get experts’ help to get the NGO registration easily.
