In India, there are a lot of organizations that are working for the welfare of the society. Such organizations are called non-government organizations commonly known as NGOs. Society is one of the three types of NGOs. Such types include society registration, trust registration and Section 8 company registration. Society registration is done for any of the objectives which is joining hands with the government for the upliftment of the society. The purpose of a society registration is the welfare of the society. Welfare can be any way like the promotion of education, art, healthcare, environment, etc.
Societies are governed by the Societies Registration Act 1860. This act was passed during British rule in India. But it is still in force and governing the society registration in India. Incorporating such a kind of entity serves many purpose of a society registration in India. Society can do everything from improving politics to promoting literature, science, and the fine arts.
What is a society?
An institution that is formed with a minimum of 7 members with the common goal of the welfare of society is called society in India. A common goal means every member of the society has consent regarding the objective or purpose of a society registration. If any of the members of the society is not in favor of the purpose of a society registration, such societies cannot be formed. For an institution like society, the common goal of the members plays a very important role. Without having a common goal a person cannot become a member of the society. Only those people can become the members of the society who are giving consent to the objective or purpose of a society registration. In India, there are many types of societies that are working for the upliftment of the society, names of some of those societies are given below:
- Educational Societies
- Agrarian Societies
- Industrial Societies
- Post Industrial Societies
- Societies for environment protection
- Societies for the welfare of art and culture
- Rural Development Societies
- Urban Development Societies
- Tribal Society
Governing Law for Society Registration in India
In India, everything regarding society like their documents, process of registration, purpose of a society registration, etc. has been given under the Societies Registration Act 1860. This is the act that governs society registration in India. Some of the important provisions given in this act regarding society registration are given below:
- Societies must be incorporated with the help of memorandum of association and registration
- Memorandum of Association of the Societies is a mandatory requirement for society registration
- Registration and Fee must be done as per the provisions of governing law for companies in India
- The annual list of the managing body must be prepared
- Property of Society and how it will be vested
- Suits by and against societies as per the requirement of society
- Suits filed by the societies or against the societies can not be abated
- The process of enforcement of a judgment against society has been given here
- Recovery or penalty accruing under the bye-law of the company
- Members are liable to be sued as strangers if they do something against the rules and regulations of the society or out of the scope of the societies
- Members guilty of offenses punishable as strangers under the governing law
- Alter, extend, or abridge the purpose or objective of the societies
- Provision for the dissolution of societies and adjustment of their affairs has been also given under the governing law
- Upon a dissolution, no member is to receive profit out of the assets of the societies
- Who is the governing body of societies in India
- Registration of societies which has been incorporated under some other laws
- Must file a memorandum with the Registrar of Joint-stock companies
- Inspection of documents is mandatory and without completion of this step one cannot get society registration
Purpose of a Society Registration Under the Society Registration Act
Societies are working for the welfare of the society. Their purpose is directly or indirectly upliftment of the society. They can do it with the help of different activities. These activities include but are not limited to the following purpose of a society registration in India:
Assistance for a Charitable Cause
As it is mentioned multiple times in the blog or you must hear from somewhere else as well, societies are registered with the prime goal of welfare of the society. Working for a charitable cause means societies are like assistants for the government who are helping them to solve the issues of the society. Charitable costs include providing food to the needy, medical care for the one who needs them, education, etc . Societies cannot work for any other purpose other than charitable causes.
Welfare of the Society
Societies are a type of NGO that works for the welfare of the society. Societies’ welfare can be uplifted in different ways. It completely depends on the members of the society for which charitable cause they want to work or through which charitable cause they want to deliver the welfare of the society. The welfare of society can be achieved through the promotion of education, the promotion of the health care sector, the promotion of a pollution-free environment, the promotion of women empowerment, etc. Given below is the list of activities that fall under the acts done for the welfare of society:
- Funds for children and senior citizens who are military orphans
- Promotion of Science, through investing in research and development or any other way that promotes science
- Literature is the backbone of the welfare of any society, hence the promotion of welfare will be considered a charitable cause
- Promotion, instruction, or dissemination of useful knowledge, that can help in further welfare of the society
- Publication of political education
- Creation or upkeep of Libraries or reading rooms, that indirectly promote education in India
- Creation or upkeep of public museum or gallery
Conclusion
Several important purpose of a society registration in India include the promotion of charitable causes, scientific research, literature, fine arts, political education, and dissemination of useful knowledge. Society registration provides legal status to the organization, which can help in raising funds, acquiring resources, and organizing events and activities. Societies are the crucial means of advancing the welfare of society. They contribute as essential partners for the government in addressing societal challenges and fostering overall societal well-being. These registered societies play a pivotal role in effecting positive change, contributing significantly to the nation’s development across various domains.
