Society registration in India needs at least seven persons who sign a memorandum of association and file it, with the society's rules, before the state Registrar of Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or the state's own Act. In West Bengal the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961 applies, also with a seven-person minimum, and applications are made online through the e-District portal. CorporateWalla drafts the memorandum and rules, files the application, follows up with the Registrar and then sets up PAN, the bank account and 12A/80G.
Society registration from ₹5,999 · Memorandum and rules drafted by our CA/CS team · Registrar's fee at actuals
| At a glance (October 2026) | Position |
|---|---|
| Central law | Societies Registration Act, 1860 (adopted with amendments by many states) |
| State laws | Several states have their own Act, e.g. the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961 |
| Minimum members | Seven (1860 Act, Section 1; West Bengal Act, Section 4) |
| Core documents | Memorandum of association and rules/regulations |
| Registered with | State Registrar of Societies (in West Bengal, the Registrar of Firms, Societies and Non-Trading Corporations) |
| Government fee | Fixed by the state, paid at actuals |
| After registration | PAN, bank account, 12A/80G (Sections 332 and 354), annual filings with the Registrar |
Section 20 of the 1860 Act lists the purposes for which societies can be registered. They include:
The West Bengal Act similarly allows societies for literature, arts, science, religion, charitable purposes and the diffusion of knowledge. A society is a good fit for:
| Group | Why a society fits |
|---|---|
| Residents' or professional associations | Elected governing body and open membership |
| School, college or hostel committees | Members can change while the institution continues |
| Cultural, sports and puja committees | Membership-based, with an AGM every year |
| Local NGOs with seven or more founders | Low set-up cost and 12A/80G eligibility |
| Document | 1860 Act (Section 2) | West Bengal Act, 1961 (Sections 5 and 6) |
|---|---|---|
| Memorandum | Name, objects, and names, addresses and occupations of the governing body | Name, registered office, objects, first governing body, and names, addresses and occupations of signatories |
| Rules / regulations | Copy certified as correct by at least three governing body members | Must cover the governing body, admission and removal of members, register of members, property, meetings, accounts and audit, and members' inspection rights |
We also add a dissolution clause that sends any surplus to another charity with similar objects, which the Income Tax Department looks for when it examines 12A/80G applications.
| Item | Who sets it | Amount | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CorporateWalla professional fee | CorporateWalla | From ₹5,999 | Drafts in 3–5 business days after details |
| Registrar's registration fee | State government | At actuals | Paid at filing |
| Stamp paper and notary (affidavits, NOC) | State stamp law | At actuals | 1–2 days |
| Registrar's scrutiny and certificate | State Registrar | — | Varies by state; queries add time |
Our indicative timeline is three to six weeks from complete documents. The Registrar decides when the society is registered.
| Requirement | West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961 |
|---|---|
| Books of account | Kept at the registered office (Section 15) |
| Audit | Once a year by a qualified auditor such as a chartered accountant (Section 15) |
| Annual general meeting | At least once a year, not more than fifteen months apart (Section 16) |
| Filing with the Registrar | Governing body list, annual report, audited balance sheet and auditor's report within thirty days after each AGM (Section 17) |
| Change in governing body | Notified to the Registrar within thirty days (Section 17) |
Under the 1860 Act, the list of the governing body is filed every year after the AGM. Income-tax returns and donor statements are separate and are handled by our NGO accounting team.
| Point | Society | Trust | Section 8 company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum founders | Seven | One settlor; two or more trustees advisable | Two directors and two members |
| Management | Elected governing body | Trustees per the deed | Board of directors |
| Registered with | State Registrar of Societies | Sub-Registrar; Charity Commissioner in some states | Registrar of Companies |
| Annual filings | Governing body list and, in many states, accounts | Varies by state | AOC-4, MGT-7 and audit every year |
| Starting fee at CorporateWalla | From ₹5,999 | From ₹4,499 | From ₹8,999 |
For NGOs that need CSR or institutional grants across several states, see Section 8 company registration and the Section 8 guide.
Pick the speed and depth that matches your need. Same quality, same CA team — only the timeline changes.
Timeline: 3–6 weeks (indicative)
Timeline: Quoted on scope
Timeline: Quoted on scope
Government fee — paid by you at actuals
Registration fee fixed by the state government under the state's societies law (Section 3 of the 1860 Act leaves the fee to the state), plus stamp paper and notary charges for affidavits and the premises NOC. All paid at actuals.
Every price above is a professional fee, excluding GST and government charges. 50% upfront, 50% on delivery.
Professional fee, excluding GST. The Registrar's registration fee, stamp paper for affidavits and NOCs, and notarisation are paid separately at actuals. 12A/80G filing, NGO Darpan and annual compliance are quoted separately unless included in the selected package. Payment: 50% upfront, 50% on delivery. Timelines depend on the Registrar's scrutiny and are not a guarantee of registration.
We check that you have at least seven founding members, that the objects are charitable, literary, scientific or otherwise permitted, and choose a name that does not resemble a registered society.
We draft the memorandum (name, office, objects, first governing body, signatories) and the rules on membership, elections, meetings, accounts, audit and dissolution.
All seven or more members sign the memorandum. Affidavits, the premises NOC and member declarations are executed on stamp paper where the state requires them.
The application is filed with the state Registrar of Societies, online where the state allows (in West Bengal through the e-District portal), with the fee.
The Registrar may raise queries on the name, objects or documents. We prepare replies and revised drafts until the certificate of registration is issued.
Apply for PAN, open the bank account and file for registration under Section 332 and approval under Section 354 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (old 12A and 80G).
Tell us your requirement, a CA will call you in 30 minutes.
Memorandum and rules are drafted to pass the Registrar's scrutiny and to meet the Income Tax Department's tests for charitable objects.
Each state runs its own Registrar and forms. We file in your state's format, including the e-District process in West Bengal.
Rules on elections, quorum, removal of members and dissolution are settled now, which avoids disputes once the society grows.
PAN, bank documentation, 12A/80G, audit and annual filings with the Registrar are handled by the same CA/CS team.
Professional fee from ₹5,999. The Registrar's fee, stamp paper and notary charges are paid separately at actuals.
From ₹8,999 • 30–60 days
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From ₹4,499 • 7–15 business days (indicative)
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From ₹12,999 • Filing in 7–10 business days; MHA decision time varies
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From ₹8,999 • 15 days
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From ₹3,999 • 7 to 15 days
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From ₹2,199/month • Monthly
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From ₹13,499 • Scope-based
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