NGO Registration in Delhi

If you understand the entire process, NGO Registration in Delhi can be simple. Continue reading to learn the correct procedure and everything you need to know about NGO registration.
Editorial Team
Published On December 26, 2021 | Last Updated On September 1, 2022

When you are involved in causes for the betterment of society and start an NGO, you must register it so that it obtains legal status. NGO registration in Delhi might seem tedious if you don't know who to contact and what to do. While with your NGO, you aim to help vulnerable societies without earning a profit, registering it will allow you to interact with donors and other organizations at an official level.

Even though many political groups and religious entities establish NGOs to act as a front for their interests, an NGO at its core is not aimed to shell out profits to its members but to improve the wellness & welfare of the underprivileged section of the society. Even if some NGOs are front for political or religious entities, all the profits should be invested in the social cause they are helping better.

An Insight Into NGO Registration in Delhi

You can fulfill the NGO registration process in Delhi, either online or offline. You first need to know that you can register an NGO in India as one of three disciples: Societies, Trust, and Section 8 companies. So here is how you can decide which disciple your NGO would fall under:

1. Trust

If your NGO is focusing on eradicating poverty, focusing on giving education to the underprivileged, or providing medical relief, then your NGO would be defined as a trust NGO. You cannot discontinue or terminate the NGO unless all the beneficiaries approve it for certain reasons. Normally no national rules and regulations apply while running a trust; however, some states might have public trusts to oversee the operations and affairs of the NGO.

2. Societies

Unlike trusts, societies come under the jurisdiction of Indian law and follow Societies Registration Act, 1860. If you are looking to perform charitable works and hold charity events for your members, you will register your NGO as a society.

3. Section 8 companies

If you are planning to promote science, art, commerce, charity, or any other cause that will help better society, then you will be registering your NGO as a Section 8 company. You cannot reap any profits from a section 8 company, and it is formed with the purpose of social welfare.

Once you have decided which category your NGO will fall under, you will need to prepare the documents and information regarding your NGO registration process in Delhi. You will also need to remember that you will be required to pay NGO registration fees in Delhi. The registration fees vary depending upon the type of NGO you have.

Information/Document Required to Register a Society/NGO

To register a society/NGO, you will need the following documents and information available to you:

  1. A society or non-governmental organisation (NGO) must have a minimum of seven members to be registered under the state designation. While registering a society under the national label, your society should have eight members from 8 different states.
  2. All the members of society should be related by blood.
  3. It would be best if you had the name of the society to register ready before the process begins and the society's objective.
  4. Documents all members of the society should keep ready are:
  • Two photographs
  • Xerox copy of PAN cards and original copies
  • Copy of residence proof and original copies
  • Proof of ownership of the registered office of the society and ID proof of owner with original copies (Electricity bill, water bill, house tax receipt, etc.)

After choosing a name for your charitable trust, the NGO registration process in Delhi for trust includes:

  1. There must be a minimum of two trustees during the registration process. One will be the settler, and the other will be the trustee.
  2. To legally register your trust, you'll need a Memorandum of Association and a trust deed that includes all key provisions and clauses.
  3. Both the trustee and settler have original and copies of the following documents with them:
    • Aadhar card
    • Pan card
    • Address proof
    • Three photos
  4. Two witnesses should be present with their valid Id proofs (PAN card, Voter Id, etc.)
  5. Registered office address of the trust or NOC from the landlord.

All trustees & settlers must sign the trust deed on stamp paper of appropriate value and register with the local registrar.

Benefits of NGO Registration in Delhi

Registering your NGO helps you legally identify your organization and make it more credible in the eyes of donors and contributors. Registering an NGO also exempts you from taxes since NGOs work toward the betterment of society. Here are a few benefits of registering your NGO in India:

  1. Recognition: When you register your NGO in India, your organization gets recognized as a separate legal entity. It helps you provide a credible and legal identity in the eyes of donors, and wherever someone asks to see your documents, your registration papers work as legal papers.
  2. Exemption From Tax: The tax amount varies depending upon the organization. When you register your NGO following all the rules and regulations, you take a step toward applying for 12 AA with the Income Tax Department. To receive tax exemption on your NGO, you will be required to apply for 80G and FCRA. Only registered NGOs can apply for 80G and FCRA.
  3. Transparency and Accountability: When you register your NGO, it makes you credible and trustworthy. With transparency on your objective towards the betterment of society, approaching prospective donors or institutions is easier and hassle-free.
  4. Land From the Government: Registering your NGO also has one other benefit - you can get land from the government at a considerably low rate. You also get white money to build the NGO building. You can also collaborate with experts from different fields to attach to your entity and make your NGO even more recognizable to people.
  5. Limited Liability: Registering your society in legal eyes limits any liability that might arise from a member's actions. The liability of members is limited to them only, and other members cannot be held accountable or blamed for anything the other person does.
  6. Legal Protection: Registering your NGO also gives you legal protection, and others cannot use your name to conduct illegal activities. Using your NGO's name might lead up to a large penalty for the person.

Forms Required for NGO Registration

NGO registration is a lengthy but crucial process to make your NGO legal; you will need to fill in endless forms to ensure that the process goes smoothly and no problem arises later. Here are some of the forms you will need to fill, along with which you will need to provide the required documents:

  1. Form INC 1 registers the name of your NGO
  2. Form INC 12 provides you with the appropriate license to run the NGO
  3. Form INC 13 is for Memorandum of Association (MOA)
  4. Form INC 15 proves the declaration of each NGO member to the Memorandum
  5. Form INC 7 proves the application of Incorporation of the NGO
  6. Form INC 22 provides the details of the registered address of the NGO office
  7. Form DIR 12 is essentially to appoint directors of the NGO

You must also provide documents, objectives, and the purpose of forming the NGO by the founding members. When you choose to register online, you will find various agencies willing to make your registration as smooth as possible.

Fees for Registering an NGO in Delhi

The NGO registration fees in Delhi vary depending on whether you have a trust, society, or Section 8 company. You connect with the My Legal Clinic expert who can help you with a free quote for the registration service.

Conclusion

When you plan to start an NGO and have all the details ready, the NGO registration process in Delhi is not a problematic task. You will need to have a clear vision of the goals you aim to achieve with the NGO and the objective behind starting it. You will also need to find what cause you support, whether women's rights, battling poverty, saving the environment, or anything else.

You'll know which category your NGO belongs to if you know what it's for. You will also need to set up a board of members to ensure that the NGO is on the right track and that an authoritative body governs it. Always make sure to choose like-minded people who have the spirit of charity and social welfare without expecting anything in return because NGOs are not a place where they can expect to line their pockets. Once you find the right bunch of people, your NGO will have a long life ahead.