Compliance · CSR-1
CSR-1 registration, explained
Without CSR-1 registration, companies can't legally route CSR funds to your NGO. Here's who's eligible, how to apply, and why it matters for corporate funding.
Who is eligible for CSR-1 registration
All four conditions typically need to be met.
How to register for CSR-1
Filed on the MCA21 portal, not the income tax e-filing portal.
Confirm eligibility
Verify your NGO meets the 3-year track record requirement and holds valid 12A and 80G registration before applying.
File Form CSR-1 on the MCA portal
Submit Form CSR-1 electronically on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA21) portal, digitally signed by the NGO's authorised representative and certified by a practicing CA/CS/CMA.
Receive a unique CSR Registration Number
On approval, the NGO is issued a unique CSR Registration Number — mandatory for any company to legally route CSR funds to that NGO.
Start receiving CSR funding
Companies can now list the NGO as an implementing agency for CSR projects and route CSR-2 disclosures accordingly.
CSR-1 registration is often the single biggest unlock for NGOs trying to move from individual donors to corporate CSR funding at scale.
Frequently asked
What is CSR-1 registration?+
CSR-1 is a registration NGOs must complete with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to be legally eligible to receive and implement Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from companies under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Who is eligible for CSR-1 registration?+
Trusts, societies, and Section 8 companies with valid 12A/12AB and 80G registration, and at least 3 years of demonstrable track record in undertaking similar charitable activities, are eligible to apply for CSR-1 registration.
Can a new NGO (less than 3 years old) get CSR-1 registration?+
Generally no — MCA requires a 3-year track record of relevant activity. Newer NGOs typically need to partner with an already CSR-1-registered organisation or wait until they meet the track record requirement.
Why is CSR-1 registration important for NGOs seeking corporate funding?+
Companies are legally required to route CSR spending only to CSR-1-registered entities and report it via Form CSR-2. Without CSR-1 registration, an NGO cannot legally receive CSR funds from companies, no matter how strong its programs are.
What are common reasons CSR-1 applications get rejected?+
Common rejection reasons include missing or expired 12A/80G registration, insufficient documentation of the 3-year activity track record, mismatched details between the application and the NGO's registration documents, and incomplete CA/CS/CMA certification.
Does Sevastack help NGOs prepare for CSR-1 and manage CSR funding?+
Sevastack tracks 12A/80G compliance status (a CSR-1 prerequisite), and provides CSR proposal creation, fund utilization tracking by project, and utilization certificate generation once an NGO is CSR-1 registered and receiving corporate funds.
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