Start your NGO in India — the right way.
Register your Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company — and get 12A, 80G, CSR-1, and FCRA. Everything done online by a qualified CA. Fixed fees. Free 30-min consultation. No hidden charges.
7
Registration types
2-4 wks
Typical turnaround
₹0
Hidden charges
The basics
How to start an NGO in India
Starting an NGO in India is easier than most people think. Here's the simple path — explained in plain English.
Pick a legal form
Choose between a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company. Each has different rules on members, governance, and cost.
Register with the government
File papers with the sub-registrar (Trust), Registrar of Societies (Society), or MCA (Section 8). A CA handles every step for you.
Get 12A, 80G, and more
Apply for 12A (no tax for NGO) and 80G (tax benefit for donors). Later, add CSR-1 for Indian company funds and FCRA for foreign donations.
In simple words
An NGO in India needs two things to actually run well — legal registration (Trust / Society / Section 8) and tax certificates (12A and 80G). Without 12A, your NGO pays tax on every rupee. Without 80G, your donors get no tax benefit and donation amounts stay small. Most NGOs apply for all four (registration + 12A + 80G) in the first 3 months itself.
What you need, step by step
All NGO registrations — in one place
Click any card to see the process, documents, cost, and timeline for that registration.
Register your NGO
First, choose a legal form — Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company.
From
12,000
Section 8 Company
Register a not-for-profit company online across India.
From
8,000
Public Charitable Trust
The simplest way to register an NGO in India — fast and low cost.
From
8,000
Society
Register a member-led NGO under the Societies Act — ideal for group causes.
Get 12A and 80GMost NGOs start here
12A saves tax for your NGO. 80G gives tax benefit to your donors.
Apply for CSR-1 and FCRA
CSR-1 for Indian company funds. FCRA for foreign donations.
Professional fees shown are what you pay us. Government fees (stamp duty, MCA filing etc.) are paid directly by youto the concerned authority — we don't collect or mark these up.
Which one to choose?
Trust vs Society vs Section 8 Company
All three are valid NGO types in India. The right one depends on your team size, where you want to work, and how you plan to raise funds.
| Quick glance | Trust | Society | Section 8 CompanyMost chosen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Family-led, small NGOs | Community / member-led | Pan-India NGOs, CSR funding |
| Minimum people | 2 trustees | 7 members | 2 directors |
| Governing law | Indian Trusts Act, 1882 | Societies Act, 1860 | Companies Act, 2013 |
| Timeline | 2 to 3 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Our fee | ₹8,000 | ₹8,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Reach | State-level | State-level / multi-state | All India |
| Compliance burden | Low | Medium (AGMs, elections) | High (MCA filings) |
| Best for corporate CSR? | OK | OK | Strongest |
Scroll down for details on each type — pros, cons, and which one to pick.
Trust
Family-led or small NGOs
- Minimum people
- Minimum 2 trustees
- Law
- Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (or state act)
- Timeline
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Our fee
- ₹8,000
- Works in
- State-level (most practical)
Good for
- Simple to set up
- Small governing team
- Stable family control
Keep in mind
- Limited corporate recognition
- Hard to change trustees later
Society
Community or member-led groups
- Minimum people
- Minimum 7 members
- Law
- Societies Act, 1860
- Timeline
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Our fee
- ₹8,000
- Works in
- State-level (or multi-state)
Good for
- Democratic governance
- Easy member changes
- Good for local causes
Keep in mind
- AGM and elections mandatory
- Members can be voted out
Section 8 Company
Pan-India NGOs seeking CSR funds
- Minimum people
- Minimum 2 directors
- Law
- Companies Act, 2013
- Timeline
- 3 to 4 weeks
- Our fee
- ₹12,000
- Works in
- All India (highest credibility)
Good for
- Best for corporate donors
- Strongest legal standing
- Professional governance
Keep in mind
- Strict MCA compliance
- Higher setup cost
Not sure which one fits? Book a free call — our CA will ask 3–4 questions about your plan and suggest the right form in 5 minutes.
Local help, country-wide
NGO registration, city-wise
Every state has different stamp duty and registrar offices. Find detailed process, costs, and local rules for your city.
NGO Registration in Mumbai
Maharashtra
India's financial capital — and home to the country's largest NGO ecosystem.
NGO Registration in Pune
Maharashtra
Maharashtra's education and IT capital — a fast-growing NGO ecosystem.
NGO Registration in Delhi
Delhi (NCT)
India's policy and funding capital — base for most national-level NGOs.
NGO Registration in Bangalore
Karnataka
India's Silicon Valley — a fast-rising hub for tech-enabled NGOs.
Don't see your city? We serve NGOs across all Indian states — everything is done online. Submit the form below or WhatsApp us.
Why NGO founders choose us
Simple, honest, done properly
Work with a real CA
Your work is done by a qualified chartered accountant, not a call-centre agent. 10+ years of NGO experience.
Clear pricing, no surprises
Fees shown upfront. No hidden charges. Government fees are paid by you directly — we never mark them up.
Finish on time
Every case has a fixed timeline. We track it for you — no chasing, no long waits.
Free Sevastack after
Once your NGO is registered, run donations, 80G receipts, and FCRA returns free on Sevastack.
How the process works
From a simple form to your certificate
Here's exactly what happens from the day you enquire — so you always know what's next.
Fill the form
Share a few basic details. Takes less than a minute.
Free 30-min call
A CA calls you within one working day and answers every doubt.
Send documents
Simple checklist sent on WhatsApp. Upload online — no courier needed.
CA files everything
CA handles all paperwork, government queries, and follow-ups.
Get your certificate
Certificate delivered by email and post once approved.
Run NGO on Sevastack
Use Sevastack free to manage donors, receipts, and compliance.
Free 30-minute consultation
Talk to a CA — no cost, no pressure
Share a few details. A qualified CA calls you within one working day and answers every question — even if you decide not to go ahead.
Common questions
NGO registration — your questions, answered
The things most NGO founders ask us. Can't find your answer? Ping us on WhatsApp.
How do I start an NGO in India?+
Four steps. First, pick a legal form — Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company. Second, register it with the government. Third, apply for 12A and 80G so your NGO pays no tax and your donors get tax benefit. Fourth, apply for CSR-1 (for Indian company funds) and FCRA (for foreign funds) when you are ready. Our CA partner handles all four — you just share documents.
How much does it cost to register an NGO in India?+
It depends on the type. A Trust or Society costs around ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 in total (professional + government fee). A Section 8 Company costs about ₹15,000 to ₹20,000. 12A and 80G together cost around ₹8,000 (no government fee). CSR-1 costs about ₹5,000. FCRA is the biggest — around ₹35,000 including the ₹10,000 government fee. All our professional fees are fixed and shown upfront.
Which is better — Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company?+
A Trust is simple and best for family-led NGOs with 2–3 founders. A Society is member-based (minimum 7 people) and good for community groups. A Section 8 Company is the most professional — best if you plan to work across India or raise CSR funds from big companies. On a free call, our CA will help you pick the right one for your goal.
Can I register an NGO online in India?+
Yes, almost fully online. Section 8 Company registration is 100% online through the MCA portal. 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 filings are also fully online. Only Trust registration needs one physical visit to the sub-registrar for signing — all other steps are digital. You don't need to visit our office.
Can I start an NGO alone?+
No. Every NGO form needs at least 2 people. Trust needs at least 2 trustees. Section 8 Company needs at least 2 directors. Society needs at least 7 members. You can include family members, but for 12A/80G approval it helps to have at least one non-family member.
How long does NGO registration take?+
Registration (Trust / Society / Section 8) takes 2 to 4 weeks. 12A and 80G together take 4 to 8 weeks after that. CSR-1 is fast — 1 to 2 weeks once 12A/80G are granted. FCRA is the slowest and takes 3 to 6 months. Most NGOs get registered with 12A and 80G in about 2 to 3 months.
Do I need both 12A and 80G certificates?+
Yes, get both together. 12A makes your NGO's income tax-free. 80G lets your donors claim 50% tax deduction on their donations — this alone can double your fundraising. Both are filed in the same Form 10A, so one application gets both.
What documents do I need to register an NGO?+
Basic documents: PAN and Aadhaar of all founders, latest electricity bill or rent agreement of the office address, NOC from the owner (if rented), photographs of founders, and a draft of your NGO's objectives. A full checklist is shared after your free consultation — based on the type you choose.
Can my home address be used as the NGO's registered office?+
Yes. You can use your home as the NGO's registered office. You just need an electricity bill in your name (or a rent agreement + NOC if rented). Many NGOs start this way and shift to a commercial address later.
What happens if my NGO application is rejected?+
Our CA handles all government queries and replies on your behalf — no extra charge. If re-submission is needed due to new documents, it is included in our fee. We don't take cases unless we are confident they will get approved.
Do you work across India?+
Yes. Our CA partner is based in Pune but serves NGOs in every Indian state — Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and beyond. Everything is handled online over WhatsApp, email, and video call. You don't have to travel.
Are government fees included in your price?+
No. The amount we show is only our professional fee — what you pay us. Government fees (stamp duty, MCA filing fees, etc.) are paid directly by you to the government. We never collect or mark them up. Your proposal will clearly show both amounts.
What happens after my NGO is registered?+
You get free access to Sevastack — India's complete NGO management platform. Issue 80G receipts instantly, track donors, manage projects, file Form 10BD, track FCRA quarterly returns, and never miss a compliance deadline. All in one place.
Registered? Manage it all on Sevastack
Donors, 80G receipts, FCRA returns, compliance deadlines, CSR proposals — one platform. Free for new NGOs.
Start free with Sevastack