Overview
From April 2021, every NGO that wants to receive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from Indian companies must register with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) by filing Form CSR-1. Without CSR-1 registration, no Indian company can legally send CSR money to your NGO. Any company with a net worth of ₹500 crore or more, turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more, or net profit of ₹5 crore or more must spend 2% of their average net profit on CSR — and they can only give that money to CSR-1 registered NGOs. The good news is that CSR-1 is a simple one-time filing — it is auto-approved instantly once filed correctly.
Ideal for
NGOs that want CSR partnerships with companies like TCS, Infosys, Reliance, HDFC, and other large Indian corporates. Also needed if you plan to list on any corporate CSR platform.
Eligibility
NGO must have active 12A and 80G registration (or be registered under Section 10(23C) or 10(46))
At least 3 years of activity track record — OR be a Section 8 Company set up by the Central/State Government
NGO must carry out CSR-eligible activities as listed in Schedule VII of the Companies Act
Documents required
7 documents in total. Checklist shared after your free consultation.
12A and 80G registration certificates (both must-have)
PAN of the NGO
NGO registration certificate (Trust / Society / Section 8)
DSC of an authorised signatory (must be a governing body member)
Board resolution authorising the signatory to file CSR-1
Proof of 3+ years of activity (for societies and trusts)
Details of all governing body members
Step-by-step process
Pass a board resolution
Your NGO's governing body passes a resolution naming one member as the authorised signatory for CSR-1.
Prepare DSC
We help the authorised signatory get a Digital Signature Certificate if they don't have one.
File Form CSR-1
We file Form CSR-1 online on the MCA portal with all attachments. The form is verified by a practicing CA, CS, or CMA.
Auto-approval
CSR-1 is auto-approved by the MCA system the moment the form is submitted correctly. A unique CSR Registration Number is issued instantly.
Get listed on MCA CSR registry
Your NGO appears on the MCA's CSR registry — searchable by companies looking for CSR partners. Sevastack also lists you on its NGO directory.
Common pitfalls
Filing CSR-1 before 12A and 80G are active — rejected.
Using an expired DSC — form submission fails silently.
Board resolution not naming the exact signatory — auto-rejected by the portal.
Not renewing 12A/80G on time later — your CSR-1 becomes inactive automatically.
Frequently asked
What is CSR-1 registration?+
CSR-1 is a registration every Indian NGO needs to receive CSR funds from companies. It is filed with the MCA using Form CSR-1. Without CSR-1, no company can legally give you CSR money.
How much does CSR-1 registration cost?+
Our professional fee is ₹5,000. There is no government fee. So total cost is just ₹5,000. It is the cheapest and fastest registration for NGOs.
How long does CSR-1 registration take?+
1 to 2 weeks — including board resolution, DSC, and filing. Once filed correctly, MCA gives instant auto-approval. No long waiting period.
Is CSR-1 a one-time registration?+
Yes. CSR-1 is filed once and stays active as long as your 12A and 80G are valid. If 12A or 80G expires, CSR-1 automatically becomes inactive.
Can a new NGO get CSR-1 without 3 years of activity?+
Only if the NGO is a Section 8 Company created by the Central or State Government, or registered under Section 10(23C) or 10(46). Otherwise, you must complete 3 years of activity first.
How will companies find my NGO after CSR-1?+
All CSR-1 registered NGOs appear on the MCA's CSR registry — which companies search by state, cause area, or registration number. Sevastack also lists your NGO in our public NGO directory for CSR partners.