Overview
A Society is an NGO made of members — at least 7 people who come together for a common goal. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (or a state version of the same law). Societies run on democratic rules — members elect a president, secretary, and treasurer, and hold annual general meetings (AGMs). This form works best for community groups, schools, cultural clubs, professional bodies, and welfare organisations. Society registration is done at the state level with the Registrar of Societies.
Ideal for
Community groups and member-led NGOs that work inside one state. Good when you want a democratic structure — members elect office bearers.
Eligibility
Minimum 7 members (some states require 9)
Members can be individuals or registered entities, even from different states
NGO goal must be literary, scientific, charitable, educational, or similar public-good work
All members must sign the Memorandum and accept the Rules
Documents required
7 documents in total. Checklist shared after your consultation.
PAN and Aadhaar of all 7+ founding members
Memorandum of Association (goals, name, address, member list)
Rules and Regulations (governance, meetings, membership, elections)
Proof of office address — electricity bill or rent agreement + NOC
Affidavit by the president on non-judicial stamp paper
Photos and signatures of all founding members
Minutes of the first meeting electing the governing body
Step-by-step process
Draft MOA and Rules
We write the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations, customised for your state's rules.
Members sign the papers
All 7+ founding members sign the MOA and Rules. Some states also need notarisation.
First meeting minutes
Minutes of the first meeting — where the president, secretary, and treasurer are elected — are prepared and signed.
File with Registrar of Societies
Application is filed with your state Registrar of Societies along with the government fee.
Get Certificate of Registration
Registrar checks the papers and issues the Certificate of Registration — usually in 7 to 14 days.
Common pitfalls
Using the same members as another registered society in your area — causes rejection.
Choosing a name similar to an existing society — always do a name search first.
Missing state-specific rules — for example, charitable societies in Maharashtra must also register under the Bombay Public Trust Act.
Not holding the first AGM on time — creates early compliance issues.
Frequently asked
How much does society registration cost in India?+
Our professional fee is ₹8,000. Government fees are ₹500 to ₹2,000 depending on the state. Total cost usually stays under ₹10,000 — making it one of the cheapest NGO types.
What is the minimum number of members to register a society?+
7 members in most states. Some states (like Tamil Nadu) require 9. Members do not all have to live in the same state — people from anywhere in India can come together.
Can a society work in more than one state?+
A society registered under the 1860 Act can work nationally, but for proper recognition across multiple states it is better to register under the Multi-State Societies Registration Act.
Can members of a society be from the same family?+
Legally yes. But for 12A and 80G approval, it is better to have some non-family members so the governance looks independent.
What annual compliances does a society need to follow?+
Three main things: hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM), get accounts audited, and file the list of governing body members with the Registrar every year.
Society vs Trust — which is better for a small NGO?+
If you have a large group of people (7+) and want democratic decisions, choose Society. If you have 2 to 5 stable trustees and want simple control, choose Trust.