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NGOs & foundations
Groups running charitable, relief or welfare work who want corporate credibility and cleaner governance than a trust or society.
Company / ROC
Section 8 Company Registration
Register your non-profit as a Section 8 Company — the most credible not-for-profit structure in India, with limited liability, tax-exemption eligibility and the governance that grant-makers and CSR funders trust. We obtain the Central Government licence and incorporate you end to end.
15–20 days turnaround★ 4.9/5 rating5,000+ businessesExpert-handled
Starts from
₹9,999
12,840+Filings completed
100%Expert-reviewed
ICAIRegistered firm
On-timeor fee waived
4.9/5Client rating
Overview
What is Section 8 Company Registration?
A Section 8 Company is a company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, for promoting objects such as commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity or protection of the environment. It intends to apply all of its profits and income only towards those objects and prohibits the payment of any dividend to its members.
Unlike a trust or society, a Section 8 Company is regulated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and enjoys the credibility of a corporate entity — a separate legal existence, limited liability for members, and structured governance. It can be registered as a private or public limited company but drops the "Private Limited" or "Limited" suffix, using names like Foundation, Association, Council or Federation instead.
Registration requires a licence from the Central Government (powers delegated to the Registrar of Companies), granted only after it is satisfied the company's profits will be applied solely to its charitable objects.
Who it's for
Who should register a Section 8 Company?
If your work is charitable or social in nature and you want a credible, well-governed entity, a Section 8 Company is the strongest choice.
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Educational & research bodies
Institutions promoting education, science or research that need a recognised, transparent not-for-profit structure.
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Social enterprises
Mission-driven ventures pursuing social, cultural or environmental objects that plan to reinvest surpluses into the cause.
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Grant & CSR seekers
Organisations that want to attract CSR funding, domestic grants and (with FCRA) foreign contributions — funders prefer Section 8 companies.
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Trade & professional associations
Chambers, federations and councils formed to promote a profession, industry or the arts on a not-for-profit basis.
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Existing trusts & societies
Bodies that have outgrown their current structure and want the stronger recognition and pan-India standing of a company.
Why register
Key benefits of a Section 8 Company
The advantages that make it the preferred structure for serious non-profits in India.
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Separate legal entity
Distinct from its members, with perpetual succession — it can own property, sign contracts and sue in its own name.
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Limited liability
Members' liability is limited; personal assets are protected from the organisation's obligations.
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Tax-exemption eligibility
Eligible to apply for 12A and 80G registration, exempting its income and letting donors claim deductions.
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Higher credibility
MCA regulation and audited accounts give it more standing with funders, banks and regulators than a trust or society.
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No minimum capital
There is no prescribed minimum capital — you can start with an amount that suits your plans.
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CSR & grant ready
The preferred vehicle for CSR spend and grants; with FCRA it can also receive foreign contributions.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria
What you need to qualify to register a Section 8 Company.
- ✓Minimum members & directorsAt least two directors and two members for a private company (three directors for a public company).
- ✓A resident directorAt least one director must have stayed in India for 182 days or more in the previous financial year.
- ✓Charitable objectsThe objects must be non-profit — promotion of commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, welfare, religion, charity or environment.
- ✓Profits applied to objectsIncome and profits must be applied solely to promote the objects; no dividend may be paid to members.
- ✓DSC & DINEach proposed director needs a Digital Signature Certificate and a Director Identification Number.
Objects
Permitted activities
A Section 8 Company may be formed to promote any of the following not-for-profit objects.
Commerce & trade promotion
Art & culture
Science & technology
Sports promotion
Education & literacy
Research
Social welfare
Religion & charity
Protection of the environment
Documents required
Documents required for registration
Have these ready and we can begin the same day. Your manager will guide you on anything you're unsure about.
- ✓PAN & Aadhaar of directorsIdentity proof for every proposed director and member.
- ✓Address proof of directorsRecent bank statement or utility bill (under 2 months) in each director's name.
- ✓Passport-size photographsOne recent photograph of each proposed director.
- ✓Registered office proofUtility bill plus rent agreement and NOC from the owner, or ownership proof.
- ✓MOA & AOA (INC-13)Memorandum and articles drafted around your charitable objects, in the prescribed format.
- ✓Declarations (INC-14 & INC-15)Declaration by a practising CA/CS/CWA and by each applicant, as required for the licence.
- ✓Projected income & expenditureAn estimate of income and expenditure for the first three years.
- ✓Statement of objects & workA brief note on the proposed work and grounds for the licence application.
How it works
The registration process
Every step handled by your Expert and tracked live, from first details to final licence.
01
Consult & define objects
Day 1–2 · You + ExpertWe confirm eligibility, frame your charitable objects and reserve a name with an approved non-profit suffix.
02
DSC & DIN
Day 2–4 · Your ExpertWe obtain Digital Signature Certificates and Director Identification Numbers for the directors.
03
Licence application (INC-12)
Day 4–10 · Your ExpertWe draft the INC-13 MOA/AOA and declarations and apply for the Section 8 licence from the Central Government.
04
File SPICe+
Day 10–15 · Your ExpertOn licence approval, we file the SPICe+ incorporation forms with the MOA and AOA.
05
Incorporated
Day 15–20 · DoneYour licence, Certificate of Incorporation, CIN, PAN and TAN are issued and delivered.
Timeline
How long it takes
Indicative timeline — actual dates depend on name approval, licence processing and MCA turnaround.
Day 1–3
Name approval
Preferred name reserved with the MCA.
Day 2–4
DSC & DIN
Digital signatures and DINs for directors.
Day 4–10
Licence & drafting
INC-12 licence applied with drafted MOA/AOA.
Day 10–15
SPICe+ filing
Incorporation forms filed on approval.
Day 15–20
Incorporated
Licence, COI, PAN & TAN delivered.
Typical total: 15–20 working days
Pricing
Registration fees
One transparent professional fee, confirmed in writing before we begin. Government and statutory fees are charged at actuals — never marked up.
- Professional fee covers name approval, licence drafting, MOA/AOA and full incorporation filing.
- Government filing fees, stamp duty and DSC costs vary by state and number of directors.
- 12A and 80G tax-exemption registrations can be added on — quoted separately.
Deliverables
What you get after registration
Everything handed over once your Section 8 Company is incorporated.
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Section 8 licence
The Central Government licence (under INC-12) authorising your non-profit company.
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Certificate of Incorporation
Your COI with a unique CIN, confirming the company is legally registered.
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DSC & DIN
Digital Signature Certificates and Director Identification Numbers for all directors.
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MOA & AOA
Your charter documents drafted around your objects, in the prescribed INC-13 format.
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Company PAN & TAN
Allotted automatically as part of the incorporation process.
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12A / 80G roadmap
Guidance on the tax-exemption registrations that benefit both the company and its donors.
After registration
Ongoing compliance requirements
A Section 8 Company has the same core compliance as any company. We can handle all of it on an annual plan.
Annual ROC filings
File AOC-4 (financial statements) and MGT-7 (annual return) with the MCA every year.
Income-tax return & audit
File the annual income-tax return and get accounts audited by a chartered accountant.
Board meetings & AGM
Hold the required board meetings and the annual general meeting, with minutes maintained.
Tax exemptions & FCRA
Maintain 12A/80G registrations and, if you receive foreign contributions, FCRA compliance.
Compare structures
Section 8 Company vs Trust vs Society
The three common ways to register a non-profit in India — and why Section 8 wins on credibility.
Feature
Section 8 Company
Trust
Society
Governing law
Companies Act, 2013
Indian Trusts Act, 1882
Societies Registration Act, 1860
Registering authority
Registrar of Companies (MCA)
Sub-Registrar
Registrar of Societies
Minimum members
2 directors / members
2 trustees
7 members
Legal recognition
Highest — pan-India
Moderate
State-level
Compliance level
High — audited & filed
Low
Moderate
Credibility for grants / CSR
Highest
Moderate
Moderate
Why us
Why choose FilingSetu for Section 8 registration?
Licence work is where most non-profit registrations stall. We do it properly, the first time.
Section 8 licence specialists
We draft the INC-13 objects and declarations that satisfy the Registrar — the step most DIY filings get wrong.
One fixed fee, in writing
The professional fee you see is the fee you pay. Government charges are passed through at actuals, never marked up.
A named manager
One point of contact who knows your file, reachable by chat, call or email, with live status tracking throughout.
Beyond incorporation
We take you through 12A, 80G and annual compliance too — so your non-profit stays funded and in good standing.
FAQ
Section 8 Company Registration, answered.
How many directors does a Section 8 Company need?
A minimum of two directors for a private Section 8 Company, or three for a public one. At least one director must be resident in India. There is no minimum capital requirement.
Do I need a separate licence?
Yes. A Section 8 Company requires a licence from the Central Government (via form INC-12) before incorporation, confirming that its profits will be applied only to its objects. We obtain it as part of the process.
Can a Section 8 Company distribute profits?
No. All income and profits must be applied towards the company's charitable objects — dividends cannot be paid to members or directors.
Is tax exemption automatic on registration?
No. Registration as a Section 8 Company is separate from tax exemption. To let the company and its donors claim benefits, you must obtain 12A and 80G registrations, which we can guide you through.
What name can a Section 8 Company use?
It cannot use "Private Limited" or "Limited" as a suffix. Instead it uses words such as Foundation, Association, Council, Federation, Chambers or Institute that reflect its non-profit character.
Can foreign nationals or NRIs be directors?
Yes, provided at least one director is resident in India. If the company intends to receive foreign contributions, it will also need FCRA registration.
Register your Section 8 Company.
Talk to an Expert about your non-profit — we'll confirm eligibility, scope the licence and give you a fixed quote. Free, no obligation.
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