Societies in India are governed by the provisions of the Societies Registration Act 1860 which is a central Act, with each state adopting it with certain modifications. As per section 20 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the following societies may be registered under this Act:-
- Charitable societies;
- The military orphan funds or societies established at the several presidencies of India;
- Societies established for the promotion of science, literature, or the fine arts, for instruction, the diffusion of useful knowledge, the diffusion of Political education, the foundation or maintenance of libraries or reading-rooms for general use among the members or open to the public, or public museum and galleries of paintings and other works of arts, collection of natural history, mechanical and philosophical inventions, instruments or designs.
In addition to the above purposes, based on the Societies Registration Act that is amended and implemented by the respective State Government, the purposes for which a Society can be registered in India may vary.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO REGISTER SOCIETY IN INDIA:
- Aadhar & PAN Card of members
- MOA
- Residence Proof of Member
- Residence address for society
- Covering Letter
- List of Members with Address and ID Proof
- Declaration by Member holding the position
REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION OF CHARITABLE SOCIETY:
- minimum of seven or more persons.
- Drafting of the Memorandum of a Society or Memorandum of Association of a Society: It is a document which lays down the name, address, objects, details of the members of the governing body/directors, etc., of the society. When selecting a name for society registration, it is vital to understand that according to Society Act, 1860, an identical or similar name of a currently registered society will not be allowed. Moreover, the proposed name shall not suggest for any patronage of state government or government of India or fascinate the provisions of Emblem & Names Act, 1950.
- Drafting of the Rules and Regulation of the Society.
- Filing of the duly executed Memorandum and the Rules and Regulation document along with other requisite documents and the prescribed fee to the Registrar of Societies or other concerned authority in the State responsible for Society Registration.
- On reviewing the application for society registration, the Registrar can then approve the Society registration or request for additional details, if required.
Specimen MOA link for reference
Specimen Bye Laws link for reference
Societies Registration Act 1860 Link for reference