Updated on June 21, 2025 05:59:19 PM
Establishing a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Puducherry is a potent way to support cultural preservation, education, healthcare, social upliftment, and environmental conservation. A vital first step is registering your NGO, which offers legal recognition and a strong basis for operating with transparency and credibility.
One of three main acts, the Societies Registration Act of 1860, the Indian Trusts Act of 1882, or Section 8 of the Companies Act of 201,3, allows NGOs to register in Puducherry. The structure and advantages of Section 8 companies may be advantageous to larger NGOs seeking to expand their operations, but most grassroots initiatives tend to focus on societies or trusts because they are easier to comply with and have simpler governance.
A NGO registration is eligible for government and CSR grant funding, 12A and 80G tax exemptions, and, if applicable, FCRA clearance to receive foreign contributions, among other benefits. These advantages foster trust among partners, donors, and local communities in addition to making fundraising possible.
A unique name must be chosen, foundational documents (such as a Memorandum of Association or Trust Deed) must be drafted, founding members' identities and addresses must be verified, and the file must be submitted to the Registrar of Societies (for societies), the local district authority (for trusts), or the Registrar of Companies (for Section 8). After being accepted, the NGO acquires legal status and a distinct identity that it can use to open bank accounts, sign contracts, and carry out official duties.
NGO Registration [Sample]
NGO registration in Puducherry is the legal process of forming a non-profit organization dedicated to public welfare, education, health, social development, or environmental causes. Individuals or groups can register their NGO in Puducherry under one of three structures: Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company, depending on their vision and operational model.
A Trust is registered with the Sub-Registrar under the Indian Trusts Act. A Society is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, while a Section 8 Company is incorporated through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) under the Companies Act, 2013.
The process typically includes choosing a name, drafting a Trust Deed or Memorandum of Association, gathering ID/address proof of members, and submitting documents to the appropriate authority. Once registered, NGOs in Puducherry become eligible for 12A and 80G tax exemptions, CSR or foreign funding (with FCRA), and legal benefits like owning property and entering contracts.
There are three types of NGO registration and each of them are governed by different laws:
Section 8 company is the most popular form of NGO registration and has more credibility among donors, government and other stakeholders. It has more benefits than traditional charitable institutions and is registered under the Companies Act, 2013. The main objective of Section 8 company is to promote arts, sports, commerce, science, religion, social welfare, charity and environmental protection. Section 8 company can be registered both as a private limited company or a public limited company.
Trust, also known as Charitable Trust, is a non-profit organization registered under the Trust Act of 1882. Trust is incorporated as a legal entity where the owner or “trustor” transfers his assets to the second party or “trustee” for the benefit of the third party or “beneficiary”. There are two types of trust - Public Trust and Private Trust. Public Trust is created to provide benefit to the general public, and Private Trust is created to benefit a particular group of individuals.
Society is a form of non-governmental organization created by a group of individuals united for a common non-profit objective of a charitable cause. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. All the entity members come together and work towards promoting charitable activities like education, art, science, religion, sport, etc.
Note: It should be ensured that the company name does not resemble the name of any other already registered company and also does not violate the provisions of emblems and names (Prevention of Improper Use Act, 1950). You can quickly check the name availability by using our company name search tool to verify the same.
The total fee for NGO registration in Puducherry is ₹9,499 , which includes government fee as well as professional fee of Professional Utilities.
| NGO Registration in Puducherry | Registration Fees |
|---|---|
| ✅ Digital Signature Certificate Fee | ₹3,000 |
| ✅ Government Fee(Stamp Duty) | ₹2,500 |
| ✅ Professional Fee | ₹3,999 |
| ✅ Total Cost | ₹9,499* |
Note: The aformentioned Fees is exclusive of GST.
*Important Note: The total cost of registering a company varies from state to state. Refer to the map for state-wise prices.
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Post incorporation of Section 8 company, you’ll receive the following documents:
Post incorporation of Trust, you’ll receive the following documents:
Post incorporation of Society, you’ll receive the following documents:
Working towards the betterment and improvement of society without any profit motive is an excellent service to the world. To do that legally, establishing an NGO is very important to get various benefits like donations from prominent foundations, tax exemptions, etc.
Choosing the suitable form of NGO is equally crucial as it is a one time work but would benefit the organization in the long-term. We at Professional Utilities offer free expert consultation to help you choose the right kind of non-profit organization as per your requirements. Get in touch with our professional team to decide which form of non-governmental organization is most suitable for your company’s goals.
At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, you need to decide which type of NGO you want to establish. Secondly, you need to arrange & provide proper identity & address proof of directors, members, and professionals' declaration (CA, CS, etc.).
It depends on the type of NGO and the number of people registered as members.
Name of a Section 8 Company (NGO) should not include the words Private Limited (Pvt. Ltd.) or Limited (Ltd.) at the end of its name. The proposed name of a Section 8 Company shall include either of the words - Foundation / Forum / Association / Federation / Chambers / Confederation / Council / Electoral Trust as per Rule 8A(1)(u) of Companies (Incorporation) Fifth Amendment Rules, 2019.
No, a single person cannot start an NGO. Minimum two people are required for Section 8 company incorporation, and at least three people are required for Trust and Society registration.
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