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Section-8 Company Registration

Section-8 Company Registration in India
NGO Registration Made Professional

A Section 8 Company is the ideal legal structure for NGOs, non-profits, foundations, charitable organizations, and social impact ventures in India. Registered under the Companies Act, 2013, it offers a professional and credible structure with better governance and legal recognition compared to Trusts and Societies. Section 8 Companies are eligible to apply for important registrations and tax benefits such as 12A, 80G, CSR-1, and FCRA, subject to eligibility and approval from the respective authorities. We provide complete assistance for Section 8 Company registration, including name approval, license application, incorporation filing, and post-registration compliance support.

Ideal for NGOs & Non-Profits
12A, 80G & CSR Eligible
Fully Online Process
Higher Legal Credibility

500+

Section 8 companies set up

INC-12 + SPICe+

central-govt licence handled

7+

Years of Legal Expertise

CHOOSE YOUR PLAN

Register your Section 8 Company with pocket-friendly prices

Elemental
Rs.13,499
Rs.7,999
+ Govt. fees & GST extra
  • Name Search & Availability Report
  • Section 8 license + SPICe+ Part A name reservation
  • DIN application for 2 directors (via SPICe+)
  • MOA & AOA drafting (charitable-object template)
  • INC-13 / Affidavit / INC-14 / INC-15 declarations drafting
  • SPICe+ Part B + AGILE-PRO-S filing
  • PAN + TAN + Certificate of Incorporation delivery
★ MOST POPULAR
Enriched
Rs.18,999
Rs.12,999
+ Govt. fees & GST extra
  • Everything in Elemental
  • First Board Meeting kit (notice, agenda, minutes)
  • 1st Auditor Appointment Documents
  • Bank account opening assistance
  • Share Certificate
  • Commencement of Business (INC-20A)
  • Udyam / MSME Registration
✦ FULL-SERVICE
Supreme
Rs.24,999
Rs.19,999
+ Govt. fees & GST extra
  • Everything in Enriched
  • Annual ITR Filing — Company
  • Financial Statements Filing — AOC-4
  • Annual Return Filing — MGT-7
  • Auditor Appointment Filing — ADT-1 (in 1st AGM)
✦ FULL-SERVICE
Supreme Plus
Rs.34,999
Rs.29,999
+ Govt. fees & GST extra
  • Everything in Supreme
  • Directors' Report Preparation
  • Minutes of Board & General Meetings (1st FY)
  • Statutory E-Register Maintenance
  • DPT-3 & MSME-1 Filing (if applicable)
  • ITR Filing for 2 Directors
  • Section 12A / 35AC / 80G strategy advisory call
  • Form 10A application (12A registration — tax exemption)
  • Form 10AB application (80G registration — donor benefits)

Indicative Government & Out-of-Pocket CostsBilled at Actuals

These are estimated government fees charged over and above our professional fee. Actual amounts may vary by state, capital, and director count.

Cost HeadTypical RangeNotes
RUN Name ReservationRs.1,000Per attempt; 2 names per attempt
Stamp Duty on MOA/AOARs.500 – Rs.2,000Generally lower than commercial Pvt Ltd; state-based
PAN + TANRs.0Issued free along with COI
Class 3 DSC (2-yr)Rs.1,999 / personFor 2 directors + non-director subscribers
DINRs.500 / directorAuto-applied via SPICe+ for first 3 directors
12A + 80G Filing (Form 10A/10AB)Rs.0No govt fee; we handle as part of Enriched / Supreme

TERMS & CONDITIONS

By subscribing to the above plans, you agree to abide by our following additional terms and conditions

  1. Professional Fee Only: All quoted prices are exclusive of government fees, statutory levies, and out-of-pocket costs. Our fee covers professional services — advisory, MOA/AOA + INC-13/14/15 drafting, SPICe+ filing, Section 8 licence coordination, and post-incorporation handover.
  2. Government Fees Payable Separately: RUN name reservation fee (Rs.1,000 per attempt), and state stamp duty on MOA / AOA (typically Rs.500 – Rs.2,000) are payable to MCA / state government and reimbursed at actuals.
  3. DSC & DIN Charges: Class 3 DSC at Rs.1,999 + GST per person — required for both directors and any non-director subscribers. DIN auto-applied via SPICe+ for the first 3 directors.
  4. GST on Our Fee: All quoted prices are exclusive of GST @ 18%, charged at checkout.
  5. Charitable Object Restriction: Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 requires the company's object to be promotion of commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of environment, or any other useful object. Profits and income are to be applied for promoting the object; no dividend can be paid to members. The object cannot be amended without Central Government approval.
  6. Directors & Shareholders: A Section 8 (Pvt Ltd) Company requires a minimum of 2 directors and 2 shareholders under the Companies Act, 2013. Section 8 (Public Ltd) variant requires 3 directors and 7 shareholders. Maximum directors: 15 (Pvt Ltd). At least one director must be resident in India (120-day stay test).
  7. 12A / 80G: These are SEPARATE registrations under the Income Tax Act, MCA CSR rules, and FCRA respectively — NOT automatic with Section 8 incorporation. The Supreme Plus tier includes 12A + 80G applications.
  8. Refund Policy: Full refund of professional fee (less Rs.2,499 documentation handling) is available if SPICe+ Part B is not filed within 10 working days from receipt of complete documents. Government fees and DSC charges already paid are non-refundable.
  9. Out-of-Scope Items: Trust Deed / Society Bye-laws conversion, foreign-donor compliance under FEMA, registered office shifting, alteration of MOA / AOA after incorporation (requires Central Government approval), conversion to other types of companies, and ongoing fund-raising compliance are not included and quoted separately.
  10. Post-Incorporation Compliance: Plans do not include statutory audits, DIR-3 KYC, GSTR returns (if registered), Form 10B audit report (for 12A entities), or Form CSR-1, CSR-2 filings. These are billed separately.
Section 8 Company Registration by Legal Terminus

Legal Terminus Priority ⚖

A Section 8 Company offers higher credibility, better governance, and stronger legal recognition compared to Trusts and Societies. It is the preferred structure for NGOs, foundations, CSR funding, grants, and impact-driven organizations. Section 8 registration involves detailed documentation, government approvals, object-clause drafting, and compliance review. With LT Priority, your application receives faster coordination, dedicated attention, and professional monitoring throughout the registration process.

What you get

  • ⏱️72-hour SLA on first MOA / AOA draft — and a same-day name search and object-clause review.
  • 📋Senior-expert reviewed MOA — charitable object precision, no commercial drift.
  • 📞Direct line to your assigned expert + tax counsel for 12A / 80G drafting.
  • 📱Real-time CRC status updates on mail and WhatsApp — no refreshing the MCA portal at midnight.
  • 📦Post-incorporation kit: COI, MOA, AOA and compliance calendar.

Important Notes

  • The object clause MUST be charitable / not-for-profit — any commercial-leaning language (e.g. 'profit', 'business', 'enterprise') is rejected by the RoC. Even ancillary objects must be subordinate to the charitable purpose. We draft and stress-test the object before filing.
  • Section 8 companies CANNOT distribute profits or pay dividends. All surplus must be applied to the charitable object. Founders / directors can only receive reasonable remuneration for services rendered (not profit share). Make sure all subscribers are aligned on this.
  • 12A and 80G registrations are SEPARATE applications (under the Income Tax Act, not Companies Act). Without them, your Section 8 company has no tax exemption and donors get no benefit. Apply within 1 year of incorporation for cleanest treatment. The Enriched tier handles this.
  • A Section 8 company cannot be converted into a regular Pvt Ltd / OPC / LLP without Central Government approval and surrender of accumulated charitable assets. Pick this structure only if you genuinely intend a non-profit operating model.
Consult a Legal Expert
Section 8 Company illustration

Why Choose a Section 8 Company

A Section 8 Company is a legally recognized non-profit organization structure registered under the Companies Act, 2013. It is designed for organizations working towards charitable, social, educational, cultural, environmental, religious, or non-profit objectives. Unlike regular companies, a Section 8 Company cannot distribute profits to its members or directors. Any income or surplus earned must be used only for promoting the organization's objectives and activities.

One of the biggest advantages of a Section 8 Company is its higher legal credibility and structured governance. It enjoys benefits such as separate legal identity, limited liability protection, perpetual succession, and better transparency through statutory compliance and audited accounts. Section 8 Companies are widely preferred by CSR contributors, institutional donors, government authorities, and foreign funding agencies because of their professional structure and regulatory oversight. Compared to Trusts and Societies, a Section 8 Company offers stronger compliance standards, better credibility, and improved opportunities for grants, partnerships, CSR funding, and large-scale social impact projects.

Section 8 vs Trust vs Society: The Deep Dive

Three non-profit structures, three different best-fits. Here's the honest 2026 comparison:

ParameterSection 8 Co.Public TrustSociety
Governing LawCompanies Act 2013Indian Trusts Act / state Public Trusts ActsSocieties Registration Act 1860
Registered WithMCA / RoC (central)Charity Commissioner / Sub-Registrar (state)Registrar of Societies (state)
Min Members2 directors + 2 subs2 trustees7 members
Statutory AuditMandatory regardlessRequired if income > Rs.50,000Conditional
Annual MCA FilingsMGT-7 + AOC-4 + DIR-3NoneAnnual return (state-specific)
Donor CredibilityHighestMediumMedium
CSR Funding EligibilityYes (with CSR-1)Yes (with CSR-1)Yes (with CSR-1)
Foreign Funding (FCRA)EligibleEligibleEligible
Setup Cost (Total)Rs.15K – Rs.30KRs.5K – Rs.15KRs.5K – Rs.12K
Setup Time20 – 25 days10 – 20 days15 – 30 days

Types of Section 8 Company Registration in India

Section 8 is one structure — but the object clause and the post-incorporation compliance stack change dramatically by activity. Six common variants we set up — pick the one that matches your mission.

01

Education-Focused Section 8

For educational foundations, scholarship trusts, online learning non-profits, and digital literacy initiatives. Object clause focuses on advancement of education. Pairs with 12A + 80G + Section 35AC (where applicable). Often eligible for state-level education-grant schemes.

02

Healthcare / Medical Relief Section 8

For hospitals, dispensaries, telemedicine non-profits, mental-health foundations, and disease-research orgs. Object clause focuses on medical relief / health. Eligible for CSR funding under Schedule VII(i). Pairs cleanly with FCRA for international medical donors.

03

Environmental / Sustainability Section 8

For climate orgs, conservation foundations, animal welfare, sustainable-agriculture non-profits. Object clause focuses on environment / animal welfare. CSR Schedule VII(iv) eligible. Often international-donor-funded — FCRA registration recommended.

04

Arts / Culture / Heritage Section 8

For cultural foundations, heritage preservation trusts, performing-arts non-profits, and museum-style orgs. Object clause focuses on art / culture / heritage. CSR Schedule VII(v) eligible. Smaller donor base than other variants — 80G crucial for retail-donor traction.

05

Sports & Youth Development Section 8

For sports foundations, athlete-development non-profits, youth coaching academies, rural-sports orgs. Object clause focuses on promotion of sports. CSR Schedule VII(vii) eligible. Often paired with state sports authority partnerships.

06

Social Welfare / Charity Section 8

The broadest category — poverty alleviation, women / children / elderly welfare, disability support, livelihood orgs, food security. Object clause is general charitable. Eligible across multiple CSR Schedule VII categories. Most donor-flexible structure.

Benefits of Section 8 Company Registration in India

Section 8 isn't a 'lighter Pvt Ltd' — it's a different instrument with different unlocks. Here's what genuinely matters once you're past Day 1:

Tax Exemption (12A)

Once registered under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, the company's surplus / income is exempt from income tax (subject to applying 85%+ to charitable objects in the year). This is the foundational tax benefit — without it, your 'non-profit' pays 30% income tax on surplus.

Donor Tax Deduction (80G)

Donors to your Section 8 company can claim 50% (or 100% in select cases) deduction on their donations under Section 80G. This is the main reason individual and corporate donors choose registered non-profits. Without 80G, retail donor mobilisation is virtually impossible.

Institutional Credibility & Governance

Audited accounts. Statutory MCA filings. Independent directors. Board minutes. Structured AOA. All the governance plumbing that institutional donors, Tata / Reliance / Wipro CSR teams, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation due-diligence checklists actually require.

CSR Funding Eligibility

With CSR-1 registration (separate MCA filing), Section 8 companies become eligible recipients of corporate CSR spends. Indian companies with profit > Rs.5 crore are mandated to spend 2% of net profit on CSR — that's a Rs.25,000+ crore annual pool you can apply to.

FCRA-Compatible Structure

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act registration / prior-permission for foreign donations is structurally well-suited to Section 8 (cleaner balance-sheet history, MCA filings, audited accounts). Trust / Society routes are FCRA-eligible too but face longer scrutiny.

Limited Liability + Separate Legal Entity

Founders' personal assets are insulated. The company can sign contracts, hold assets, sue and be sued in its own name. Trustees / society members face higher personal-liability risk than Section 8 directors — especially for large grants and government contracts.

Steps for Section 8 Company Registration in India

Ten steps. 20–25 working days end-to-end (Section 8 is slower than commercial Pvt Ltd because of the additional Central-Government licence layer).

1

Discovery & Object LockDay 0

30-min call with our expert to confirm: charitable object (education / health / environment / sports / arts / social welfare), business plan, geographies of operation, member structure, and post-incorporation compliance roadmap (12A / 80G / CSR-1 / Darpan / FCRA).

2

Document Submission & DSC ProcurementDay 1–3

Share KYC documents and registered office address proof with us (as per checklist). This is your only job at the start — we handle everything from here. Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates issued to all directors and subscribers via Aadhaar e-KYC. Same-day for resident Indians; 3–5 days for NRIs / foreign nationals (apostille documents required).

3

Company Name & Objects FinalizationDay 3–5

We run a preliminary name availability check and help you finalize your company name and business objects (what your company will do). The name must comply with MCA naming guidelines and must not conflict with existing registered companies, LLPs, or trademarks.

4

SPICe+ Part A — Name ReservationDay 3–5

Filed with 2 proposed names reflecting the charitable object (e.g., 'Foundation', 'Sansthan', 'Trust', 'Council'). 'Private Limited' / 'Limited' suffix is OPTIONAL for Section 8 companies under Rule 8(7). CRC reviews under Rule 8.

5

MOA + AOA + INC-13 / 14 / 15 DraftingDay 5–10

MOA (object clause + capital + state) and AOA (governance, no-dividend clause, application of income) drafted. INC-13 (declaration by promoters), INC-14 (CA / CS declaration), INC-15 (subscriber declaration) drafted.

6

SPICe+ Part B + AGILE-PRO-S FilingDay 15–20

Master incorporation form filed with the Section 8 licence attached: PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC (where applicable), Bank Account. Stamp duty paid online.

7

CRC Examination & COI + Section 8 Licence IssuanceDay 20–23

CRC reviews under Rule 12. Section 8 Licence issued, COI issued under Section 7(2). PAN, TAN, CIN allotted. CIN format reflects 'NPL' (non-profit limited) classification.

8

Post-Incorporation OnboardingDay 25

We deliver: COI PDF, Section 8 Licence, MOA/AOA stamped copies, share certificate templates, statutory registers, first board meeting agenda + minutes, INC-20A (commencement) reminder, DIR-3 KYC reminder, and a 90-day compliance calendar.

Documents Required for Section 8 Company Registration in India

Six categories. Per-person documents apply to all directors and subscribers. We send a personalised checklist after the discovery call.

Individual Documents

Required for each director & shareholder

Director & Subscriber Identity

Mandatory for all directors & shareholders
  • Self-attested PAN card (mandatory)
  • Self-attested Aadhaar
  • Driving Licence / Passport as ID for foreign nationals/NRI: notarized + apostilled passport copy

Address Proof (Per Person)

Not older than 60 days from the date of filing
  • Self-attested Bank statement OR gas bill OR mobile bill — not older than 60 days from filing date

Passport Size Photograph (Per Person)

All proposed directors / shareholders
  • Latest passport-size photograph of all proposed directors / shareholders

Registered Office Documents

Required for the company's registered address

Registered Office Proof

Latest utility bill for office address (not older than 2 months)
  • Latest Utility Bill for Office Address (Not Older Than 2 Months)
  • Electricity Bill
  • Water Bill
  • Gas Bill

Rent Agreement (If Business Premises is Rented)

Only if the registered office is on rented premises
  • Duly notarized Rent Agreement between the owner of the property and one of the directors of the proposed company

No Objection Certificate (NOC)

NOC from property owner
  • NOC from Property Owner permitting use of premises as Registered Office
  • Note: Residential property is permissible as Registered Office under MCA guidelines

Section 8 Company Registration — FAQs

Got questions? We've got answers — straight, no-BS, legally accurate.

A Section 8 Company is a non-profit organization registered under the Companies Act, 2013 for charitable, social, educational, environmental, cultural, religious, or similar objectives. Unlike regular companies, a Section 8 Company cannot distribute profits to its members or directors. Any income earned must be used only for promoting the organization's objectives and activities. It is one of the most credible and professionally recognized legal structures for NGOs and non-profit organizations in India.
The total cost depends on factors such as the number of directors, DSC requirements, authorized capital, and state-wise stamp duty. Our professional fee covers drafting, filing, advisory, and registration support. Government fees, DSC charges, DIN fees, and stamp duty are charged separately on actuals with complete transparency. The complete cost estimate is shared before starting the registration process.
Section 8 Company registration usually takes around 20–25 working days, subject to document readiness and government approval timelines.
Three quick filters. (1) Are you targeting institutional donors (CSR teams, foreign foundations, government grants)? Section 8 wins on credibility. (2) Is your operation small, family-driven, low-budget, no institutional donors? Trust or Society is cheaper to set up and run. (3) Will you scale to multiple states / hundreds of crores in budget? Section 8 — structured governance is essential. We run this analysis live on the discovery call.
12A and 80G are registrations under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • 12A registration helps eligible non-profit organizations claim income tax exemption.
  • 80G registration allows donors to claim tax deductions on eligible donations made to the organization.
These registrations are separate from Section 8 incorporation and can be applied for after incorporation.
Yes. Directors or founders can receive reasonable remuneration for genuine services provided to the organization. However, profit distribution, dividends, or personal benefit from the organization's income is not permitted under Section 8 regulations.
CSR-1 is a one-time registration with the MCA (Form CSR-1 under Rule 4 of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules) that any non-profit must complete to become eligible to receive CSR funds from Indian companies. Without CSR-1, no Indian company can give you CSR money — regardless of how good your project is. Required documents: PAN, registration certificate (COI for Section 8), 12A, 80G, and last 3 years' annual reports / audited accounts (or shorter if newer). The Supreme tier includes CSR-1 filing.
Yes, but foreign donations can only be accepted after obtaining approval or registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), subject to eligibility conditions. Newly incorporated organizations may apply for prior permission in specific cases.
Technically yes, but it's heavily restricted. Conversion requires Central Government approval, surrender of accumulated charitable assets to another Section 8 company, settlement of any pending tax / FCRA dues, and a special resolution. The process takes 6–12 months and is only granted in genuine cases (e.g., the original charitable purpose has become impossible). In practice, most Section 8 companies dissolve rather than convert. Pick this structure only if you're committed to a non-profit operating model.
Legal Terminus provides complete support for Section 8 Company incorporation, including name approval, MOA & AOA drafting, Section 8 license filing, incorporation, and post-registration compliance guidance. We also assist with 12A, 80G, CSR-1, and other non-profit registrations through dedicated professional support and transparent pricing.

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