Incorporation

Section 8 Company Registration

A Section 8 Company is the most credible structure for a non-profit in India — better governance than a trust or society, and the structure institutional donors and CSR funders prefer.

Non-profit with corporate governance
Preferred by CSR and institutional donors
12A and 80G registration support
No minimum capital requirement

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Government fee from: Nil
Our fee from: ₹19,999
Typical timeline: 1–3 months

Overview

Trust, society or Section 8 company

A Section 8 Company is incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 for promoting commerce, art, science, sport, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, environmental protection or similar objects. Profits, if any, must be applied to those objects — no dividend may be paid to members.

India offers three non-profit structures: a public charitable trust, a society under the Societies Registration Act, and a Section 8 company. The Section 8 company is the most rigorous of the three, with MCA oversight, mandatory audit, statutory registers and annual filings. That rigour is precisely why CSR funders, foreign donors and institutional grant-makers prefer it — governance is transparent and verifiable on a public register.

Incorporation requires a licence from the Central Government, applied for in Form INC-12 alongside the SPICe+ incorporation. The MoA must be in Form INC-13 and set out the charitable objects clearly. There is no minimum capital requirement, and the word 'Limited' or 'Private Limited' need not appear in the name.

After incorporation, most Section 8 companies register under Section 12A for income-tax exemption and Section 80G so that donors can claim deductions. If foreign contributions are intended, FCRA registration is a separate and considerably more demanding process.

Why it matters

What section 8 company gives you

The practical advantages, not the marketing version.

Highest donor credibility

CSR funders and institutional grant-makers prefer Section 8 companies for their governance and transparency.

Tax exemption available

Section 12A registration exempts the organisation's income from tax.

80G for your donors

Donors can claim a deduction on contributions, which materially improves fundraising.

No minimum capital

Incorporate with any amount of capital — there is no prescribed floor.

Name flexibility

'Limited' or 'Private Limited' need not appear in the name — Foundation, Association or Institute may be used.

Separate legal identity

Perpetual succession and limited liability, unlike an unregistered trust or association.

How it works

The process, step by step

Every stage, with realistic timelines — including the ones that depend on the registry rather than on us.

12–4 days
DSC and name reservation
Class 3 DSCs obtained for directors, and the proposed name reserved through SPICe+ Part A.
23–5 days
Object clauses and MoA
MoA drafted in Form INC-13 setting out the charitable objects, with AoA and the required declarations in Form INC-14 and INC-15.
32–3 days
Licence application (INC-12)
Application for a Section 8 licence filed with the Registrar, together with projected income and expenditure for the next three years.
415–30 days
Licence granted
The Registrar examines the objects and issues the Section 8 licence in Form INC-16.
57–10 days
SPICe+ incorporation
Incorporation filed with DIN, PAN and TAN. Certificate of Incorporation issued with CIN.
61–3 months
12A and 80G registration
Applications filed in Form 10A with the Income Tax Department for exemption and donor-deduction status.

Documents

What you need to provide

Have these ready and the filing moves quickly. We tell you if anything is missing before we start.

From every director and subscriber

PAN card and Aadhaar card
Address proof (bank statement or utility bill, not older than 2 months)
Passport-size photograph
Email address and mobile number

Section 8 specific

Detailed statement of proposed charitable objects
Projected income and expenditure for three years
Declaration in Form INC-14 by a professional
Declaration in Form INC-15 by each subscriber
MoA in Form INC-13
List of proposed activities and beneficiaries

For the registered office

Electricity bill or property tax receipt
Rent agreement, if rented
No Objection Certificate from the owner

Official fees

Official government fees

These are statutory fees payable to the government, separate from our professional fee. We never mark them up.

Fee type	Amount	Notes
MCA registration fee	Nil	Section 8 companies are exempt from registration fees.
Name reservation (SPICe+ Part A)	₹1,000	Per application.
Licence application (INC-12)	₹2,000	Government fee.
Digital Signature Certificate	₹1,500–₹2,500	Per director.
Stamp duty on MoA and AoA	Varies	Many states exempt or reduce duty for Section 8 companies.
12A and 80G registration	Nil	No government fee for Form 10A.

Section 8 companies enjoy fee concessions at several stages. Stamp duty treatment varies by state, with many granting full exemption.

Our pricing

Transparent professional fees

Fixed fees, quoted upfront. Government fees are charged at cost and shown separately on every invoice.

Section 8 Incorporation

Licence and incorporation, handled end to end.

₹19,999+ government fee

2 Digital Signature Certificates
Name reservation
MoA in INC-13 with object clauses drafted
INC-12 licence application
Three-year projected financials
SPICe+ incorporation with DIN, PAN, TAN

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Most chosen

Incorporation + Exemptions

Incorporation plus 12A and 80G registration.

₹34,999+ government fee

Everything in Section 8 Incorporation
Section 12A registration (Form 10A)
Section 80G registration
Bank account opening assistance
Statutory registers and share certificates
First-year compliance calendar

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Complete NGO Setup

Including FCRA, CSR readiness and brand protection.

Custom

Everything in Incorporation + Exemptions
FCRA registration guidance
CSR-1 registration for corporate funding
Darpan / NGO portal registration
Trademark registration for the organisation name
Governance policy documentation

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FAQ

Questions we get asked

If your question is not here, send it over — we answer directly rather than routing you to a form.

What is the difference between a Section 8 company, a trust and a society?

A trust is the simplest and cheapest but has minimal governance and limited credibility with institutional funders. A society requires seven members and is governed by state law with varying quality of administration. A Section 8 company has the strongest governance framework, national recognition, and is the structure CSR and institutional donors most readily fund.

Can a Section 8 company earn profit?

It can generate surplus, but that surplus must be applied entirely to promoting its objects. No dividend or distribution may be made to members or directors. Directors may receive reasonable remuneration for services actually rendered.

How long does Section 8 registration take?

Typically 30 to 45 days, with the licence application in INC-12 accounting for most of that. Subsequent 12A and 80G registration adds one to three months.

Is 12A and 80G registration automatic?

No. They are separate applications to the Income Tax Department in Form 10A after incorporation. 12A exempts the organisation's income from tax; 80G lets donors claim a deduction. Both are usually granted provisionally first and then require renewal.

Can a Section 8 company receive foreign donations?

Only with FCRA registration from the Ministry of Home Affairs. FCRA requires the organisation to have existed for three years with a track record of activity, and is a considerably more demanding process than 12A or 80G. Prior permission for a specific donation is an alternative route for newer organisations.

Still unsure? Book a free consultation and we will tell you honestly whether this is the right service for you.

Ready to start your section 8 company?

Talk to an IP professional first. No obligation, no sales script — just a clear view of where you stand and what it will cost.

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