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Learn who can register a society in India, the minimum member requirement, valid objectives, and other key eligibility criteria in this quick guide
If you’re planning to start a non-profit organization in India, registering a society is a popular legal route. Societies are generally formed to promote charitable activities like education, health, culture, art, science, sports, and more. However, before jumping into the registration process, it’s important to understand whether your group qualifies under the eligibility criteria for society registration in India.
In this blog, we’ll explain who can form a society, the minimum number of members required, and other basic requirements set under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
To register a society in India, you must fulfill certain eligibility conditions:
A society must have at least 7 members to be registered. These can include individuals, companies, foreigners, or other registered societies. One of these members must be a resident of India.
Indian citizens (above 18 years of age)
Foreign nationals residing in or outside India
Registered firms, companies, or other societies
Note: Although foreigners and other entities can be part of the society, at least one Indian citizen must be included.
Members must be at least 18 years old. There’s no maximum limit on the number of members.
The society must be formed for a legal, charitable, or social cause. Some eligible purposes include:
Promotion of literature, fine arts, or science
Spreading useful knowledge or political education
Establishment and maintenance of libraries or reading rooms
Public museums and galleries
Social welfare and charitable work
Preservation of environment or cultural heritage
Societies cannot be formed for profit-making. If your organization aims to generate profits for personal use, you are not eligible for society registration.
You need a proper address proof of the society’s registered office. This can be:
Electricity or water bill
Rent agreement or NOC from the property owner
The proposed name must:
Not resemble any existing registered society
Not use terms like Government, National, India, or any name prohibited under the Emblems and Names Act, 1950
Reflect the society’s objectives
The Registrar of Societies has the authority to reject names that are misleading or too similar to existing ones.
While there are no explicit restrictions, the following may face issues:
Individuals below 18 years of age
Unregistered firms or associations
Groups that do not fulfill the objective criteria under the Societies Act
Each eligible member must submit:
Self-attested ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.)
Passport-size photographs
Signatures on MoA and Rules & Regulations
Consent letter (if needed)
The Memorandum of Association (MoA) must be signed by all founding members and submitted with the registration application.
Understanding the eligibility criteria for society registration in India helps you ensure that your group or organization is compliant from day one. Whether you’re a group of individuals or an institution looking to create social impact, meeting the basic criteria like having a minimum of 7 members, a valid purpose, and a registered address is essential.
If you meet these conditions, you can proceed with documentation and submit your application to the Registrar of Societies in your state.
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