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Eligibility Criteria for Registering a Society in India

Eligibility Criteria for Registering a Society in India

Learn who can register a society in India, the minimum member requirement, valid objectives, and other key eligibility criteria in this quick guide

Table Of Contents

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.


Who Can Register a Society in India?

To register a society in India, you must fulfill certain eligibility conditions:

1. Minimum Number of Members

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.

2. Types of Members Eligible

  • 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.

3. Age Requirement

Members must be at least 18 years old. There’s no maximum limit on the number of members.


Purposes for Which a Society Can Be Registered

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.


Other Basic Eligibility Requirements

4. Registered Office Address

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

5. Unique Society Name

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.


Ineligibility: Who Cannot Register a Society?

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


Documents Required from Eligible Members

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.


Conclusion

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.

Akash Kumar

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