Start your NGO in
India — the right way.
Register your Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company — and get 12A, 80G, CSR-1, and FCRA. Everything done online by a qualified CA. Fixed fees. Free 30-min consultation. No hidden charges.
7
Registration types
~15d
Typical turnaround
₹0
Hidden charges
Everything in one place
Click to see the process, cost, and timeline.
Register your NGO
First, choose a legal form — Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company.
Section 8 Company
Register a not-for-profit company online across India.
Public Charitable Trust
The simplest way to register an NGO in India — fast and low cost.
Society
Register a member-led NGO under the Societies Act — ideal for group causes.
Get 12A and 80G
12A saves tax for your NGO. 80G gives tax benefit to your donors.
Apply for CSR-1 and FCRA
CSR-1 for Indian company funds. FCRA for foreign donations.
Not sure which?
Trust vs Society vs Section 8
The three ways to register an NGO in India — compared side by side.
Trust
Simplest- Min people
- 2 trustees
- Best for
- Family-led NGOs
- Total cost
- ₹8k – 15k
- Online
- Mostly (1 visit)
- Governed by
- Trust Act
Society
Member-based- Min people
- 7 members
- Best for
- Community groups
- Total cost
- ₹8k – 15k
- Online
- Mostly
- Governed by
- Societies Act
Section 8 Company
Most professional- Min people
- 2 directors
- Best for
- Pan-India / CSR
- Total cost
- ₹15k – 20k
- Online
- 100% online
- Governed by
- Companies Act
Still unsure? On a free call our CA picks the right form for your goal, budget, and funding plans — before you spend a rupee.
Transparent pricing
How our fees compare
Our fixed professional fee vs what other firms typically charge for the same service.
Typical market = professional fees publicly listed by leading NGO filing firms (2026), indicative only. Government fees (stamp duty, MCA, FCRA ₹10,000 etc.) are extra and identical for everyone — we never mark them up.
Why founders trust us
Done right, by real CAs
Work with a real CA
Your work is done by a qualified chartered accountant, not a call-centre agent. 10+ years of NGO experience.
Clear pricing, no surprises
Fees shown upfront. No hidden charges. Government fees are paid by you directly — we never mark them up.
Finish on time
Every case has a fixed timeline. We track it for you — no chasing, no long waits.
Free Sevastack after
Once your NGO is registered, run donations, 80G receipts, and FCRA returns free on Sevastack.
How it works
Simple, 6-step process
Fill the form
Share a few basic details. Takes less than a minute.
Free 30-min call
A CA calls you within one working day and answers every doubt.
Send documents
Simple checklist sent on WhatsApp. Upload online — no courier needed.
CA files everything
CA handles all paperwork, government queries, and follow-ups.
Get your certificate
Certificate delivered by email and post once approved.
Run NGO on Sevastack
Use Sevastack free to manage donors, receipts, and compliance.
Get started today
Fill out the form below and our CA partner will reach out within 24 hours.
Common questions
NGO registration — your questions, answered
The things most NGO founders ask us. Can't find your answer? Ping us on WhatsApp.
How do I start an NGO in India?+
Four steps. First, pick a legal form — Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company. Second, register it with the government. Third, apply for 12A and 80G so your NGO pays no tax and your donors get tax benefit. Fourth, apply for CSR-1 (for Indian company funds) and FCRA (for foreign funds) when you are ready. Our CA partner handles all four — you just share documents.
How much does it cost to register an NGO in India?+
It depends on the type. A Trust or Society costs around ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 in total (professional + government fee). A Section 8 Company costs about ₹15,000 to ₹20,000. 12A and 80G together cost around ₹8,000 (no government fee). CSR-1 costs about ₹5,000. FCRA is the biggest — around ₹35,000 including the ₹10,000 government fee. All our professional fees are fixed and shown upfront.
Which is better — Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company?+
A Trust is simple and best for family-led NGOs with 2–3 founders. A Society is member-based (minimum 7 people) and good for community groups. A Section 8 Company is the most professional — best if you plan to work across India or raise CSR funds from big companies. On a free call, our CA will help you pick the right one for your goal.
Can I register an NGO online in India?+
Yes, almost fully online. Section 8 Company registration is 100% online through the MCA portal. 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 filings are also fully online. Only Trust registration needs one physical visit to the sub-registrar for signing — all other steps are digital. You don't need to visit our office.
Can I start an NGO alone?+
No. Every NGO form needs at least 2 people. Trust needs at least 2 trustees. Section 8 Company needs at least 2 directors. Society needs at least 7 members. You can include family members, but for 12A/80G approval it helps to have at least one non-family member.
How long does NGO registration take?+
Registration (Trust / Society / Section 8) takes 2 to 4 weeks. 12A and 80G together take 4 to 8 weeks after that. CSR-1 is fast — 1 to 2 weeks once 12A/80G are granted. FCRA is the slowest and takes 3 to 6 months. Most NGOs get registered with 12A and 80G in about 2 to 3 months.
Do I need both 12A and 80G certificates?+
Yes, get both together. 12A makes your NGO's income tax-free. 80G lets your donors claim 50% tax deduction on their donations — this alone can double your fundraising. Both are filed in the same Form 10A, so one application gets both.
What documents do I need to register an NGO?+
Basic documents: PAN and Aadhaar of all founders, latest electricity bill or rent agreement of the office address, NOC from the owner (if rented), photographs of founders, and a draft of your NGO's objectives. A full checklist is shared after your free consultation — based on the type you choose.
Can my home address be used as the NGO's registered office?+
Yes. You can use your home as the NGO's registered office. You just need an electricity bill in your name (or a rent agreement + NOC if rented). Many NGOs start this way and shift to a commercial address later.
What happens if my NGO application is rejected?+
Our CA handles all government queries and replies on your behalf — no extra charge. If re-submission is needed due to new documents, it is included in our fee. We don't take cases unless we are confident they will get approved.
Do you work across India?+
Yes. Our CA partner is based in Pune but serves NGOs in every Indian state — Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and beyond. Everything is handled online over WhatsApp, email, and video call. You don't have to travel.
Are government fees included in your price?+
No. The amount we show is only our professional fee — what you pay us. Government fees (stamp duty, MCA filing fees, etc.) are paid directly by you to the government. We never collect or mark them up. Your proposal will clearly show both amounts.
What happens after my NGO is registered?+
You get free access to Sevastack — India's complete NGO management platform. Issue 80G receipts instantly, track donors, manage projects, file Form 10BD, track FCRA quarterly returns, and never miss a compliance deadline. All in one place.
Register your NGO in your city
City-specific guidance on process, stamp duty, and local offices.
Manage it all on Sevastack
Donors, 80G receipts, FCRA returns, compliance deadlines, CSR proposals — one unified platform. Free for newly registered NGOs.
Start free with Sevastack