Society Registration Process in India: How to Start, Documents, etc.

Society Registration Process in India: We have several questions about Society. If anybody desires to start a Society, what they do, and how to start, we share the solution regarding Society. Let’s begin with the basics: a society is an association of individuals combined using a mutual accord to deliberate, govern, and act cooperatively for some communal purpose. This article provides complete information about the “Cooperative Society Registration Process.” You should know about Society; under which act should Society be registered? How to start a society, Document Required, etc. 

What is Society?

A society is a union of individuals united by mutual consent to consider, determine and cooperate for everyday purposes. Societies are characterized by models of connections (social relations) between individuals who share a unique culture and institutions; a given society may be described as the total of such relationships among its constituent members. Societies are usually registered to promote charitable activities such as education, health, environment, arts, religion, culture, music, sports, etc.

Society Act of 1860

Under the Societies Registration Act in India, the Society undertakes specific procedures for registration and operation. The Act was enacted to increase the legal conditions of society’s registration to promote free education, free treatment, fine arts, and science to promote the poor and awareness for plentiful purposes. Many state governments have accepted the Societies Registration Act of 1860, with or without further amendment.

Purpose of Cooperative Society Registration

A society registration can develop free education, free treatment, literature, fine arts, science or literature, or the dissemination of objective knowledge of political knowledge. As per section 20 of the Societies Act of 1860, a society registration can be done for the following purposes:

• Promotion of Fine Arts
• Diffusion of Political Education
• Grant of Charitable Assistance
• Promotion of Science and Literature
• Creation of Military Orphan Funds
• Maintenance or Foundation of Galleries or Public Museum
• Maintenance or Foundation of Reading Rooms or Libraries
• Promotion or Diffusion or Instruction of helpful knowledge.

How to register a Society ?

Here, we provide information about the Society Registration Process; follow these easy steps to start a Society. Let’s see.

NOTE: To read the complete details, you can check the below in this article. Let’s have a look.

Steps for the Society Registration Process in India

There are some essential things to consider before building a society. How to register a society? What are the requirements for registration? Next, we will give you complete information about it.

A minimum of 7 or more persons is required to make the formation of a society minimal. For this, individuals, companies, foreigners, and other registered societies of India can also register for the society’s memorandum. Like partnership firms, societies can also be unregistered or registered. However, only the registered society will face the property unanimously or file an assembly against the society.

The state governments maintain society registration. Thus, applications for society registration should be made to the specific authority of the state where the registered office of the society is located.

For society registration, the established members must first agree with the society’s name and then prepare the society’s memorandum, rules, and laws. Let’s have a look.

Step 1 – Selection of a Name

While selecting a good name for society registration, it is essential to understand that according to the Societies Act, of 1860, the same or similar name of the currently registered society will not be allowed. Further, the proposed name shall not suggest any protection to the State Government or the Government of India or attract the Emblems and Names Act provisions, 1950.

Step 2 – Memorandum of Association

The memorandum should include the names, addresses, designations and occupation details of the members of the society. The memorandum, along with the rules and regulations of the society, must be signed by each established member, gazetted officer, notary public, chartered accountant, oath commissioner, advocate, magistrate, or a first-class or chartered accountant with their official stamp and complete address. The following documents have to be prepared, submitted and signed for registration:

• Requesting society registration by providing a letter signed by all established members.
• Keep a duplicate copy of the Society’s Memorandum of Association and the verified copy.
• A copy of the society’s rules and regulations and a duplicate copy duly signed by all established members.
• The address of the society’s registered office and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the landlord.
• The affidavit given by the secretary or the society’s president declares the relationship between the subscribers.
• A few minutes of meeting about the Society registration by providing some necessary documents.

Step 3 – Documents Required to Register a Society in India.

The following are the documents required for the Society Registration in India:

• PAN Card
• The Residence Proof
• Memorandum of Association
• Articles of Association
• A covering letter
• Address proof
• Governing Body
• A declaration

PAN Card:

The PAN card of all the members of the proposed society will have to be submitted along with the application.

Residence Proof:

Residence proof of all the members of the society will also have to be submitted. The following can be used as valid residence proof:

• Bank Statement
• Aadhaar Card
• Utility Bill
• Driving License
• Passport

Memorandum of Association

A memorandum of association is to be prepared with the following sections and information:

• The function and purpose of the society for which it is being established
• Details of the members who constitute the society
• It will have the address of the registered office of the society

Articles of Association

Articles of the association will also have to be prepared, which will contain the following information:

• Rules and laws by which the functioning of the society will be regulated and the activities of the day shall be maintained
• There will be rules for membership in society.
• Details about the meetings of the society and the frequency they occur are to be mentioned.
• Information about auditors
• Form of arbitration in case of any dispute between members of society
• Methods of the disintegration of society will also be mentioned

Once the rules are made, they can be changed, but the new rules will be signed by the society’s Secretary, Chairman, President and Vice president.

Covering Letter

A cover letter mentioning the objective or purpose for which the society is being formed will be attached at the beginning of the application. It will be signed by all the founding members of the NGO society.

Address proof

If any, a copy of the address proof where the society’s registered office will be located with the NOC from the landlord is to be attached.

Governing Body

All governing body members should be given a list with their signatures.

Declaration Form

An announcement is to be made by the president of the proposed society that he is willing and able to hold the said post.

Step 4 – Submission of Documents and Registration

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