Planning to set up a charitable organisation? We help you understand the difference between a Trust, Society and Section 8 Company, prepare the required paperwork and work through the registration steps.
An NGO is generally formed to pursue a charitable, social, educational or other eligible not-for-profit purpose. In Jaipur, the first decision is not which form to fill in. It is how the organisation should be governed, who will manage it and how it expects to raise and use funds.
For many founders, the choice is between a charitable Trust, a Society and a Section 8 Company. Each has different documentation, management and ongoing compliance requirements. Registration does not, by itself, guarantee tax exemptions, government grants or permission to receive foreign contributions.
There is no single registration certificate that suits every NGO. The right structure depends on the founding members, charitable objects and governance plan.
A charitable trust may suit an organisation where trustees are responsible for carrying out the objects written in the trust deed.
Public charitable trusts in Rajasthan require consideration of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959 and applicable deed and registration requirements.
Explore Trust registration →A Society is often appropriate for educational, cultural, community and charitable groups that want a governing body and rules for membership.
In Rajasthan, registration is governed by the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958. Generally, seven or more persons may form a society for eligible purposes.
Explore Society registration →A Section 8 Company is incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 for eligible not-for-profit objects. Its income and profits must be applied towards its objects, subject to applicable law.
It follows company governance and filing requirements. A private Section 8 company typically requires at least two directors and two members.
Explore company registration →| Consideration | Trust | Society | Section 8 Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical management | Trustees | Members and governing body | Directors and members |
| Main document | Trust deed | Memorandum and rules | MOA and AOA |
| Relevant law | Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959, where applicable | Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958 | Companies Act, 2013 |
| Founders | Depends on trust deed and applicable law | Generally at least 7 | Private company: generally at least 2 members and 2 directors |
| Ongoing responsibilities | Trust deed, applicable trust and tax obligations | Governing body, records, statutory filings | Company filings, accounts and applicable tax compliance |
The exact checklist varies by structure and by the authority reviewing the application. These are common starting documents; additional declarations or supporting papers may be requested.
Tip: Decide the objects carefully. An unclear or overly broad objects clause can create problems when applying for later tax approvals or institutional funding.
Although the filing authority changes by structure, the preparation usually follows these steps.
Explain the activities your NGO will carry out, who will manage it and whether it plans to seek donations or grants.
Compare a Trust, Society and Section 8 Company against the organisation's objectives and practical governance needs.
Collect identity and office records, draft the objects and prepare the deed, memorandum, rules or company documents.
File through the applicable Rajasthan registration process or the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal, depending on the structure.
Provide clarifications or corrected documents if the authority raises an objection during scrutiny.
After registration, address PAN, banking, accounting and any additional tax or regulatory applications required for the NGO's activities.
Infinity's existing website lists ₹16,000 for NGO registration assistance. Before work begins, ask for a written quotation that identifies the registration structure, professional services, government fees, stamp duty and any separately chargeable approvals.
Price currently displayed on Infinity's NGO registration page. Confirm which registration type and services this quotation covers.
Government fees, taxes, stamp duty and additional registrations must be confirmed in writing; they are not assumed to be included.
The Rajasthan government's published service timeline for society registration is 30 days. Trust and Section 8 applications follow different procedures, and additional queries may affect the completion date.
No consultant can guarantee approval or an exact completion date.
Registration is only the beginning. Further approvals depend on what the NGO plans to do and whether it meets the relevant eligibility criteria.
Tax-exemption registration and donor deduction approval are separate from forming the NGO. The applicable income-tax provisions, forms and eligibility must be checked at the time of application.
NGO registration alone does not permit receipt of foreign contributions regulated by FCRA. Registration or prior permission under FCRA may be necessary, subject to eligibility and applicable conditions.
Maintain proper books, bank records, donation records and meeting documentation. Annual filing and audit requirements depend on the entity and applicable tax and other laws.
NGO DARPAN registration, CSR-1 and other registrations may be relevant for particular funding routes. None should be described as an automatic entitlement to receive funds.
Infinity is based in Jaipur and works across registration, taxation and compliance-related services. Our approach is to discuss the intended activity and the documentation before selecting a filing route.
We start with what the NGO intends to do, rather than assuming that every applicant needs the same registration.
We help identify common documentation requirements and the relevant registration procedure.
We explain why tax approvals, funding registrations and ongoing records may need separate attention.
M.Com, MBA
15+ years of stated professional experience in registration, taxation, compliance and financial services.
NISM certified · AMFI ARN 182209 (mutual fund distribution)
Mr. Pankaj Khandelwal is a financial and business services professional at Infinity, with over 15 years of experience in registration, taxation, compliance and financial services.
With an educational background in M.Com and MBA, he has worked with individuals, entrepreneurs and organisations to help them understand documentation requirements, regulatory procedures and ongoing compliance responsibilities.
At Infinity, his areas of work include business registration, taxation and compliance-related services. For individuals and groups planning to establish an NGO in Jaipur, he focuses on helping them understand the differences between Trust, Society and Section 8 Company structures, along with their documentation and registration requirements.
He believes in explaining procedures in simple language so clients can make informed decisions, understand the applicable requirements and prepare for their responsibilities after registration.
First decide whether the organisation should be a Trust, Society or Section 8 Company. Prepare the relevant deed or constitutional documents, collect founder and office records and submit them to the appropriate authority. Requirements differ by structure.
There is no universally best option. A Trust may suit trustee-led activities, a Society may suit a membership-based group, and a Section 8 Company may suit founders who prefer company-style governance. Consider long-term compliance before choosing.
Generally, seven or more persons can form a society for purposes covered by the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958, subject to statutory requirements.
Costs depend on the structure, documentation, professional work, statutory charges and stamp duty. Infinity's existing page lists ₹16,000 as a service price; request a written structure-specific quotation before proceeding.
It depends on the entity and the reviewing authority. Rajasthan publishes a 30-day service timeline for society registration. Other registration routes and additional scrutiny may take different amounts of time.
No. Donor deduction approval is a separate process and is available only where the organisation satisfies the applicable legal requirements.
Not automatically. Foreign contributions covered by FCRA require applicable registration or prior permission, and the organisation must satisfy the relevant conditions.
Infinity provides registration and documentation-related assistance. Contact the team to confirm the exact scope, professional charges and whether specialised review is required for your proposed structure.
For current rules and official procedures, consult the relevant government authority. This page is general information and does not replace individual legal or tax advice.
Content prepared: 9 October 2026. Legal and tax information should be checked against current requirements before publishing or acting on it.
Speak with Infinity about the proposed charitable activity, founders, documents and the registration structure you are considering.
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