SOCIETY REGISTRATION PROCESS
Societies Act, 1860
A society is an association of persons united together by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act jointly for some common purpose. Societies are usually registered for promotion of charitable activities like education, art, religion, culture, music, sports, etc., In India, The Societies Registration Act, 1860 lays down the procedure for society registration and operation in India. In this article, we look at the process for society registration in India:
The Societies Registration Act, 1860 was introduced with the aim of improving the legal conditions of societies registration for promotion of literature, science or fine arts or for diffusion of useful knowledge for charitable purposes. The Societies Registration Act, 1860 has been adopted by most of the State Governments with/without further amendments.
Purpose of Registration of Society
A society registration can be done for the development of fine arts, science, or literature or else for the diffusion of purposeful knowledge or charitable purposes of political education. According to section 20 of the Society Act, 1860, a society registration can be done for the following purposes:
- Promotion of fine arts.
- Grant of charitable assistance.
- Promotion of Science.
- Promotion of Literature.
- Promotion or Instruction or Diffusion of useful Knowledge.
- Diffusion of political education.
- Creation of military orphan funds.
- Maintenance or foundation of reading rooms or libraries
- Maintenance or foundation of galleries or public museum.
Society Registration in India
A Society needs a minimum of seven managing Committee members; there is no upper limit to the members. The Board of Management is in the form of a governing body or council or a managing or executive committee.
Society registration is managed by State Governments. Registration can be managed either at the state level i.e in the office of the Registrar of Societies or district level in the office of the District Magistrate or local office of the Registrar of Societies. The procedure of registration varies from state to state.
While choosing a name for the society, it is important to remember that as per Societies Act, 1860, similar or identical name of an existing registered society is not permitted. Further the proposed name for the society must also not suggest patronage of the Government of India or any State Government or attract the provisions of Emblem and Names Act, 1950.
Application of Registration should have following documents:
- Memorandum of association of the society signed by each member of the society, witnessed by an Oath Commissioner, Notary Public, Gazetted Officer, Advocate, Chartered Accountant or Magistrate 1st Class with their official stamp and complete address.
- Rules and Regulations of the Society in duplicate along with a duplicate, duly signed by the founding members.
- Consent letter of all the members for registration of society
- An affidavit sworn by the President or Secretary of the Society stating relationship between the subscribers on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs 20-/, together with court fee stamp;
- A declaration by the members of the managing committee that the funds of the society will be used only for the purpose of furthering the aims and objects of the society.
