Society Registration

A society is an association of several individuals combined using a mutual accord to deliberate, govern and act cooperatively for some communal purpose. Societies are usually registered for the advancement of charitable activities like sports, music, culture, religion, art, education, etc.

Society Registration, under The Society Registration Act in India, lays down certain procedures for the sake of society registration & operation. This act was implemented with the purpose of augmenting the legal stipulations of society registration for the advancement of literature, fine arts, science or distribution of awareness for bountiful purposes. The society registration act, 1860 has been accepted by several state governments without or with further amendments.

Purpose of Society Registration

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.
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 useful knowledge.
Collections of natural history.
Collections of mechanical and philosophical inventions, designs, or instruments.

Documents/Details Required for Society Registration

PAN Card of all the members of the proposed society has to be submitted along with the application.

Residence Proof of all the members of the society also has to be submitted. The following can be used as valid residence proof: Bank Statement/ Aadhaar Card/ Utility Bill/ Driving License/ Passport.

Memorandum of Association: The memorandum of association has to be prepared which will contain the following clauses and information:

The work and the objectives of the society for which it is being established.
The details of the members forming the society.
It will contain the address of the registered office of the society.

Rules & Regulations of the Society: The rules and regulations of the society also have to be prepared which will contain the following information:

Rules and regulations by which the working of the society will be governed and the maintenance of day to day activities.
It will contain the rules for taking the membership of the society.
The details about the meetings of the society and the frequency with which they are going to be held is to be mentioned.
Information about the Auditors.
Forms of Arbitration in case of any dispute between the members of the society.
Ways for the dissolution of the society will also be mentioned

Once the rules have been formed, they can be changed but the new set of rules will be signed by the President, Chairman, Vice President and the Secretary of the Society.

Covering letter: A covering letter mentioning the objective or the purpose for which the society is being formed will be annexed to the beginning of the application. It will be signed by all the founding members of the society.

Proof of Address: A copy of the proof of address where the registered office of the society will be located along with a NOC from the landlord if any has to be attached.

List of all the members: A list of all the members of the governing body has to be given along with their signatures.
Declaration: A declaration has to be given by the president of the proposed society that he is willing and competent to hold the said post.

Documents/Details Required for GST Registration of a Society after registration

PAN card of the Society.
PAN card and photo of members.
Certificate of Registration.
Details of bank.
In case of leased property, the copy of lease deed for the registered office premises along with a NOC from Landlord and electricity bill/property tax receipt/water bill copy of the registered office property.
In case of own property, copy of sale deed along with the electricity bill/property tax receipt/water bill copy of the registered office property.
Appointment Proof of authorised signatory.