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Register Your Section 8 Company Online

Give your NGO, foundation or social-impact organisation a formal corporate structure under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 — with clear objects, proper documentation and end-to-end MCA support.

Ideal for organisations working in education, healthcare, social welfare, research, sports, environment, charity and similar permitted non-profit objectives.

MCA Licensed

Custom MOA & AOA

SPICe+ Filing

Non-Profit Structure

PAN & Bank Setup

Expert Assistance

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Tell us about your organisation and our expert will guide you on the incorporation process.

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Overview

What Is a Section 8 Company?

A Section 8 Company is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 for promoting specified charitable or socially beneficial objectives. Its permitted objects can include education, social welfare, healthcare, research, science, sports, art and culture, environmental protection, charity, skill development, community development and other similar objects permitted under Section 8.

Governed by the Companies Act, 2013

Incorporated through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) with a Section 8 licence generated along with the Certificate of Incorporation under the SPICe+ process.

Income applied towards objects

The organisation must intend to apply its profits or other income towards its approved objects and is prohibited from paying dividend to its members.

Best suited for structured non-profits

Long-term social or charitable initiatives involving donors, grants, institutions, volunteers or employees — where a formal corporate structure is preferred over an informal organisation.

People collaborating for social impact and community work

Non-Profit by DesignObjects-focused, no dividend to members

Why Register a Section 8 Company?

Formal legal identity. Structured governance. Built for long-term impact.

Separate Legal Identity

The organisation operates as a company separate from its members under the Companies Act.

Limited Liability Structure

Where incorporated as limited by shares or guarantee, liability follows the applicable constitutional structure.

Non-Profit Framework

Income and profits are applied towards approved objectives — not distributed as dividends to members.

Section 8

Impact-focused.
Formally structured.

Formal Governance

Directors, members, records, meetings and statutory filings provide a structured operating framework.

Funding Opportunities

Subject to eligibility, the organisation may pursue donations, grants, CSR-related funding and other lawful sources.

Long-Term Structure

Suitable for organisations intended to continue beyond the involvement of any single founder.

Permitted Objects

What Can a Section 8 Company Work On?

Activities must be consistent with the company's approved objects and applicable laws. Typical focus areas include:

Education & Skill Development Healthcare & Social Welfare Research & Science Environmental Protection Sports, Art & Culture Charity & Community Development Vocational Training Digital Literacy Scholarships & Support Health Awareness Programmes Conservation & Sustainability Knowledge & Innovation

Objects in SPICe+ should not be vague and must correspond with the objects in the MOA. Do not simply copy a large list of unrelated NGO objectives.

Benefits

Benefits of Section 8 Company Registration

What a properly structured Section 8 company can offer your organisation.

Separate Legal Identity

The organisation operates as a company distinct from its members under the Companies Act.

Limited Liability

Liability is governed by the applicable constitutional structure (shares or guarantee) and law.

Non-Profit Framework

Income and surplus are applied towards approved objects — not distributed as dividends.

Formal Governance

Directors, members, statutory records, meetings and filings provide a clear operating framework.

Credibility with Stakeholders

MCA incorporation can support dealings with institutions, donors, partners and grant agencies.

Pathway to Further Registrations

Subject to eligibility, organisations may separately pursue 12AB, 80G, CSR-related and FCRA processes.

Clear Objects & Documentation

A carefully drafted MOA and AOA establish purpose, governance and internal rules from day one.

Continuity Beyond Founders

Suitable for organisations designed to outlast the involvement of any single individual founder.

Important: Section 8 incorporation by itself does not automatically provide 12AB, 80G, FCRA or CSR eligibility. Those are separate matters with their own conditions and registrations.

The Registration Process

How Section 8 Company Registration Works

From understanding your purpose to incorporation and post-registration setup, with expert support at every stage.

Purpose & Objects Planning

We understand your activities, beneficiaries, funding model, founders and directors so objects can be drafted clearly and accurately.

Name, DSC & Documents

Name check, digital signatures, KYC of subscribers/directors and collection of registered-office and identity documents.

MOA, AOA & SPICe+ Filing

Drafting of constitutional documents and preparation of SPICe+, AGILE-PRO-S and supporting filings for MCA submission.

Incorporation & Licence

On approval, you receive the Certificate of Incorporation with Section 8 licence, followed by bank setup and post-registration guidance.

Documents Required

What You'll Need

PAN of Directors / Subscribers

Aadhaar / Identity Proof

Passport-size Photographs

Address Proof of Directors

Registered Office Address Proof

NOC / Rent Agreement (if applicable)

Note: Exact documentation depends on the individuals involved and current MCA filing requirements. The address used in the MCA filing and the supporting proof should match properly. Utility bill, ownership proof or authorisation letter may also be required depending on the registered-office arrangement.

Compare Structures

Section 8 Company vs Trust vs Society

Not sure which structure suits your organisation? Here's a practical side-by-side.

Feature	Section 8 Company	Trust	Society
Main legal framework	Companies Act, 2013	Trust law / applicable state law	Societies Registration Act / state law
Registration authority	MCA / Registrar of Companies	Relevant authority under applicable law	Registrar of Societies
Governance	Directors + members	Trustees	Governing body / members
Corporate structure	Yes	No	No
Formal MCA compliance	Yes	No	No
Separate legal identity	Yes, as a company	Depends on law/instrument	Depends on applicable law
Best suited for	Structured, scalable non-profits	Many charitable / family arrangements	Membership / community organisations
Compliance level	Generally higher	Generally lower	Generally lower
National operations	Can operate subject to laws	Depends on structure	State-specific rules can matter
Profit distribution	Not permitted as dividend	Charitable application required	Depends on governing framework

Not Sure Which Structure Is Right For You?

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After Incorporation

Important Points After Section 8 Registration

Section 8 registration is not the same as tax exemption or foreign-contribution permission. Treat these as separate processes:

12AB Registration (separate) 80G Approval (separate) CSR-related Eligibility (separate) FCRA (if foreign funds) GST (where applicable) Annual MCA Filings Books & Records Board / Member Meetings

Section 8 companies enjoy the privileges of companies but remain subject to the obligations applicable to companies under the Companies Act. Maintain proper records of donations, grants, expenses and programme expenditure from day one.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to what clients ask us most before registering a Section 8 company.

Section 8 is a legal company structure commonly used for non-profit / NGO-type organisations. “NGO” is a broader description and can refer to organisations using different legal structures such as Trust, Society or Section 8 Company.

Yes. It can receive lawful income (donations, grants, programme fees, institutional funding, etc.), but profits or other income must be applied towards its approved objects rather than distributed as dividends to members.

No. Section 8 specifically prohibits payment of dividend to members. Income is intended to be applied towards promoting the company’s objects.

No. 12AB and 80G are separate tax registrations/approvals with their own eligibility conditions and processes. Section 8 incorporation does not automatically confer them.

CSR-related eligibility and FCRA requirements are separate. Section 8 status alone does not guarantee CSR funding or permission to receive foreign contribution. Each has its own conditions and registrations.

Yes. It remains a company under the Companies Act and has applicable statutory compliance obligations, including annual filings, financial statements, meetings and registers, in addition to any tax or other sector-specific requirements.

Changes to the MOA/AOA of a Section 8 company are subject to specific legal requirements and approvals. Section 8 places additional restrictions on alteration of its constitutional documents.

It should not be structured as a normal profit-distribution vehicle. Its legal purpose and income application must comply with Section 8. Misuse can attract action including possible revocation of the licence.

Ready to Register Your Section 8 Company?

Turn your social objective into a properly structured legal organisation under the Companies Act.

Understand Objective → Draft Objects → Prepare Documents → MCA Filing → Section 8 Licence → Incorporation → Post-Registration Compliance

Start Section 8 Registration