License Registration
Get the Section 8 licence from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to run your NGO as a not-for-profit company with limited liability and full statutory recognition.
- Timeline15–30 working days for the Section 8 licence and incorporation.
- Starting at₹4,999 + GST & Govt. fees applicable
- Documents7 items — shared securely online
About License Registration
An NGO License Registration is the process of obtaining a licence under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 so that a company can be incorporated for charitable or non-commercial objects. The licence is granted by the Central Government (Registrar / Regional Director, MCA) and the entity that results is commonly called a Section 8 company.
Unlike a trust or a society, a Section 8 company is governed by the MCA and enjoys perpetual succession, a separate legal identity and limited liability of its members. It is the preferred structure for NGOs that plan to raise institutional funding, CSR grants or foreign contributions.
What is License Registration?
A Section 8 licence permits a company to be incorporated for promoting commerce, art, science, sport, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of the environment or similar objects, with profits applied solely to those objects and no dividend paid to members.
100% online, no office visit- Category
- NGO Services
- Authority / portal
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA21 portal), Regional Director / Registrar of Companies
- Timeline
- 15–30 working days for the Section 8 licence and incorporation.
- Starting price
- ₹4,999
- Mode
- 100% online — no office visit needed
Who needs License Registration?
Situations where this registration or service is required or strongly recommended.
Social entrepreneurs & founders
Individuals starting a non-profit who want a professionally regulated structure with limited liability.
Organisations seeking CSR funding
Companies prefer to fund NGOs with a Section 8 / 12A / 80G / CSR-1 profile.
Foundations & industry bodies
Chambers, associations and foundations promoting trade, science, sports or education.
NGOs planning FCRA
A well-documented Section 8 company finds it easier to obtain FCRA registration later.
Eligibility
Basic conditions to qualify for License Registration.
Two or more persons
At least two directors and two members for a private company; at least three directors and seven members for a public company.
Non-profit objects only
Objects must be within Section 8 areas, and profits must be applied only to promote those objects.
Unique, compliant name
The name must be available and end with 'Foundation', 'Trust', 'Association' etc. as appropriate; it cannot be identical or deceptively similar to an existing name or trademark.
Registered office in India
A valid Indian address with proof of ownership or rent and NOC.
Benefits of License Registration
What you gain once it is done right.
Limited liability
Members and directors are not personally liable for the company's debts beyond their guarantee or contribution.
Perpetual succession
The NGO continues irrespective of changes in directors or members.
Credibility with donors & CSR
MCA-regulated governance and annual filings inspire donor and government confidence.
Eligibility for 12A, 80G, FCRA & CSR-1
Once registered you can apply for tax exemption, donor deductions and foreign funding.
Exemption from certain Companies Act provisions
Section 8 companies enjoy relaxations from minimum-capital and 'Limited/Private Limited' suffix requirements.
Grants & government schemes
Eligible to receive government grants and empanelment on NITI Aayog DARPAN.
Types of License Registration
Choose the category that matches your activity.
Private Section 8 company
Minimum two directors and two members; simplest structure for founder-led NGOs.
Public Section 8 company
Minimum three directors and seven members; suited for broad-based associations.
One Person Section 8 company
Allowed in certain cases; a single member with a nominee, for small charitable ventures.
Documents required
Keep these ready. We share an exact checklist for your specific case and collect everything through a secure online link.
PAN & Aadhaar of directors / subscribers
Identity proof for every director and subscriber; PAN is mandatory.
Passport-size photographs
Recent photograph of each director and subscriber.
Address proof
Voter ID, driving licence or passport plus latest bank statement or utility bill of directors.
Registered office proof
Electricity bill or property tax receipt (not older than 2 months) with rent agreement and owner NOC if rented.
Objects & proposed names
Charitable objects, 2 proposed names, and details of proposed activities.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Class 3 DSC of all directors / subscribers for e-filing.
Declarations & affidavits
Declaration by professionals and subscribers, plus estimated income and expenditure for three years.
Step-by-step process
How NewStarts takes License Registration from first call to final delivery.
- 01
Free consultation & name planning
We understand your mission, decide the structure and shortlist names that will clear MCA.
- 02
Obtain DSC & DIN
Digital Signature Certificates are obtained and Director Identification Numbers are applied for through SPICe+.
- 03
Name reservation
A unique name is reserved on the MCA portal (SPICe+ Part A); Section 8 rules on the name are checked.
- 04
Prepare MoA & AoA
We draft the Memorandum and Articles of Association with charitable objects and no-dividend clauses.
- 05
File SPICe+ with INC-12
The incorporation forms together with the Section 8 licence application (INC-12) and declarations (INC-14, INC-15) are filed.
- 06
Licence grant & incorporation
Once the Regional Director grants the licence (INC-16), the Certificate of Incorporation with CIN is issued.
- 07
PAN, TAN & bank account
PAN and TAN are issued along with incorporation; we support opening the NGO's bank account.
NewStarts License Registration service
What is included when you engage NewStarts.
Free eligibility check
A specialist reviews your facts and confirms the right route and package for License Registration before you pay anything.
Document checklist & review
You receive an exact checklist and upload through a secure link. We verify every document to avoid rejections.
Drafting & filing
We prepare every form, declaration and annexure for License Registration and file on the correct government portal.
Query & objection handling
Any departmental query or clarification is answered by our team, with corrected filings where needed.
Delivery & hand-over
Certificates and approvals are shared digitally, with a plain-language note on your next compliance steps.
Post-service support
Reminders, renewals and related filings can be handled by the same NewStarts relationship manager.
Transparent pricing
No hidden charges. Choose the package that fits — upgrade anytime.
Basic
₹4,999
+ GST & Govt. fees applicable
Section 8 licence and incorporation filing
- DSC & DIN support
- Name reservation
- MoA & AoA drafting
- SPICe+ & INC-12 filing
Premium
₹14,999
+ GST & Govt. fees applicable
Licence, incorporation and first-year support
- Everything in Basic
- PAN, TAN & bank account guidance
- Dedicated relationship manager
- 12A / 80G eligibility review
- 1 year post-service support
License Registration FAQs
Have questions? We have answers.
Can’t find your answer? Ask the assistant, or speak to our team.
It is a licence from the Central Government that permits a company to be formed for charitable objects, with profits applied to those objects and no dividend to members.
The Regional Director (MCA), on the recommendation of the Registrar of Companies, after reviewing the SPICe+ and INC-12 filings.
Typically 15–30 working days, depending on MCA queries and how quickly documents and DSCs are ready.
It may earn surplus, but every rupee must be applied to its objects; no dividend can be paid to members.
It offers limited liability and regulated governance but has higher annual compliance. Trusts and societies are simpler and cheaper to run.
No. These are separate applications made after incorporation; NewStarts can handle them.
Yes. Document collection, e-signing and filing are completed online, so you do not need to visit any office. Where a physical step is unavoidable, we tell you upfront.
NewStarts professional fees, GST and government fees are shown separately. Government fees are paid at actuals and confirmed with you before filing.
You may also need
Services our clients often take alongside License Registration.
Section 8 Company
A Section 8 Company structure unlocks tax benefits and donor credibility for organisations working toward a social…
NGO12A & 80G
Secure 12A income tax exemption and 80G donor-deduction approval so your NGO pays no tax on its surplus and donors…
NGODARPAN Registration
Register your NGO on NITI Aayog's DARPAN portal and receive a Unique ID needed for government grants and many fundi…
ROC ComplianceSection 8 Compliance
Section 8 Companies must maintain strict compliance to retain their non-profit status and continue receiving tax-ex…
Ready to start your License Registration?
Book a free consultation and get an exact document checklist and quote for your case.
