How to register an NGO in Gujarat
Gujarat, like Maharashtra, runs a dedicated public-trust regime under a Charity Commissioner - the result of the old Bombay Public Trusts Act now continuing as Gujarat's own law. Societies with charitable objects also register as public trusts.
The three legal forms in Gujarat
Public charitable trust
- Governing law: Gujarat Public Trusts Act, 1950 (the Bombay Public Trusts Act as it continues to apply in Gujarat)
- Authority: Office of the Charity Commissioner, Gujarat, with regional Assistant/Deputy Charity Commissioners
- How it is formed: Execute the trust deed before the Sub-Registrar, then apply to register as a public trust with the regional Charity Commissioner.
- Stamp duty: A fixed stamp duty on the trust deed under the Gujarat Stamp Act (nominal where no immovable property is settled). Confirm the current rate before execution.
- Note: As in Maharashtra, the Charity Commissioner supervises trusts on an ongoing basis - change reports, audited accounts, and permission to alienate trust property.
Society
- Governing law: Societies Registration Act, 1860 (as administered in Gujarat)
- Authority: Registrar of Societies for the district
- Renewal: Annual filing of the managing committee list; no fixed-term re-registration.
- Note: Gujarat quirk: a charitable society must also register as a public trust under the Gujarat Public Trusts Act - the same dual-registration pattern as Maharashtra.
Section 8 company
Registered centrally with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), so the process is identical across India - a licence under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 plus incorporation. It is not supervised by any state authority, which suits NGOs operating across multiple states or seeking institutional and CSR funding. For the form-by-form comparison, see our Section 8 vs Trust vs Society guide.
Step-by-step in Gujarat
Choose the form - public trust, society (also a public trust here), or Section 8 company.
Draft the trust deed / memorandum and rules with charitable objects and trustee details.
For a trust: execute the deed before the Sub-Registrar, then file for public-trust registration with the Charity Commissioner, Gujarat.
For a society: register under the 1860 Act with the Registrar of Societies, then register as a public trust with the Charity Commissioner.
Get PAN and TAN, open a bank account in the registered name.
File Form 10A for 12A and 80G, and register on NGO Darpan.
What is specific to Gujarat
- Charity Commissioner oversight gives Gujarat trusts strong credibility but ongoing compliance (accounts, change reports).
- Charitable societies double-register as public trusts.
- Dealing in trust immovable property needs Charity Commissioner permission.
After registration: make it tax-effective
Whichever form you choose in Gujarat, the next step is the same: file 12A for income-tax exemption and 80G for donor deductions (Form 10A), then register on NGO Darpan to unlock CSR and government funding.
Gujarat NGO registration FAQ
Which law governs charitable trusts in Gujarat?
The Gujarat Public Trusts Act, 1950 - the continuation of the old Bombay Public Trusts Act in Gujarat - administered by the Charity Commissioner, Gujarat.
Does a Gujarat society also need trust registration?
Yes. A society with charitable objects is also a public trust under the Gujarat Public Trusts Act and registers with the Charity Commissioner in addition to the Societies Registration Act registration.
Can I avoid the Charity Commissioner entirely?
Only by choosing a Section 8 company, which is registered centrally with the MCA and is not under the state Charity Commissioner. The trade-off is the MCA compliance regime instead.
Registered your Gujarat NGO? Run it on Donateazy.
Collect donations, auto-issue 80G receipts, file 10BD/FCRA and list in the verified directory - free to start.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Statutes, fees and procedures change - confirm current requirements with the relevant Gujarat authority or a qualified professional before registering.