How to register an NGO in Karnataka
Karnataka has no general public-trust statute and no Charity Commissioner for charitable trusts - a public charitable trust is created simply by a registered trust deed. That makes the trust route here lighter to set up than in Maharashtra or Gujarat.
The three legal forms in Karnataka
Public charitable trust
- Governing law: No state Public Trusts Act; public charitable trusts are governed by general trust-law principles (the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 informs private trusts) and created by a registered trust deed
- Authority: Sub-Registrar (Department of Stamps and Registration) - there is no Charity Commissioner for charitable trusts in Karnataka
- How it is formed: Execute and register the trust deed before the jurisdictional Sub-Registrar. Registration of the deed is what brings the trust into existence.
- Stamp duty: Stamp duty and registration fee on the trust deed under the Karnataka Stamp Act (an indicative fixed amount where no property is settled). Confirm the current rate at the Sub-Registrar office.
- Note: Because there is no Charity Commissioner, there is no separate state supervisory filing for the trust - ongoing compliance is driven mainly by income-tax law (12A/80G, ITR-7, Section 11).
Society
- Governing law: Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960
- Authority: Registrar of Societies / District Registrar
- Renewal: File the annual list of the governing body; the 1960 Act has its own filing requirements.
- Note: Karnataka has its own Societies Registration Act (1960), distinct from the central 1860 Act used by several other states.
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 Karnataka
Choose the form - registered trust (lightest here), society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, or a Section 8 company.
Draft the trust deed / memorandum with charitable objects, trustees or governing-body members, and registered address.
For a trust: execute the deed on stamp paper and register it before the jurisdictional Sub-Registrar - that completes formation.
For a society: register under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960 with the Registrar of Societies.
Obtain PAN and TAN, open a bank account in the registered name.
File Form 10A for 12A and 80G, and register on NGO Darpan for CSR/government access.
What is specific to Karnataka
- No Charity Commissioner - a registered trust deed alone creates a public charitable trust, so the trust route is quick to set up.
- Societies use the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, not the central 1860 Act.
- With less state oversight, your income-tax registrations (12A/80G) and clean books carry more of the credibility weight with funders.
After registration: make it tax-effective
Whichever form you choose in Karnataka, 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.
Karnataka NGO registration FAQ
Is there a Charity Commissioner in Karnataka?
No. Karnataka has no Charity Commissioner for charitable trusts and no general public-trust statute. A public charitable trust is created by registering its trust deed before the Sub-Registrar.
Which Act do societies register under in Karnataka?
The Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960 - the state's own statute, administered by the Registrar of Societies / District Registrar.
Is the trust route really simpler in Karnataka?
Setup is lighter because there is no separate Charity Commissioner registration - a registered trust deed suffices. You still need 12A, 80G and ITR-7 compliance under income-tax law like every other NGO.
Registered your Karnataka 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 Karnataka authority or a qualified professional before registering.