How to register an NGO in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh forms charitable trusts by registered deed and runs societies under the 1860 Act with a notable state amendment - UP societies must renew their registration every five years, a deadline that catches many NGOs out.
The three legal forms in Uttar Pradesh
Public charitable trust
- Governing law: No general state public-trust statute; a public charitable trust is created by a registered trust deed
- Authority: Sub-Registrar (Stamp and Registration Department, UP) - no Charity Commissioner for charitable trusts
- How it is formed: Execute and register the trust deed before the jurisdictional Sub-Registrar.
- Stamp duty: Stamp duty and registration fee on the trust deed under the UP stamp law (indicative fixed amount where no property is settled). Confirm the current rate.
- Note: No separate state supervisory filing for the trust; ongoing compliance is income-tax driven.
Society
- Governing law: Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Uttar Pradesh amendment)
- Authority: Registrar of Societies / Chief Registrar, Firms, Societies and Chits, Uttar Pradesh
- Renewal: Five-year renewal: UP requires societies to renew their registration every five years - miss it and the registration can lapse.
- Note: UP quirk: unlike the unamended 1860 Act, the UP amendment mandates renewal of the society's registration every five years, plus the annual list of the managing body.
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 Uttar Pradesh
Choose the form - registered trust, society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (UP amendment), or a Section 8 company.
Draft the trust deed / memorandum and rules with charitable objects and member details.
For a trust: execute and register the deed before the jurisdictional Sub-Registrar.
For a society: register with the Registrar of Societies, UP - and diarise the five-year renewal from day one.
Obtain 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 Uttar Pradesh
- UP societies must renew registration every five years - a deadline that lapses many NGOs unknowingly.
- No Charity Commissioner - a registered trust deed forms the trust.
- Societies are administered by the Chief Registrar, Firms, Societies and Chits, UP.
After registration: make it tax-effective
Whichever form you choose in Uttar Pradesh, 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.
Uttar Pradesh NGO registration FAQ
Do UP societies need to renew registration?
Yes. Under the UP amendment to the Societies Registration Act, 1860, a society must renew its registration every five years. Missing the renewal can cause the registration to lapse, so it should be diarised from the start.
Is there a Charity Commissioner in Uttar Pradesh?
No. UP has no Charity Commissioner for charitable trusts. A public charitable trust is formed by registering its deed before the Sub-Registrar.
Who administers societies in UP?
The Registrar of Societies under the Chief Registrar, Firms, Societies and Chits, Uttar Pradesh.
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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 Uttar Pradesh authority or a qualified professional before registering.