Registration of Charitable Society
Charitable Societies in Kerala are registered under Societies Registration Act, 1980 or Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955. In Travancore Region, Societies are registered under Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955 and in Malabar Region, societies are registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860. This article is primarily based on Travancore Region. The procedural formalities are almost same.
What are the purposes for which a society can be formed
Societies can be formed for any literary, scientific or charitable purpose or for any of the following purposes
- Charitable societies,
- the military orphan funds or societies established at the several presidencies of India,
- societies established for the promotion of science, literature, or the fine arts for instruction, the diffusion of useful knowledge, the diffusion of political education,
- the foundation or maintenance of libraries or reading-rooms for general use among the members or open to the public or public museums and galleries of paintings and other works of art, collections of natural history, mechanical and philosophical inventions, instruments, or designs.
How many persons are required to form a society
At least 7 Persons are required to form a society
What are the documents required to form a society
- A letter addressed to the registrar mentioning the intent of forming a society
- A declaration to the effect that proposed name of the society do not resembles with any other existing society
- Memorandum of Association
- Copy of Bye Laws of the society certified by at least three members of the governing body
What are the contents of Memorandum of Association
Memorandum of association shall set forth following information
- Name of the Society
- Address/location of the society
- Area of Operation
- Aims and Objectives (charitable activities)
- Details of members (names, addresses and occupations of the members of the governing body), by the rules of the society the management of its affairs is entrusted.
- Witness to the subscribers
What are the contents of Bye Laws
Bye Laws shall contain rules are regulation by which the activities of the society should be conducted. However, it should provide for following regulations
Details relating to the
- Membership – Type/Admission/Cessation
- Subscription
- Quorum
- Election of members to the governing body
- Annual General Meeting & other meetings
- Extra Ordinary/Special general meeting
- Accounts and Audit
- Committees and powers
- Powers and duties of governing body members
- Alteration of Memorandum/Bye laws
- Dissolution of the society (at least three fourth of the members shall assent to the dissolution of the society in its general meeting)
- Any other details for regulation of the society
What is the value of stamp paper in which memorandum has to be prepared
Memorandum of Association should be prepared in a stamp paper having value of Rs.500/-
What is the procedure to register a charitable society
Application for registration of society should be made online
- Go to www.egroops.kerala.gov.in
- Click on new society registration
- Enter the details of the applicant and upload photo and ID proof
- Login to user account with username and password
- Fill the application for registration
- Enter the society details
- Enter member’s details (Name, Address, their designation in society)
- Upload the documents
- Enter the payment details (offline or online)
- Username and password of society will be send to the registered mail and mobile number
- Check for registration certificate/remarks for non-registration
- Resubmit the application after rectifying the mistakes, if any
How long will it take to get the registration certificate
- Registration certificate will be issued after 1 week of accepting application by the registrar
If you need any further assistance in registration of your charitable society, you can contact the author
