- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Photograph
- Mobile number and email
- Address proof
Non-profit structure for social impact
Section 8 Company Registration - Non-Profit with Limited Liability
Register a Section 8 Company for charitable, educational, environmental or social impact work with MCA licence and incorporation support.
- Recognized non-profit company structure
- Limited liability for members
- Suitable for NGOs and social enterprises
- No dividend distribution to members
- MCA licence and SPICe+ filing support
Trusted across India
Powering compliance for growing brands
Why impact founders choose Section 8
Impact entities supported
0+
NGO, education, social welfare and charitable initiatives guided across India.
Standard turnaround
0-30 days
Typical timeline depends on name approval, licence review and MCA processing.
Licence focus
0%
Every file is reviewed for non-profit objects, declarations and Section 8 licence requirements.
What is a Section 8 Company?
A Section 8 Company is a non-profit company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 for charitable, educational, scientific, social welfare, environmental or similar public-benefit objects.
It is best suited for NGOs, foundations, social impact initiatives and institutions that need a credible company structure without distributing profits as dividends to members.
Registration involves name approval, Section 8 licence approval, MoA and AoA drafting, declarations, SPICe+ filing and issuance of the Certificate of Incorporation after MCA approval.
Benefits of a Section 8 Company
Section 8 gives non-profits a credible legal identity with company-style governance.
Non-profit credibility. Section 8 status signals that the company is formed for public-benefit objects rather than member profit.
Limited liability. Members generally receive liability protection similar to other company structures.
Separate identity. The company can own assets, receive grants, sign contracts and operate in its own name.
Structured governance. Board processes, MoA and AoA create accountability for donors, partners and regulators.
Grant readiness. Many donors and institutions prefer a recognized non-profit company structure.
Tax exemption pathway. After incorporation, the company can evaluate 12A, 80G and other registrations where eligible.
Compare options
Section 8 vs Private Limited vs Trust - which fits you?
Compare Section 8 with common alternatives before choosing your social impact structure.
| Factor | RecommendedSection 8 | Pvt Ltd | Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Non-profit objects | Commercial business | Charitable objects |
| Liability | Limited | Limited | Trustee-based |
| Profit distribution | Not allowed | Allowed | Not for trustees |
| Governance | Company law | Company law | Trust deed |
| Compliance | Higher | Higher | Varies by state |
| Best for | NGOs and impact entities | Startups and businesses | Charitable property holding |
| Timeline | 15-30 days | 7-10 days | Varies |
| Funding route | Grants and donations | Equity and debt | Donations and grants |
← Scroll →
Not sure which structure fits your business? Our experts can recommend the right entity based on your goals, funding plans, and compliance preferences.
Talk to an expertEligibility for Section 8 Company Registration
These conditions are checked before preparing a Section 8 licence and incorporation file.
Non-profit object. The company must be formed for charitable, educational, social welfare, environmental or similar objects.
No dividend intent. Profits must be applied toward objects and cannot be distributed as dividends to members.
Minimum members. A Section 8 private company normally needs at least two members and two directors.
Resident director. At least one director should satisfy the resident-in-India requirement.
Clear object clause. The MoA must clearly describe the proposed public-benefit activities.
Registered office. A valid Indian office address with proof and NOC is required for MCA records.
Document checklist
Documents required for Section 8 Company registration
Section 8 filings need director KYC, office proof and strong non-profit object documentation.
- Latest utility bill
- Rent agreement or ownership proof
- Owner NOC
- Property tax receipt where applicable
- Proposed names
- Non-profit object details
- MoA and AoA inputs
- Income and expenditure projection
- Director declarations
Document requirements can vary by entity type and state. Our team shares a final checklist after reviewing your case.
Registration process
How Section 8 Company registration works
A licence-led MCA process for non-profit incorporation.
- 1
Object review
Step 1We review the proposed non-profit activities and eligibility for Section 8 registration.
- Object clarity
- Activity fit
- 2
Document collection
Step 2Director, member and office documents are collected and checked.
- KYC check
- Office proof
- 3
Apply for DSC
Step 3Digital signatures are arranged for proposed directors.
- Class 3 DSC
- E-KYC support
- 4
Name approval
Step 4Name options are checked and filed with MCA for reservation.
- Name check
- Object alignment
- 5
Draft MoA and AoA
Step 5Non-profit objects and governance clauses are drafted carefully.
- Object clause
- No dividend clauses
- 6
Prepare licence file
Step 6Section 8 licence forms, declarations and projections are prepared.
- Licence documents
- Declarations
- 7
File SPICe+
Step 7Incorporation forms and linked applications are submitted to MCA.
- SPICe+ filing
- PAN and TAN
- 8
COI issued
Step 8MCA issues the licence and Certificate of Incorporation after approval.
- Licence approval
- Next-step checklist
Simple pricing
Section 8 Company registration pricing
Standard Section 8 Company registration pricing with government fees included.
Section 8 Company Registration
For Section 8 licence and incorporation filing support.
Rs.9,999 govt fees included
- Name approval assistance
- DSC coordination
- Section 8 licence filing
- MoA/AoA object drafting
- Declarations and projections
- 12A and 80G guidance
Loved by founders
Rated 4.9 by impact founders
Reviews from teams that chose ComplyLocal for non-profit registration.
Customer Feedback
4.9· 200+ reviews
- DG
Devika Sethi
Delhi
“Our education initiative needed a Section 8 structure. The object drafting and licence guidance were very clear.”
Section 8 Company - RG
Raghav Menon
Bengaluru
“ComplyLocal helped us understand Section 8 compliance and prepared the MCA file carefully.”
NGO Registration - SG
Sana Khan
Mumbai
“The team handled declarations, projections and incorporation documents without confusion.”
Section 8 Filing - AG
Amit Joshi
Pune
“Good support for a social impact company, especially around no-dividend clauses and post-registration steps.”
Non-Profit Setup
The ComplyLocal difference
Built for credible non-profit setup
We help impact teams prepare clear objects, compliant documents and practical post-registration next steps.
Accuracy first
Every MCA form and attachment is reviewed before filing to reduce resubmission risk.
Fast turnaround
Standard registrations move from document readiness to approval in 7-10 working days.
CA & CS-led
Qualified professionals guide structure selection, documentation, filing and first-step compliance.
Transparent pricing
Professional fees and government charges are shown separately before submission.
Dedicated support
A single coordinator keeps founders updated through documentation, filing and approval.
Pan-India filing
Business registration support is available across Indian states.
Digital workflow
DSC, document checks and MCA tracking are handled through a streamlined online process.
Post-registration clarity
You receive a checklist for bank account, GST, accounting and recurring compliance.
FAQ
Section 8 Company registration FAQs
Answers to common questions before registering a Section 8 Company.
Fast answersExpert support
- A Section 8 Company can carry out charitable, educational, scientific, social welfare, environmental, art, sports, research or similar public-benefit activities approved in its objects.
- A Section 8 Company cannot distribute profits as dividends to members because income must be applied toward its non-profit objects.
- A Section 8 private company normally needs at least 2 directors and 2 members, with at least one director meeting the resident-in-India requirement.
- A Section 8 licence is mandatory before incorporation because MCA must approve the non-profit nature and objects of the company.
- A Section 8 Company can receive donations and grants, subject to accounting, tax, FCRA and other laws that may apply to the source and nature of funds.
- Section 8 registration does not automatically grant 80G or 12A benefits; those tax registrations must be evaluated and applied for separately after incorporation.
- Section 8 Company registration usually takes 15-30 working days because it includes name approval, licence review and incorporation approval by MCA.
- A Section 8 Company can pay reasonable salaries and operational expenses for genuine work, but profits cannot be distributed to members as dividends.
- A home address can be used as the registered office of a Section 8 Company if valid proof, utility bill and owner NOC are available.
- A Section 8 Company must maintain accounts, conduct board and member meetings, file ROC annual returns, file income tax returns and comply with donor or tax registrations where applicable.
Explore more
Related services for non-profits
Compare Section 8 with other structures or plan post-registration compliance.
Other Entity Types
Post-Registration
Compliance Support
Register your Section 8 Company today
Talk to a ComplyLocal expert and get a clear non-profit incorporation plan before filing.
Licence-led filing, CA-led support and transparent pricing.