Section 8 Company Registration Online in India

A Section 8 company is a type of non-profit organization registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, governed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). It is incorporated with the objective of promoting commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, or environmental protection. Unlike other companies, a Section 8 company does not distribute profits to its members — all income is applied towards promoting its stated objectives.

Registering a Section 8 company in India offers significant legal, financial, and reputational advantages for non-profit initiatives. Here are the top reasons why you should consider this structure for your nonprofit company registration:

Before initiating the Section 8 company registration process, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria and mandatory requirements for Section 8 company registration.

Having the correct documents ready ensures a smooth Section 8 company incorporation process. Below is the complete document checklist:

The Section 8 company registration process step by step is entirely online through the MCA portal. Here are the detailed steps for registration of a Section 8 company:

Here is a simplified overview of how to register a Section 8 company in India in 5 easy steps: Step 1: Obtain DSC and DIN for all proposed directors from the MCA portal. Step 2: Complete MCA Name Approval through the RUN service on MCA – ensure the name reflects the non-profit purpose. Step 3: Complete MOA & AOA Drafting and apply for Section 8 License via Form INC-12 with required declarations and income-expenditure projections. Step 4: Complete Company Incorporation by filing SPICe+ Form on MCA portal after receiving the Section 8 License (Form INC-16). Step 5: Receive Certificate of Incorporation with CIN and complete PAN & TAN Registration – your Section 8 company is now legally registered!

The time required for Section 8 company registration depends on document readiness and MCA processing timelines: Stage Estimated Time DSC Procurement 1–2 Working Days DIN Application 1–2 Working Days MCA Name Approval (RUN) 2–3 Working Days MOA & AOA Drafting + Section 8 License (Form INC-12) 7–10 Working Days Company Incorporation via SPICe+ Filing 3–5 Working Days PAN & TAN Registration 1–2 Working Days Total Estimated Time 15–25 Working Days

The Section 8 company registration fees in India include government fees and professional service charges. Here is a complete breakdown:

Post incorporation, every Section 8 company must fulfil mandatory annual and event-based compliances to maintain its legal standing and tax-exempt status.

The Section 8 company compliance obligations are governed by multiple laws and regulatory bodies in India: Regulatory Body / Law Role Companies Act, 2013 Primary legislation governing Section 8 company formation and operations Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Registration authority and regulatory oversight Income Tax Act, 1961 Governs 12A, 80G tax exemptions and ITR filing FCRA, 2010 Governs receipt and utilization of foreign contributions GST Laws Applicable if turnover exceeds GST registration threshold CSR Rules (Companies Act) Section 8 companies can receive CSR funds from corporates

bkauditors.com is India's most trusted business registration and compliance platform, with over 1 million entrepreneurs and non-profit founders served across India. Our experienced team of CA, CS, and legal experts provides complete end-to-end NGO registration services, including name approval, MOA & AOA drafting, license, and incorporation certificate — all at transparent, affordable pricing with absolutely zero hidden charges. Our comprehensive Section 8 company registration package covers every step from start to finish: ✅ MCA Name Approval – Fast and hassle-free name reservation via RUN on the MCA portal ✅ MOA & AOA Drafting – Professionally drafted documents aligned with your non-profit objectives ✅ Company Incorporation – End-to-end filing of SPICe+ form and Section 8 License application ✅ PAN & TAN Registration – Seamless registration for all taxation and compliance requirements Ready to register your Section 8 company? Get started with bkauditors.com Section 8 Company Registration today — India's most trusted platform for nonprofit registration India. Our experts are available to guide you through every step of your Section 8 company registration online India journey. Simply share your details and we will take care of everything — quickly, accurately, and affordably. Take the first step towards making a lasting social impact!

Common questions about Section 8 Company Incorporation Starting at ₹2,899 in India. What is Section 8 company?To answer what is Section 8 company, It is a type of not-for-profit company set up for the promotion of art, science, commerce, charity, sports, education, research, or any other useful activity. These companies are typically formed to benefit a specific community or purpose and are excluded from the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 that generally apply to other companies.Can Section 8 company make profit?Yes, Section 8 companies can make a profit. Section 8 companies are businesses that receive subsidies from the government to provide services to low-income people. They can also use different ways to gain incomes such as - Investment, Donations, Funding, etc.What is difference between NGO and Section 8 company?A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is an organization that is independently established and operated, usually with a charitable, educational, religious, or social purpose. NGOs are usually non-profit and do not have a profit motive. A Section 8 Company is a non-profit organization formed to promote commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of environment or any other such object. Section 8 companies are allowed to generate profit but they must use their profits for the purpose of achieving their goals and not for the benefit of its members.Do I have to be present in-person to incorporate a Section 8 Company? No, you will not have to be present at our office or appear at any office for the registration of a Section 8 Company. All the documents can be scanned and sent through email to our office. Some documents will also have to be couriered to our office.What are the documents required for registration? Identity proof and address proof are mandatory for all the proposed Directors of the Section 8 Company. PAN Card is mandatory for Indian Nationals. In addition, the landlord of the registered office premises must provide a No Objection Certificate for having the registered office in his/her premises and must submit his/her identity proof and address proof.How long it will take to incorporate a Company? bkauditors.com can incorporate a Section 8 Company for in 20-30 days. The time taken for registration will depend on the submission of relevant documents by the client and the speed of Government Approvals. To ensure speedy registration, please choose a unique name for your Company and ensure you have all the required documents prior to starting the registration process.How long is the registration of the Company valid? Once a Company is incorporated, it will be active and in existence as long as the annual compliances are met with regularly. In case, annual compliances are not complied with, the Company will become a Dormant Company and may be struck off from the register after a period of time. A struck-off Company can be revived for a period of up to 20 years.What is a Digital Signature's Certificate?A Digital Signature establishes the identity of the sender or signee electronically while filing documents through the Internet. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) mandates that the Directors sign some of the application documents using their Digital Signature. Hence, a Digital Signature is required for all Directors of a proposed Section 8 Company.What is the Director Identification Number? Director Identification Number is a unique identification number assigned to all existing and proposed Directors of a Company. It is mandatory for all present or proposed Directors to have a Director Identification Number. Director Identification Number never expires and a person can have only one Director Identification Number.Can NRIs /Foreign Nationals be a Director in a Section 8 Company? Yes, a NRI or Foreign National can be a Director in a Section 8 Company after obtaining Director Identification Number. However, at least one Director on the Board of Directors must be a Resident India.How many people are required to register a Private Limited Company? A minimum of two people is required to register a section 8 company in India.What are the requirements to be a Director? The Director needs to be over 18 years of age and must be a natural person. There are no limitations in terms of citizenship or residency. Therefore, even foreign nationals can be Directors in an Indian Section 8 Company.Is a Physical Office Mandatory to Establish a Section 8 Company?While a formal office space is not obligatory, a registered address within India is essential for the Section 8 Company. This address can be situated in commercial, industrial, or residential premises, provided it serves as the official communication point with the MCA.