How Much Does It Cost to Start an NGO in India in 2026? (Full Breakdown)
Nobody quotes you an honest number upfront. This guide breaks down every cost — government fees, stamp duty, professional fees, RNPO and 80G applications, and ongoing annual compliance — so you can budget accurately before you begin.
Quick Answer
The NGO registration cost in India ranges from ₹8,000–₹20,000 for a Trust, ₹10,000–₹30,000 for a Society, and ₹20,000–₹50,000 for a Section 8 Company — all-in (government fees + professional fees). Add ₹8,000–₹15,000 for RNPO (12A) and 80G applications. Annual compliance costs another ₹15,000–₹50,000 per year depending on the structure and income level.
Trust registration cost in India (2026)
A Public Charitable Trust is registered at the Sub-Registrar's office or with the Charity Commissioner, depending on the state. Costs are primarily driven by stamp duty on the Trust Deed, which varies significantly by state.
| Cost item | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Stamp duty on Trust Deed | ₹200–₹5,000 (highly state-dependent) |
| Sub-Registrar / notarisation fee | ₹500–₹2,000 |
| CA / advocate professional fee (deed drafting + registration) | ₹5,000–₹15,000 |
| PAN application (NGO) | ₹110 (online) |
| NGO Darpan registration | Free (government portal) |
| Total (one-time registration) | ₹6,000–₹22,000 |
Maharashtra and Gujarat note: These states have dedicated Public Trusts Acts with Charity Commissioner oversight. Registration in these states involves additional fees and filings — budget ₹5,000–₹10,000 more than other states.
Society registration cost in India (2026)
Societies are registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 with the state Registrar of Societies. Fees vary by state but are generally low — the bulk of the cost is professional fees for drafting the Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations.
| Cost item | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| State registration fee | ₹500–₹5,000 (state-dependent) |
| Stamp paper for MoA | ₹200–₹1,000 |
| CA / advocate fee (drafting + filing) | ₹6,000–₹18,000 |
| PAN application (NGO) | ₹110 |
| NGO Darpan registration | Free |
| Total (one-time registration) | ₹8,000–₹24,000 |
Section 8 Company registration cost in India (2026)
A Section 8 Company is registered via the MCA portal using the SPICe+ form. The process involves Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) and Director Identification Numbers (DIN) for all directors, name reservation, and MCA filing fees. All costs are standardised nationally.
| Cost item | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) — per director | ₹1,500–₹3,000 each |
| DIN (Director Identification Number) — via SPICe+ | Included in SPICe+ (no separate fee) |
| Name reservation (RUN form on MCA) | ₹1,000 |
| MCA SPICe+ filing fee (authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh) | ₹0 govt fee (only professional + stamp duty) |
| Stamp duty on MoA & AoA (state-dependent) | ₹500–₹3,000 |
| Section 8 licence fee (Form INC-12) | ₹2,000 |
| CA / CS professional fee (full process) | ₹10,000–₹30,000 |
| PAN + TAN (mandatory for Section 8) | ₹110 + ₹65 |
| NGO Darpan registration | Free |
| Total (one-time registration) | ₹18,000–₹45,000 |
The wide range reflects the number of directors (each needs a DSC), the state where the registered office is located (stamp duty varies), and the professional fee of the CA or CS you engage.
RNPO (Section 332) and 80G application cost
The government charges no filing fee for RNPO registration (formerly 12A) or 80G applications. These are filed online on the Income Tax portal. However, the CA or consultant preparing and filing the application will charge professional fees.
| Application | Govt fee | Typical CA professional fee |
|---|---|---|
| RNPO registration (Section 332 / Form 10A) | Nil | ₹3,000–₹8,000 |
| 80G application (Form 10A) | Nil | ₹3,000–₹8,000 |
| Both together (usually filed simultaneously) | Nil | ₹5,000–₹12,000 |
Most CAs file both RNPO and 80G in a single engagement — it is more efficient and saves cost. Budget ₹5,000–₹12,000 total for a competent CA to prepare documents, file Form 10A (for provisional registration), and follow up with the Income Tax Department.
Annual compliance cost — what to budget every year
Registration is a one-time cost, but compliance is ongoing. This is what catches founders off-guard in Year 2 and beyond.
| Annual filing / requirement | Trust | Society | Section 8 Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory audit (CA fees) | ₹5,000–₹15,000 | ₹5,000–₹15,000 | ₹10,000–₹25,000 |
| ITR-7 filing (CA fees) | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | ₹5,000–₹10,000 |
| ROC filings (AOC-4 + MGT-7) | N/A | N/A | ₹5,000–₹15,000 |
| Form 10BD (donation reporting, if 80G) | ₹2,000–₹5,000 | ₹2,000–₹5,000 | ₹2,000–₹5,000 |
| State registrar renewal (some states) | ₹500–₹2,000 | ₹500–₹2,000 | N/A |
| Estimated total annual cost | ₹10,000–₹25,000 | ₹12,000–₹28,000 | ₹22,000–₹55,000 |
Total Year 1 cost: what to budget end-to-end
| Cost component | Trust | Society | Section 8 Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration (one-time) | ₹6,000–₹22,000 | ₹8,000–₹24,000 | ₹18,000–₹45,000 |
| RNPO + 80G application | ₹5,000–₹12,000 | ₹5,000–₹12,000 | ₹5,000–₹12,000 |
| NGO Darpan registration | Free | Free | Free |
| Year 1 annual compliance | ₹10,000–₹25,000 | ₹12,000–₹28,000 | ₹22,000–₹55,000 |
| Total Year 1 | ₹21,000–₹59,000 | ₹25,000–₹64,000 | ₹45,000–₹1,12,000 |
These are realistic ranges — not the cheapest-possible minimums quoted to win your business, and not inflated agency rates. A lean Section 8 Company run efficiently through a good CA should cost you around ₹55,000–₹70,000 all-in for Year 1, including registration and compliance.
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What founders get wrong about NGO registration costs
- Choosing a CA based on the lowest quote. A ₹3,000 Trust registration sounds great until the deed is rejected by the Income Tax Officer because the dissolution clause is wrong. The RNPO application fails, you need an amendment, and the "cheap" registration ends up costing ₹20,000+ to fix. Quality of drafting matters far more than the headline fee.
- Forgetting annual compliance in the budget. Many founders budget carefully for registration, then get surprised by the ₹30,000–₹50,000 annual CA bill. Annual compliance is a fixed operating cost — it should be in your Year 1 plan before you spend a rupee on programmes.
- Not budgeting for RNPO separately. Some consultants quote registration cost without RNPO and 80G — then charge separately later. Ask for a complete quote that includes registration + RNPO + 80G + Darpan upfront.
- Assuming the government portal is free so the whole process is free. The RNPO application has no government fee — but the CA preparation, supporting documents, and follow-up have a professional cost. "Free to file" and "free to complete" are not the same thing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register an NGO in India?
All-in costs: Trust ₹6,000–₹22,000; Society ₹8,000–₹24,000; Section 8 Company ₹18,000–₹45,000. Add ₹5,000–₹12,000 for RNPO (12A) and 80G applications. Annual compliance runs another ₹10,000–₹55,000 per year depending on structure and income.
What is the government fee for Section 8 company registration?
MCA fees include name reservation (₹1,000), Section 8 licence (₹2,000), stamp duty (₹500–₹3,000 state-dependent), and DSC per director (₹1,500–₹3,000). SPICe+ filing for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh has no additional MCA fee. Professional fees add ₹10,000–₹30,000.
Is 12A / RNPO and 80G registration free?
The government filing fee is nil. However, a CA who prepares the application, supporting documents and files Form 10A will charge ₹5,000–₹12,000 for both applications together.
What are the ongoing annual compliance costs for an NGO?
Annual compliance: Trust ₹10,000–₹25,000/year; Society ₹12,000–₹28,000/year; Section 8 Company ₹22,000–₹55,000/year. This covers statutory audit, ITR-7 filing, ROC filings (Section 8 only), and Form 10BD donation reporting.
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This article is general information and not legal or tax advice. Fees quoted are indicative for 2026 and vary by state and service provider. Confirm current rates before you engage a professional.