Society / NGO Bye-Laws

What this is

The memorandum of association and rules and regulations, or bye-laws, of a society or NGO - name, objects, membership and its classes, governing body, office bearers, meetings, elections, funds and accounts, amendments and dissolution - drafted to the Societies Registration Act or your state's society law and to the requirements for tax exemption. It is for founders registering a society, associations, clubs, RWAs and NGOs updating their rules. Our panel advocate drafts and reviews the documents and delivers them signed on letterhead; registration with the Registrar of Societies is a separate step we explain.

What you get

A memorandum of association and rules and regulations drafted, reviewed and signed by our panel advocate on letterhead, covering the name, registered office and area of operation, objects framed for the purpose and, where tax exemption is sought, to the income-tax definition of charitable purpose, the founding members, membership classes, admission, subscription, rights and cessation, the general body and its meetings, the governing body and office bearers with their powers, tenure and elections, quorum and voting, funds, bank accounts, accounts and audit, records and registers, amendment, disputes among members, and dissolution with transfer of assets. Delivered ready for signing by the founding members, with a note on the Registrar's requirements in your state, the annual filings, and the 12A and 80G registrations available afterwards. Registration fees are not included.

How it works

1. 1Tell us the societyIts name, objects, founding members and office bearers. Upload IDs and address proof.
2. 2Confirm the structureMembership classes, governing body size, tenure, elections and meetings.
3. 3Answer the advocate's questionsWhich state registers it, how many founding members there are, whether they are from one family, whether tax exemption will be sought, and whether it will run institutions.
4. 4PayPay the fee.
5. 5Advocate drafts and signsOur panel advocate drafts the memorandum and rules and signs them on letterhead.
6. 6Documents are deliveredYou receive the memorandum and rules for signing, with the registration and filing note.

What to have ready

• ID and address proof of every founding memberAadhaar, PAN or passport; photographs.
• Registered office address proofElectricity bill and NOC or rent agreement.
• Existing memorandum, bye-laws and registration certificate (if you have it)If amending.
• Minutes of the general body approving amendments (if you have it)If amending.
• Draft objects or activity plan (if you have it)If prepared.

What this is based on

• Societies Registration Act 1860 / state amendments (1860)
• Companies Act 2013 (2013)
• Income Tax Act 1961 (1961)