NGO Services

Trust
Registration

Register a charitable or religious Trust in India with a proper Trust Deed. The most common and flexible form of NGO, ideal for managing charitable assets and activities.

Min. 2 Trustees
Simplest NGO Form
FCRA & 12A Eligible
Overview

What is a Trust?

A Trust is a legal arrangement where a settlor transfers property or assets to trustees to manage for the benefit of beneficiaries or for a defined charitable purpose. It is one of the most ancient and widely used legal structures for charitable work in India.

Private trusts are governed by the Indian Trusts Act 1882, while public/charitable trusts are primarily governed by state-specific laws (e.g., Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, Rajasthan Public Trusts Act). The Trust Deed is the governing document that defines the objects, powers of trustees, and rules for the trust.

Trusts are most commonly used for religious institutions, educational bodies, medical/healthcare charities, and general philanthropic activities. They are the simplest and most flexible NGO structure, requiring minimal compliance after registration.

Simple Formation

Registered with Sub-Registrar - the simplest NGO form with minimal formalities

Flexible Objectives

Define any charitable, religious, educational or welfare objective in the Trust Deed

Manage Property

Trust can hold and manage immovable property, land, and assets in its own name

Tax Exemptions

Eligible for 12A income tax exemption and 80G donor deduction benefits

Why Register

Benefits of Trust Registration

Simple Formation

Minimal documentation and formalities. Registered with Sub-Registrar through Trust Deed - the simplest NGO registration process.

Flexible Objectives

Define broad or specific charitable, religious, educational, medical, or welfare objectives as per the Trust Deed.

Tax Exemptions (12A / 80G)

Apply for income tax exemption under 12A and donor deduction benefit under 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Manage Property & Assets

Trust can hold, manage, and dispose of immovable property and assets in the name of the Trust.

Religious & Charitable Work

Most religious institutions - temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras - are registered as Trusts under state laws.

FCRA Eligible

Registered Trusts with 3+ years track record can apply for FCRA registration to receive foreign donations.

Requirements

Documents Required

For Trustees & Settlor

  • Trust Deed drafted on stamp paper
  • PAN Card of settlor and all trustees
  • Aadhaar Card of all trustees
  • Two passport-size photographs of each trustee
  • Consent letter from each trustee

For Registered Office

  • Latest electricity / water bill
  • NOC from property owner (if rented)
  • Rent agreement (if applicable)
  • Address proof of registered office
  • Stamp duty payment receipt
How It Works

Registration Process

1

Draft Trust Deed

Prepare comprehensive Trust Deed with objectives, powers and rules

2

Stamp Duty

Pay state-specific stamp duty on Trust Deed (varies by state)

3

Register with Sub-Registrar

Execute and register Trust Deed at local Sub-Registrar's office

4

PAN / TAN

Apply for PAN and TAN for the registered Trust entity

5

Apply for 12A

File Form 10A on IT portal for income tax exemption

6

Apply for 80G

Obtain 80G certificate for donor tax deduction benefits

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A minimum of 2 trustees is required to form and register a charitable Trust in India. There is no maximum limit. For a public charitable trust, it is advisable to have at least 3–5 trustees to ensure proper governance and continuity of the organization.
Stamp duty on a Trust Deed varies by state. In most states it ranges from ₹200 to ₹1,000 for a fixed nominal property trust. If actual immovable property is being transferred to the Trust, stamp duty is calculated as a percentage of the property value as per the state's stamp duty schedule.
A public/charitable trust is created for the benefit of the general public or a section of it - it can apply for 12A/80G tax exemptions. A private trust is created for the benefit of specific identified individuals or family members - it is not eligible for charitable tax exemptions. Most NGO trusts are public charitable trusts.
Yes. A registered Trust can hold, acquire, and manage immovable property (land, buildings) in the name of the Trust. The property is managed by the trustees as per the Trust Deed for the benefit of the Trust's objectives. This is one of the key advantages of a Trust over Society or Section 8 for property-owning organizations.

Register Your Trust Today

Get complete Trust registration support - deed drafting, Sub-Registrar filing, PAN/TAN, 12A and 80G applications - handled end-to-end by our CA team.