Societies Registration in Rajasthan: the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958 Explained

Societies Registration explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.

The Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958 (Act 28 of 1958) is the State's own law on registered societies. Section 21 repeals the Societies Registration Act, 1860 as adapted to Rajasthan on commencement, and treats existing societies as registered under the 1958 Act where they could be.

This article is written from the Hindi copy consulted, and every number, period and amount is taken from the page. The Governor's assent is printed as 23 June 1958. The copy has no footnotes and does not say what it is amended up to; the lettered sections show that amendments have been worked in. Section 1 brings the Act into force on a date notified in the Gazette, which is not in the copy. Later amendments, the State rules and the current fee schedule should be checked. The central copy's fact sheet prints the Rajasthan Act as "XXVII of 1958"; this Hindi copy prints 28. Lettered sections such as 1-ka, 1-kha, 4-ka and 4-kha are shown as in the Hindi copy; English prints usually show them as 1-A, 1-B, 4-A and 4-B. Groups weighing a society against a not-for-profit company can read about Section 8 company registration.

Seven or more persons form a society by filing a memorandum with the Registrar (s.1-kha). A list of the governing body is filed every year on or before the fourteenth day after the annual general meeting, or in January if the rules provide for none (s.4), with rules certified by not less than three governing body members (s.4-ka). Default is punishable with a fine up to five hundred rupees (s.4-kha). Dissolution needs two-thirds of the members (s.13).

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Formation, memorandum and registration (ss.1-ka to 3, 20)

"Registrar" means the Registrar of Co-operative Societies of the State, though the State Government may notify another officer (s.1-ka). Under s.1-kha, seven or more persons associated for a literary, scientific or charitable purpose, or a purpose in s.20, may sign a memorandum, file it with the Registrar and form a society. Section 20 lists charitable societies, military orphan funds, Khadi and Gramodyog (shown in brackets), literature, science and fine arts, instruction, useful knowledge, political education, libraries, public museums and galleries, and collections of natural history and inventions. Compare sections 1-3 of the 1860 Act.

The memorandum contains the name, objects, and the names, addresses and occupations of the governing body (s.2(1)); a copy of the rules certified by not less than three of its members is filed with it (s.2(2)). On filing, the Registrar certifies registration (s.3(1)). The fee is "such as the State Government directs from time to time" (s.3(2)); no figure is printed.

Annual list, changes and penalties (ss.4 to 4-ga)

Section 4 requires a list, once a year, on or before the fourteenth day after the annual general meeting held under the rules, or in January if the rules provide for none, with the names, addresses and occupations of the governing body. Under s.4-ka(1), a statement of changes in the governing body during the year, with an up-to-date copy of the rules certified by not less than three governing body members, goes with it; under s.4-ka(2), a certified copy of every change in the rules goes to the Registrar within fifteen days. In the pages read, the Act has no separate section on accounts or audit. Compare sections 4 and 19 of the 1860 Act, and see our guide on filing the annual list.

If the president, secretary or another authorised person fails to comply with s.4 or s.4-ka, he is on conviction fined up to five hundred rupees, with an additional fine up to fifty rupees a day for a continuing breach after the first conviction (s.4-kha(1)). A knowingly false entry or omission is punishable with a fine up to two thousand rupees (s.4-kha(2)). No court below a Magistrate of the First Class tries the offence, and none takes cognizance without a written complaint by the Registrar or a person he authorises (s.4-ga).

Property and suits (ss.5 to 11)

Property not vested in trustees is deemed vested in the governing body for the time being (s.5). Where new trustees are appointed, it vests jointly in new and continuing trustees without transfer; under s.5-ka they are appointed as the instrument provides or, failing that, as the members agree or by not less than two-thirds of members present, by a memorandum attested by two or more credible witnesses and signed by the chairperson, treated as a document compulsorily registrable under the Registration Act, 1908. See our guide to property of a society.

A society sues in the name fixed by its rules, or else its president, secretary or trustees (s.6). Suits do not abate (s.7), and judgments are enforced against the society's property (s.8). A pecuniary bye-law penalty needs a bye-law made under the rules or, failing that, by not less than three-fifths of members present (s.9). Sections 10 and 11 let a member be sued for arrears or damage and punished for theft or forgery like a stranger. See sections 5-8 and sections 9-11 of the 1860 Act.

Alteration and change of name (ss.12 to 12-ga, 18)

Under s.12 the governing body reports a proposal to alter, extend or abridge purposes, or to amalgamate, to every member ten days before a special general meeting; it needs two-thirds of the votes in person or by proxy, confirmed by two-thirds of members present at a second meeting a month later. The central text prints three-fifths here; the Hindi copy prints two-thirds. A name change needs a resolution at a special general meeting with the consent of not less than two-thirds of members (s.12-ka). Written notice signed by the secretary and seven members goes to the Registrar within fifteen days of the resolution; he registers the change and issues an amended certificate, from which the change takes effect (s.12-kha). A copy of the certificate costs one rupee as printed in the Hindi copy consulted. A change does not affect rights or obligations (s.12-ga). Under s.18 the Registrar refuses a name identical with an existing name or so similar as likely to mislead.

Dissolution and surplus property (ss.13 to 14-ka)

Not less than two-thirds of members may decide that a society be dissolved (s.13). A dispute among the governing body or members goes to the principal court of original civil jurisdiction of the district of the chief office; no dissolution without the wish of two-thirds by votes at a meeting convened for the purpose; and Government consent is needed where a Government is a member, contributor or interested. After debts, surplus property is not paid to members but given to another society decided by not less than two-thirds of those present, failing which by the court (s.14); a society formed by shareholders' contributions in the nature of a joint-stock company is excepted. Under s.14-ka two-thirds may resolve that the surplus go to the State Government for a s.1-kha purpose. Compare sections 13 and 14 of the 1860 Act, which use three-fifths.

Members, old societies, inspection and repeal (ss.15 to 21)

A member is a person who has paid a subscription or signed the roll and not resigned; one in arrear for more than three months cannot vote or be counted (s.15). Section 16 defines the governing body. Section 17 allows societies formed before the Act to register. Section 19 lets any person inspect filed documents for one rupee per inspection and obtain certified copies at twenty-five paise per hundred words, as printed in the Hindi copy consulted. Section 21 repeals the 1860 Act as adapted and the other registration laws; societies registered under them are deemed registered, and must make the s.4-ka filing within three months of commencement (s.21(5)). For a different law, see our post on trust registration in Rajasthan.

Need help with a Rajasthan society?

If you are choosing between a society and a not-for-profit company, or a Rajasthan society's filings need review, see our Section 8 company registration page for the company route. For tax registrations, see our income-tax guides.

Key takeaways

• Section 21 repeals the 1860 Act as adapted to Rajasthan.
• Seven or more persons form a society; the Registrar is the Registrar of Co-operative Societies unless another officer is notified.
• The annual list is filed on or before the fourteenth day after the annual general meeting, or in January; changes in rules within fifteen days.
• Default is punishable with a fine up to five hundred rupees (s.4-kha).
• The Hindi copy prints two-thirds where the central text prints three-fifths, in ss.12-ka, 12, 13, 14 and 14-ka.

Read next

• Trust registration in Rajasthan
• Sections 4 and 19 of the 1860 Act: annual list and inspection
• Sections 13 and 14 of the 1860 Act: dissolution and surplus property
• Societies Registration in Haryana: the 2012 Act

Disclaimer: Based on a copy of the Societies Registration Act, 1860 last updated 30 July 2019 and on copies of the Haryana (2012), Karnataka (1960), Rajasthan (1958), Tamil Nadu (1975), Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (1961) societies laws, each amended only up to the date its copy shows, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Societies law differs from State to State; later amendments, State rules and current fees should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.