Section 8 Company Registration Cost
See the government cost to incorporate a Section 8 (non-profit) company — MCA/RoC and INC-12 fees, stamp duty, DSC and add-on registration govt fees, live on one screen.
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Itemised government cost breakdown
Get your Section 8 company registered end-to-end
TaxClue handles name approval, INC-12 licence, MOA/AOA, DIN, DSC and 12A/80G.
Disclaimer: Government fees only — professional fees are not included. Figures for a Section 8 company are indicative and vary by state, share capital and requirements; subject to MCA/RoC and state notifications.
What's included in your Section 8 registration
The total you see above is the government cost only — professional fees are not included. A Section 8 company is incorporated on the MCA portal like any company, but with an extra central-government licence step. Here is what goes into the cost.
Government filing fee
The MCA / RoC name-reservation, INC-12 licence and filing fees paid to the government for the SPICe+ incorporation forms. Section 8 companies enjoy fee exemptions, so this stays low.
Stamp duty
State stamp duty on the MOA/AOA, paid through SPICe+. It varies by state — the figure here is an indicative estimate at a nominal authorised capital.
DSC & DIN
A Digital Signature Certificate (₹1,500/director, indicative) from a licensed Certifying Authority is required to sign the e-forms; DINs are allotted free through SPICe+ for up to 3 directors.
12A / 80G & other add-ons
Optional but recommended — 12A gives the NGO income-tax exemption and 80G lets donors claim a deduction; neither carries a government fee. GST, MSME, Trademark and IEC can be added on top.
The Section 8 licence & INC-12
Unlike a normal Private Limited company, a Section 8 company must first obtain a licence from the Central Government (Registrar of Companies) confirming its non-profit objectives. This is why the timeline is longer.
Why a Section 8 company — key benefits
A Section 8 company is the most credible way to run an NGO in India. It combines the structure of a company with the tax advantages of a charitable body, once 12A and 80G are in place.
Members and directors are protected — personal assets are separate from the NGO's obligations, unlike a trust or society.
With 80G, donors can claim a deduction on their contributions, making it far easier to raise funds.
With 12A, the company's surplus applied to its objectives is exempt from income tax.
There is no prescribed minimum share capital, so you can start with a nominal amount and keep filing fees low.
Regulated by the MCA and RoC, a Section 8 company is trusted by CSR donors, grant agencies and foreign funders (with FCRA).
Section 8 companies can drop the "Limited"/"Private Limited" suffix and use names like Foundation or Association.
Questions people ask
Short answers on Section 8 Registration Cost. Tap a question to open it.
01What is a Section 8 company?
A company formed to promote commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity or environmental protection, which applies its profits to those objects and pays no dividend to members. It is the corporate form of a not-for-profit.
02How is it registered?
Through SPICe+ with a licence under section 8 applied for in Form INC-12 or within the incorporation application, supported by draft MOA in Form INC-13, a declaration in INC-14 from a professional, an estimate of income and expenditure for three years, and a declaration by the promoters in INC-15.
03What does registration cost?
The MCA filing fees, DSCs for the directors and any state stamp duty on the MOA and AOA; DINs are allotted free through SPICe+ for up to three directors. Registration under 12A and 80G, for tax exemption and donor deductions, is a separate application. Professional fees are not included in this calculator.
04How does it compare with a trust or a society?
A Section 8 company has a national registration, stronger governance and greater credibility with donors and CSR funders, at the cost of annual ROC compliance and audit. A trust or society is cheaper to run but is registered under state law.
05Does a Section 8 company need 12A and 80G?
Section 8 status is a company-law licence, not a tax exemption. To exempt its income you need registration under section 12A, and to give donors a deduction you need approval under section 80G — both applied for separately.
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Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.