Trust Registration
A public charitable trust is a common, straightforward way to start an NGO. We draft your trust deed, register it with the sub-registrar, and set you up to pursue 12A, 80G and Darpan so the trust can actually function and raise funds.
Starts at
₹6,999
Government fees, department fees, inspection requirements, professional fees, renewal fees, penalties and state/local authority charges may vary based on business type, location, turnover, employee count, licence category and official requirements.
Timeline
Often 1–3 weeks
Documents
Settlor, trustees & property
Charitable trust setup
Trust deed drafted
Sub-registrar registration
Expert-reviewed
Pricing
Trust registration
Stamp duty (on the deed) and registration charges are state-driven and shown separately. Pricing covers drafting and registration support.
Trust Registration
Charitable trust
+ GST + stamp duty
- Trust deed drafting
- Sub-registrar registration
- PAN application
- Expert review
Trust + NGO Setup
Ready to operate
Bundle
- Trust registration
- 12A & 80G
- NGO Darpan
- Compliance guidance
Prices are professional fees and indicative. Government fees, stamp duty, DSC, PAN/TAN, state charges and third-party costs are extra and may change. A final engagement summary separates each component before payment.
Overview
What is Trust Registration?
A trust is a structure where a settlor transfers property to trustees to hold and apply for the benefit of others or for a charitable purpose. A public charitable trust is one of the most common vehicles for starting an NGO in India, governed by state Public Trust Acts (where they exist) and the general law on trusts.
Setting one up means drafting a trust deed that clearly states the objects, trustees, and how the trust will be run, then registering it with the local sub-registrar (with stamp duty). The trust then obtains a PAN and — to become tax-effective and fundable — pursues 12A, 80G, NGO Darpan and (for corporate funds) CSR-1.
We draft a clean, compliant trust deed, register it, get the PAN, and set you up for the exemptions and registrations that let the trust actually function.
Is it for you?
Who needs it — and who doesn't
Recommended if
- Founders starting a charitable NGO
- Families/individuals setting up a philanthropic trust
- Groups wanting a simpler NGO structure than a society/Section 8
- Anyone needing a registered trust to receive grants/donations
May not be needed if
- For-profit ventures (use a company/LLP)
- Those better suited to a society or Section 8 company (we advise)
Benefits
Why it's worth doing right
Simple, recognised NGO form
A charitable trust is straightforward to set up and widely recognised by donors, banks and authorities.
A solid deed
We draft the deed carefully — clear objects and governance now prevent problems with 12A/80G and funders later.
Function-ready
We don't stop at registration: we set you up for PAN, 12A, 80G and Darpan so the trust can operate.
Eligibility
Eligibility & key conditions
- You have a settlor and at least the minimum trustees
- You have charitable objects and (often) initial trust property
- You can provide identity/address proofs
Documents
Documents required
What we need
- Settlor and trustees' ID and address proof
- Photographs of settlor/trustees
- Proposed trust name and objects
- Registered-office address proof (and NOC)
- Initial trust property/corpus details
Process
A clear path from start to filed
Official filing
How the Local sub-registrar (and Income Tax/NGO Darpan portals) flow works
A trust is registered by executing the trust deed on stamp paper and registering it before the local sub-registrar with the settlor, trustees and witnesses; the trust then obtains a PAN and pursues 12A/80G on the income-tax portal and a Darpan ID on the NITI Aayog portal.
We draft, coordinate the registration appointment, and file the downstream registrations through the official portals. We never claim a private API or guaranteed grant — registrations rest with the respective authorities.
Costs
Fees & cost breakdown
| Cost component | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| Professional feeDrafting and registration support | From ₹6,999 |
| Stamp dutyOn the trust deed; statutory | State-driven |
| Registration chargesSub-registrar charges | As applicable |
| 12A/80G/DarpanQuoted as a bundle | Separate |
Deliverables
What you receive on completion
After this filing
What you need to stay compliant next
Get 12A & 80G
To be tax-exempt and fundable, the trust should obtain 12A and 80G — we handle these next.
Maintain books & filings
Trusts must keep accounts and file returns as applicable; we can support ongoing compliance.
Avoid delays
Common mistakes & reasons for rejection
Common mistakes
- A vague deed that causes 12A/80G problems later
- Wrong structure (trust vs society vs Section 8) for the goal
- Skipping 12A/80G/Darpan and being unable to function
- Weak registered-office proof
AI-powered assistance
AI does the heavy lifting. Experts make the call.
AI assists with checks, drafting and explanations only. A qualified professional reviews every defined checkpoint and the final filing before submission. AI does not make consequential compliance decisions on its own.
Start your NGO as a trust
We draft your deed, register the trust, get the PAN and set you up for 12A, 80G and Darpan — so it's ready to operate and raise funds.
Compare
Trust Registration vs Society Registration
| Factor | Trust Registration | Society Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Settlor + trustees + deed | Members + governing body + MOA |
| Governing law | Trust Acts / general trust law | Societies Registration Act |
| Best for | Smaller, trustee-run NGOs | Membership-based bodies |
Use cases
Built for how real businesses operate
Philanthropist
Need: Start a charity simply
We suggest: Charitable trust, then 12A/80G.
Family foundation
Need: Structured giving
We suggest: Trust with a clear deed and exemptions.
Why MyFinancialAdvisory
A more accountable way to stay compliant
Quality & accountability
Reviewed by compliance experts
Every trust registration engagement is prepared with structured checks and signed off by qualified professionals before anything is filed — speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by MyFinancialAdvisory Compliance Team
Business registration & licensing review
Our registration and licensing applications are prepared with AI-assisted checks and reviewed by qualified professionals experienced in MSME, FSSAI, IEC, labour and NGO registrations before anything is submitted. Business compliance, powered by AI — verified where possible, reviewed by experts, tracked by you.
Structured document checks
Documents and eligibility follow structured checks before expert review.
Expert-reviewed before filing
A qualified professional signs off every defined checkpoint.
Compliance-safe guidance
Advice mapped to current rules — no shortcuts, no guesswork.
Resources
Related guides & reading
Keep exploring
Hub
Registrations & Licences
Every licence and registration to run your business legally in India.
Service
Society Registration
Register a society under the Societies Act.
Service
12A Registration
Income-tax exemption registration for NGOs.
Service
80G Registration
Donor tax-deduction registration for NGOs.
Service
NGO Darpan Registration
NITI Aayog NGO Darpan unique ID.
FAQs
Trust Registration — frequently asked questions
What is trust registration?
Setting up a charitable trust by drafting a trust deed and registering it with the local sub-registrar. It's a common, straightforward way to start an NGO in India.
Trust, society or Section 8 — which should I choose?
A trust (trustee-run, deed-based) is simple; a society suits membership-based bodies; a Section 8 company offers a corporate structure. We advise based on your goals, funders and scale.
How many people are needed to form a trust?
A settlor and at least the minimum number of trustees (commonly two or more). We confirm the requirement for your state.
Is stamp duty payable?
Yes — the trust deed attracts stamp duty, which is state-driven, plus sub-registrar registration charges. These are shown separately from our fee.
What happens after registration?
The trust obtains a PAN and then pursues 12A and 80G (income-tax exemption and donor benefit) and an NGO Darpan ID — we handle these so the trust can function and fundraise.
Can a trust receive donations and grants?
Yes, especially once it has 12A/80G (and Darpan/CSR-1 for government and corporate funds). We set you up for these.
How long does trust registration take?
Often one to three weeks for the registration itself, depending on the sub-registrar; the downstream exemptions take additional time.
Ready to get trust registration done?
Start with a quick conversation. We’ll confirm scope, documents, fees and the next deadline.