Rules 16 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.
Rules 16 to 19 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 give the detail behind registration under Chapter V of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959. They list the five registers each Assistant Commissioner keeps, add particulars to the application and prescribe Form 6, set the registration fee by value of trust property, and give the form of certificate.
This article explains rules 16 to 19 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 as amended up to the date of the copy published by the Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan (consulted 3 October 2026; no amendment date is stated). Check the current text with the State's Devasthan Department before relying on it.
Rule 16: each Assistant Commissioner keeps five registers and books (Forms 1 to 5). Rule 17: the application is in Form 6 and carries four extra particulars beyond section 17(4). Rule 18: the fee, as printed in the published copy, is Rs. 1, 2, 3 or 5 depending on the value of the trust's property, paid in cash and credited to the Consolidated Fund of the State. Rule 19: on enrolment, the Assistant Commissioner signs and seals a certificate in the prescribed form. Chapter V applies only to the classes of public trusts the Rajasthan State Government has notified under section 1(4).
Where these rules sit
These rules are in Part IV, headed as giving effect to sections 17(3) and (4), 16(2), 18, 23 and 24 and 25(2). Chapter V of the Act deals with registration, and it applies only to the classes of public trusts the State Government has notified under section 1(4); those notifications are not part of the text consulted, so this article names no class. For the sections, see section 16 and section 17. Our general overview of the topic is in Trust Registration in Rajasthan. If you are preparing a Form 6 application, our compliance documentation team can check the particulars before you file.
Rule 16: registers and books
"In connection with the registration of public trusts, the Assistant Commissioner shall maintain the following registers and books in the forms shown against each":
| Form | Register or book as printed |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register of Public Trust |
| 2 | Register of decisions received from the Commissioner (headed "Register of Decision received from the Devasthan Commissioner") |
| 3 | Register of decision of Courts communicated to the Assistant Commissioner |
| 4 | Register of Changes |
| 5 | Book relating to immovable property situated in the region belonging to a public trust registered in another region |
Form 1, the Register of Public Trust, has thirteen numbered columns with headings that include the serial number, the name of the trust, the names and addresses of trustees and managers, the mode of succession to trusteeship, the objects, particulars of documents creating the trust, and particulars of movable and immovable property (village, tenure, survey number, area). The printed header of Form 3 says "See Rule 17", while rule 16 lists it; the sense is the register under rule 16.
Rule 17: the application for registration
Rule 17(1): the application "in addition, to the particulars specified in Clauses (i) to (ix) of Sub-section (4) of Section 17 shall contain the following particulars":
- other sources of income;
- particulars of encumbrances, if any, on trust property;
- particulars of title pertaining to the trust property and the instrument of trust (if executed and in existence), and the names of the trustees in possession of them;
- particulars of scheme, if any, relating to the trust.
Rule 17(2): "The application shall be in Form 6."
The Act's section 17(4) has clauses (i) to (x); clause (x) is "such other particulars as may be prescribed". The rule's reference to clauses (i) to (ix) leaves clause (x) to the rule itself, which is what the four added particulars do. The Act's other requirements (time limit, verification, copy of instrument) stay in section 17.
Form 6 is headed "Application Form" and is addressed to the Assistant Devasthan Commissioner of the region. It applies "under Section 17 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Act, 1959" for registration, and its second paragraph submits particulars numbered (i) to (xiii). The headings are: origin, nature and objects and designation; place of principal office; names and addresses of working trustee and manager; mode of succession; details of movable property with estimated value; details of immovable property with estimated value; other sources of income; gross average annual income; average annual expenditure under five heads (remuneration, establishment, religious objects, charitable objects and miscellaneous); encumbrances; title deeds and instrument; address for communication; and remarks. It ends with a line for the fee, place, date and the signature of the working trustee or manager. The form is described here by its headings only.
Rule 18: registration fee
"The fee to accompany the application shall be in cash and of the following amount". The table as printed in the published copy:
| Value of the property of the public trust | Fee as printed |
|---|---|
| Does not exceed Rs. 1000 | Rs. 1 |
| Exceeds Rs. 1000 but does not exceed Rs. 3000 | Rs. 2 |
| Exceeds Rs. 3000 but does not exceed Rs. 5000 | Rs. 3 |
| Exceeds Rs. 5000 | Rs. 5 |
"The fee shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of the State." Section 17(3) of the Act says the application is accompanied by "such fee if any, not exceeding five rupees"; the top figure of Rs. 5 in rule 18 matches that ceiling. These are the amounts printed in the published copy. Whether they have since changed is not shown in the copy, so confirm the fee with the Assistant Devasthan Commissioner's office. The printed copy also shows "Rs. 1.000/-" and "Rs. 3.000/-" with a full stop; these are read as 1,000 and 3,000.
Rule 19: certificate of registration
"When a public trust is enrolled in the register of public trusts, a certificate in the following form shall be issued to the Trustee in token of registration. Such certificate shall be signed by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of registration and shall bear the office seal."
The form of certificate certifies that "the Public Trust described below has this day been duly registered under the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959 (42 of 1959)", with spaces for the office of the Assistant Devasthan Commissioner, the name of the public trust, its number in the register, the person to whom the certificate is issued, the date, the seal, the signature and the date. The year line is printed with the figures "197", so the blank is for a year in the 1970s as printed; a certificate today would carry the actual year.
The four rules at a glance
| Rule | Subject | Rule in short |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Registers | Forms 1 to 5 kept by each Assistant Commissioner |
| 17 | Application | Four extra particulars; Form 6 |
| 18 | Fee | Rs. 1, 2, 3 or 5 as printed, in cash, to the Consolidated Fund |
| 19 | Certificate | Signed and sealed by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of registration |
Worked example
An invented trust, Shri Bikaner Ganga Mandir Trust, has property valued at Rs. 4,200. Its working trustee, Mr Suresh Mathur, files Form 6 with the Assistant Devasthan Commissioner of the region, adds the four rule 17 particulars, and pays the fee in cash. On the figures printed in the published copy, a value between Rs. 3000 and Rs. 5000 attracts the third fee line, Rs. 3. After the inquiry and the entry in the Register of Public Trust, the Assistant Commissioner issues the certificate under rule 19 to Mr Mathur.
Practical points
- Use Form 6 and add the four particulars from rule 17(1).
- Attach the instrument of trust and record-of-rights copies, as section 17(5) of the Act requires.
- Pay the fee in cash as rule 18 states, and confirm the current amount with the office.
- Keep the certificate; it is the proof of registration under the Act.
- Check that your trust's class has been notified before assuming Chapter V applies.
Need help with your registration application?
An incomplete Form 6 can delay the inquiry that follows. We can check your trust deed, property records and particulars against the Act and the Rules before you file. Write to us through compliance documentation to start.
Key takeaways
- Rule 16 lists five registers and books, Forms 1 to 5, for each Assistant Commissioner.
- The application is in Form 6 and carries four particulars beyond section 17(4)(i) to (ix) (rule 17).
- The fee, as printed in the published copy, is Rs. 1, 2, 3 or 5 by value of property, paid in cash (rule 18).
- The fee goes to the Consolidated Fund of the State.
- The certificate of registration is signed by the Assistant Commissioner and bears the office seal (rule 19).
Read next
- Section 17 of the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act, 1959: registration application and time limit
- Rules 20 and 21 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962: registration inquiry and public notice
- Trust Registration in Rajasthan under the Rajasthan Public Trusts Act
Disclaimer: Based on the English text of the Rajasthan Public Trust Rules, 1962 published by the Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan, as consulted on 3 October 2026; that copy does not state the date of its last amendment. Later amendments, State notifications and current fees should be checked with the State authorities. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.