Section 9 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.
Section 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Act, 1951 requires the working trustee of a registered public trust in Madhya Pradesh to report to the Registrar, within ninety days, any change in the entries in the register, and allows a report of a change desired in the interest of administration. The Registrar may inquire, record a finding with reasons and amend the entries.
This article explains section 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Act, 1951 (M.P. Act No. 30 of 1951) as amended up to the date of the English text consulted on 3 October 2026 (published without amendment footnotes; bracketed words show that the State has amended it). Check the current text with the State's Devasthan Department or Registrar of Public Trusts before relying on it.
When any change occurs in the entries recorded in the register, the working trustee must report it to the Registrar within ninety days of the change (section 9(1)). He may also report a proposed change that is desired in the interest of administration. After any inquiry he thinks necessary, the Registrar records a finding with reasons and amends the entries (section 9(2)). Section 8 applies to the finding, so a civil suit lies within the period given there (section 9(3)). The Rules prescribe Form VI for the application.
Sub-section (1): the report
"Where any change occurs in any of the entries recorded in the register, the working trustee shall, within ninety days from the date of the occurrence of such change or where any change is desired in such entries in the interest of the administration of the such public trust, report in the prescribed manner such change or proposed change to the Registrar."
The sub-section covers two situations:
| Situation | Who reports | Period |
|---|---|---|
| A change has occurred in an entry in the register | Working trustee | Within ninety days from the date the change occurs |
| A change is desired in the interest of administration | Working trustee | The text prints no period for a proposed change |
The entries recorded in the register are those made after the inquiry in sections 5 to 8: for example the names and addresses of the working trustee and manager, the mode of succession, the property and the income. A change in any of them, such as a new working trustee, a purchase of land or a different place of principal office, falls within the sub-section. The Act does not list examples; the examples here are only to show how the sub-section reads. A trust that wants help with the report can use our compliance documentation service.
The ninety days run from the occurrence of the change. This article does not compute any date from them.
Sub-section (2): inquiry, finding and amendment
"If, on receipt of such report and after making such enquiry as the Registrar may consider necessary, the Registrar is satisfied that a change has occurred or is necessary in any of the entries recorded in the register in regard to a particular public trust, he shall record a finding with the reason therefor and subject to the provisions contained in sub-section (3) amend the entries in the said register in accordance with such finding."
Five features can be read from the words:
- The Registrar acts on receipt of the report.
- The inquiry is discretionary: he makes "such enquiry as the Registrar may consider necessary".
- He must be satisfied that a change has occurred or is necessary.
- He must record a finding with reasons.
- He amends the entries in accordance with the finding, subject to sub-section (3).
Sub-section (3): section 8 applies
"The provisions of Section 8 shall apply to any finding under this section as they apply to a finding under Section 6." A working trustee or person having interest who is aggrieved by the finding may therefore file a civil suit within six months of the date of the publication of the notice under section 7(1), to have the finding set aside or modified, and the Civil Court gives notice to the State Government through the Registrar. The text of section 9 does not itself say that the amended entry is to be published on the notice board; the six-month period in section 8 runs from the publication of the notice under section 7(1), so a trustee should ask the Registrar's office how the amended entry is notified.
What the Rules add
Rule 6 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Rules, 1962 (explained in rules 6 to 9) adds three points as printed:
- An application under section 9(1) for a change or proposed change is made in Form VI.
- Amendments are made by scoring out in red ink the original entry and initialling the addition or alteration by the Registrar.
- The Registrar may of his own motion correct clerical or accidental mistakes; each such alteration is initialled and dated by him.
The third point is separate from a section 9 change: it covers a slip in the entry, not a change in the facts.
The section at a glance
| Sub-section | Subject | Rule in short |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Report | Working trustee reports an occurred change within ninety days, or a proposed change desired for administration |
| (2) | Finding | Registrar inquires if necessary, records finding with reasons, amends entries |
| (3) | Suit | Section 8 applies to the finding |
Worked example
An invented trust, Shri Hoshangabad Ram Janki Trust, is registered in the district. Its working trustee, Mr Mukesh Rathore, resigns and Mrs Sunita Verma takes over on a given day. Mrs Verma, as working trustee, reports the change in Form VI within ninety days. The Registrar inquires, records a finding with reasons and amends the entry, scoring out the old name in red ink. A member of the trust, Mr Ajay Soni, who is aggrieved by the finding, may institute a suit under section 8 within six months from the publication of the notice under section 7(1). Had the trust wanted to move its office to another place for convenience, it could have reported that as a proposed change.
Practical points
- Diarise the ninety days from the date of any change, such as a new working trustee or a new property.
- Use Form VI and attach papers that prove the change.
- Report a proposed change if it is desired in the interest of administration.
- Keep the Registrar's finding and the amended entry with the trust records.
- Take advice quickly if you are aggrieved by a finding, because the suit has a time limit.
Need help reporting a change?
An out-of-date register can cause trouble later, whether in a sale, a bank matter or a dispute. We can draft the report, assemble the supporting papers and follow it up with the Registrar. Write to us through compliance documentation to start.
Key takeaways
- The working trustee must report a change in the registered entries within ninety days of its occurrence (section 9(1)).
- A proposed change desired in the interest of administration can also be reported.
- The Registrar inquires if he thinks it necessary, records a finding with reasons and amends the entries (section 9(2)).
- Section 8 applies, so a civil suit lies against the finding (section 9(3)).
- The Rules prescribe Form VI and the red-ink method of amendment.
Read next
- Sections 5 to 8 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Act, 1951: inquiry, findings, entries and civil suit
- Sections 10 to 12 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Act, 1951: property in other districts, trusts by will and notice
- Rules 6 to 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Rules, 1962: changes, registers and sanction applications
Disclaimer: Based on the English texts of the Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Act, 1951 and Madhya Pradesh Public Trusts Rules, 1962, as consulted on 3 October 2026; those copies do not state the date of their 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.