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.
In Uttar Pradesh the Societies Registration Act, 1860 is not repealed in the copies read. It applies as amended by Uttar Pradesh Acts, which substitute section 3, add sections such as 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-B, 12-A to 12-D, 13-A, 13-B, 14-A and 16-A, and add ss.21 to 33.
Two sources were read together: the Uttar Pradesh amendment blocks printed with a copy of the central Act, and a separate print of the Act as amended in Uttar Pradesh with numbered footnotes. Both are amended up to U.P. Act 23 of 2013 (in force from 9 October 2013). Where they differ, this article follows the footnoted print and says so. The Uttar Pradesh Societies Registration Rules, 1976 are not printed in the copies, so no rule is stated. Later amendments, the State rules and the current fee schedule should be checked. For the government NGO portal, see our page on NGO Darpan registration.
A certificate issued under s.3 is renewable under s.3-A (five years in the footnoted print; two years in the other copy). The annual list under s.4 is joined by a list of General Body members (s.4-B). The Registrar may cancel under s.12-D and the Court may dissolve under s.13-B. Election disputes go to the prescribed authority (s.25). Offences under s.27 carry a fine up to two thousand rupees.
Two conflicts between the copies
| Point | Blocks printed with the central copy | Footnoted print (followed here) |
|---|---|---|
| Period of a certificate, s.3-A(1) | "a period of two years" | "five years", footnote "Subs. by U.P. Act No. 23 of 1994" |
| s.5-A, no transfer of immovable property without the Court's approval | Printed as in force (U.P. Act 26 of 1979) | "now omitted by U.P. Act No. 13 of 2009, Section 2 (w.e.f. 11-12-2008)" |
The footnoted print carries the later footnotes, so this article treats the s.3-A period as five years and s.5-A as omitted; check the official text. Two printing slips: the block for s.4 prints the Uttar Pradesh proviso twice, and its sub-section (2) ends "certified by not less than three of the preceding year of account", so words appear to be missing; the block for s.3-A is headed "Removal" where the other print reads "Renewal".
Section map
| Topic | Sections |
|---|---|
| Registration, refusal, name | 3 |
| Renewal; reference to the State Government | 3-A, 3-B |
| Annual list; changes in rules; General Body list | 4, 4-A, 4-B |
| Change of name; cancellation of registration | 12-A to 12-D |
| Dissolution by the Court; surplus property | 13, 13-A, 13-B, 14-A |
| Register of members; disqualification | 15(2), 16-A |
| Registrar, information, audit, investigation | 21 to 24 |
| Election disputes; gifts | 25, 26 |
| Penalties, procedure, compounding | 27 to 29 |
| Rules | 33 |
Registration, refusal and renewal (ss.3, 3-A, 3-B)
Under substituted s.3(1), on filing the memorandum and certified copy with the society's registered address by the Secretary, the Registrar certifies registration. The registration fee is "one thousand rupees" as printed in the copy consulted, with a smaller fee the State Government may notify for a class of societies and a power to increase it. The Registrar may issue public notice inviting objections first. Under s.3(2) he must refuse, after a chance to show cause, where the name is identical with an existing name, uses words such as Union, State, Land Mortgage, Land Development, Co-operative, Gandhi or Reserve Bank or implies Government patronage or is likely to deceive; where an object is not one in ss.1 and 20; or where objects are contrary to law. The State Government may permit "Union" or "Gandhi" in exceptional circumstances.
Section 3-A makes the certificate renewable "for five years at a time" on application within one month of expiry, with the list of managing body members elected since and the certificate (s.3-A(4)). A society not renewed within one year of expiry "shall become an unregistered society", though the Registrar may allow a later application for sufficient cause on payment of a fee (s.3-A(5)). The renewal and late fees are printed in s.3-A(3) and (5) and are not repeated here. Section 3-B refers questions of entitlement to registration or renewal to the State Government, whose decision is final. Compare sections 1-3 of the 1860 Act and our guide on renewal state-wise.
Annual lists and changes (ss.4, 4-A, 4-B)
Section 4 keeps the central rule: a list of the governing body once a year, on or before the fourteenth day after the annual general meeting, or in January if the rules provide for none, filed with the "Registrar" (U.P. Act 25 of 1958). A proviso asks for the old office-bearers' counter-signatures if a new managing body was elected, failing which the Registrar may issue a public notice inviting objections. Sub-section (2) requires the memorandum, including changes of purposes under s.12, and the rules corrected up to date and certified. Section 4-A requires a copy of every change in the rules and of every change of address, certified by not less than three governing body members, within thirty days. Section 4-B (U.P. Act 23 of 2013) requires a list of General Body members with name, father's name, address and occupation at registration or renewal, and a modified list within one month of any change, signed by two office-bearers and two executive members. Compare sections 4 and 19 of the central Act.
Change of name and cancellation (ss.12 to 12-D)
Section 12 keeps the central text. Section 12-A lets a society change its name by a resolution at a general meeting with the consent of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members and the Registrar's previous written approval. Notice signed by the Secretary and any three other members goes to the Registrar (s.12-B), and a name change takes effect on registration. A change does not affect rights or proceedings (s.12-C). Section 12-D lets the Registrar cancel registration where it is contrary to law, where activities are subversive of the society's objects or opposed to public policy, or where registration or renewal was obtained by misrepresentation or fraud, after a reasonable opportunity; an appeal lies to the Commissioner of the Division within one month, and his decision is final.
Dissolution and surplus property (ss.13 to 14-A)
Section 13 refers disputes to the Court of the district of the registered office. Under s.13-A, where the Registrar believes a ground in s.13-B exists, he gives notice to show cause and may then move the Court. Under s.13-B the Court may order dissolution on the Registrar's application or that of not less than one-tenth of the members where the society contravened the law and dissolution is just and equitable; members are fewer than seven; it has ceased to function for more than three years; it cannot pay its debts; or registration was cancelled under s.12-D as opposed to public policy. Under s.14-A, members of a society dissolved under s.13 may by majority of those present decide that surplus property go to the Government for a purpose in s.1. Compare sections 13 and 14.
Members and office-bearers (ss.15(2), 16-A)
Every society keeps a register of members with prescribed particulars (s.15(2)). Section 16-A disqualifies an undischarged insolvent, a person convicted of an offence in connection with the formation, promotion, management or conduct of a society or body corporate, or of an offence involving moral turpitude, from being a governing body member or office-bearer.
Registrar's powers and elections (ss.21 to 26)
The Registrar is a person appointed by the State Government, including Additional, Joint, Deputy and Assistant Registrars (s.21). He may require information within a time ordinarily not less than two weeks (s.22) and audited accounts from a Chartered Accountant, or have an audit done at the society's cost (s.23). Section 24 lets him inspect or investigate where affairs appear mismanaged, examine officers on oath, seize records and give directions, failing which he may act under s.12-D or s.13-B. Under s.25 the prescribed authority decides disputes on the election or continuance of office-bearers on a reference by the Registrar or at least one-fourth of the members, and the Registrar may call a General Body meeting to elect where an election is set aside or not held in time. A gift for a specific purpose is not diverted without the Registrar's written consent (s.26).
Penalties and rules (ss.27 to 33)
Failing to furnish the s.4 or s.4-A list, false entries, failing to furnish accounts, refusing audit, failing to produce records or to appear before the Registrar is punishable with a fine up to two thousand rupees (s.27). No court below a Magistrate of the first class tries the offence, and cognizance needs a complaint by the Registrar or a person he authorises (s.28). The Registrar may accept a composition fee (s.29). Rules are made by the State Government (s.33).
Need help with an Uttar Pradesh society?
If your society needs its renewal, lists or elections reviewed, or you want to appear on a government portal, speak to us about NGO Darpan registration. For tax registrations, see our income-tax guides.
Key takeaways
- The 1860 Act applies in Uttar Pradesh as amended, up to U.P. Act 23 of 2013 in the copies read.
- Renewal under s.3-A: five years in the footnoted print, two years in the other copy; check the official text.
- s.5-A is shown as omitted in the footnoted print and as in force in the other.
- A list of General Body members is filed under s.4-B.
- The Registrar cancels under s.12-D; the Court dissolves under s.13-B.
Read next
- Society registration in Uttar Pradesh
- Society registration renewal: state-wise requirements
- Sections 4 and 19 of the 1860 Act: annual list and inspection
- Societies Registration in West Bengal: the 1961 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.