Section 8 Companies have become one of the most widely used legal forms of a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) in India, particularly for charities, educational institutions, social welfare organizations, artistic organisations, sports organisations, environmental and research entities, and other charitable organisations. The reason why so many people and groups are opting for Section 8 Companies is that they provide credibility to NPOs, enjoy tax benefits, and foster greater public confidence, compared to other legal entity structures. However, before any person or group decides to set up a Section 8 Company, the major question that is often asked is “What is the cost of incorporating a Section 8 Company in India?”
This article provides a complete breakdown of all costs to register a Section 8 Company, along with a summary of the registration process and the documentation required to register as a Section 8 Company.
Introduction
Registering a Section 8 Company is often seen as a professional and reliable way to run a not-for-profit initiative. Unlike trusts and societies, a Section 8 Company is governed by the Companies Act, 2013 and regulated directly by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). This structure adds accountability and transparency to the operations of the organization.
Although the purpose of a Section 8 Company is not to earn profits, there are certain mandatory legal steps and costs involved in the registration. Understanding these costs in advance can help founders plan better, avoid surprises, and make informed decisions.
Actual Cost of Registering a Section 8 Company in India
The total cost of Section 8 Company registration depends on several factors –
- Government fees
- Stamp duty (varies by state)
- Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs)
- Name reservation fee
- Professional charges
- Additional optional expenses
Below is a detailed explanation of each component.
1. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Cost
- Every Section 8 Company requires DSCs for at least two directors.
- A Class-III DSC is mandatory today.
- The average cost ranges between ₹900 to ₹1,500 per DSC, depending on the vendor and the validity period (usually 2 years).
- For two directors, the total DSC cost generally falls between ₹1,800 to ₹3,000.
2. Name Reservation Fee
- Before incorporation, the proposed name of the company must be approved through the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) or SPICe+ Part A service.
- The MCA fee for name reservation is ₹1,000.
- If the name is rejected and resubmission is required, additional submission charges may apply.
3. Stamp Duty Charges (State-Based)
Stamp duty varies from state to state because it is governed under the respective State Stamp Acts. The duty applies mainly to –
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Association (AOA)
For Section 8 Companies, many states offer concessional stamp duty.
Typically, the stamp duty ranges from ₹500 to ₹2,500 based on the state of incorporation.
This is one of the major variables in the cost structure.
4. Government Filing Fees for SPICe+ Form
One advantage of registering a Section 8 Company is that the MCA does not charge any heavy incorporation fees for such companies. For charitable institutions, the government fees are either significantly reduced or exempted for certain categories of filings.
However, there may still be minor fees depending on the authorised capital and additional services included in the SPICe+ form (such as PAN, TAN, or EPFO/ESIC registrations).
On average, the government fees may range between ₹0 to ₹1,000, depending on variables.
5. Professional Fees (CA/CS/Consultant)
Most applicants take professional help for documentation, drafting, and filing because Section 8 Company registration involves –
- Objective drafting
- MOA/AOA preparation
- Compliance with MCA conditions
- Filing through SPICe+, AGILE-PRO, and other forms
Professional fees depend on the consultant’s expertise and whether post-registration support is included.
On average, professional fees range between ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.
Some firms charge even lower, while reputed firms charge higher due to advisory and compliance support.
6. Additional Expenses (Optional but Common)
Certain expenses are optional but commonly incurred, such as –
- Notarisation charges
- Printing and stamping (if required)
- CSR advisory (optional)
- Post-registration compliance (annual filings)
These may add ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 to the total cost, depending on the specific requirements.
Estimated Total Cost: A Practical Range
Taking into account all the factors, government charges, professional fees, and incidental costs, the realistic cost of registering a Section 8 Company in India is typically –
₹15,000 to ₹30,000 (on average)
The biggest variables affecting this cost are –
- State-wise stamp duty
- Professional fee structure
- Additional certification or advisory support
Some private consultants offer “all-inclusive packages” starting from ₹12,000, while more experienced firms charge ₹30,000 or more due to increased involvement and compliance guidance.
Brief Overview of the Registration Process
To understand the cost better, it helps to know the simplified process.
Here is the step-by-step flow in a descriptive manner –
The process begins with obtaining Digital Signature Certificates for the proposed directors. Once the DSCs are active, the applicant needs to apply for name approval through the SPICe+ Part A form. It is important to choose a unique name that reflects the company’s charitable object.
After the name is approved, the next step is preparing detailed documentation, such as the MOA, AOA, and a declaration explaining the nonprofit nature of the company. These documents are then attached to the SPICe+ form in Part B.
The application, once completed, is submitted along with all necessary attachments and declarations. MCA authorities review the application, and if everything is in order, the Section 8 Company receives its Certificate of Incorporation (COI) along with PAN and TAN.
The entire process may take anywhere from 10 to 25 days, depending on document readiness and MCA processing time.
Conclusion
Setting up a Section 8 company is typically considered a good option to manage a non-profit organisation because of its professional standing and reliability when compared to companies, trusts/and societies. A Section 8 company will be governed under the Companies Act of 2013 & the overall regulatory environment will be managed directly by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The creation of a Section 8 company brings a level of accountability & transparency to the operations of the organisation. Although a Section 8 company is created for a non-profit motive, there are certain legally required processes & associated costs involved in setting it up. By understanding the costs associated with registering the organisation, the founders are better prepared to manage any unexpected costs & act accordingly.
