Trust Registration Online in India

It is registering a trust deed with the Sub-Registrar under the Registration Act, 1908, which creates a legally recognised trust. Public charitable trusts in some states, such as Maharashtra and Gujarat, must also register with the Charity Commissioner under state public trust laws.

Any adult of sound mind who can legally own and transfer property can be a settlor. Companies and other organisations can also create trusts. The settlor gives the initial property or money and appoints the first trustees.

At least 2 trustees are needed for a public charitable trust; 3 to 7 is common for good governance. There is no legal maximum, but the deed should set the minimum and maximum number.

Yes. The settlor can be one of the trustees, and often is the managing trustee. The deed should say how future trustees are appointed.

There's no legal minimum. Most charitable trusts start with a small cash corpus, such as ₹1,000 to ₹11,000, given by the settlor. Property can also be settled on the trust, which increases stamp duty.

Our professional fee starts at ₹6,999 + GST for drafting and registering the trust deed. Stamp duty and the Sub-Registrar's registration fee are extra and depend on your state and the trust property; for a small cash corpus they're usually a few hundred to a few thousand rupees. Income tax registration and donor approval are included from our Standard plan.

Usually 1 to 3 weeks for the registered deed, depending on Sub-Registrar appointments in your area. PAN, bank account and state filings follow, and income tax registration and donor approval take about 1 to 3 months more.

Yes, once. The settlor and two witnesses (and in some offices, the trustees) must sign before the Sub-Registrar, where photos and biometrics are taken. We prepare everything in advance so the visit is quick.

For a public charitable trust, you should register the deed. Banks, the Income Tax Department, donors and government agencies ask for a registered deed, and trusts involving immovable property must be registered by law.

Not automatically. It needs registration as a non-profit with the Income Tax Department, under Section 332 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (earlier Section 12A/12AB). Then income applied to its charitable purposes is exempt, subject to the conditions.

The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from 1 April 2026. Non-profit registration is now under Section 332 (earlier 12A/12AB) and donor-deduction approval under Section 354 (earlier 80G). Registrations valid on 1 April 2026 continue until they expire.

Irrevocable. A revocable trust, where the settlor can take the property back, doesn't qualify for charitable tax exemption, and its income is taxed in the settlor's hands. We draft the deed as irrevocable.

Yes, after registering with MCA in Form CSR-1. An independent trust generally needs income tax registration, donor-deduction approval and a track record of at least 3 years in similar activities to act as a CSR implementing agency.

Only with FCRA registration or prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Registration generally needs at least 3 years of activity and minimum spending on core work; a new trust can seek prior permission for a specific donor and project.

Trustees generally serve without payment. Reasonable payment for actual work, such as a trustee who works full time for the trust, may be allowed if the deed permits it, but any undue benefit to trustees or the settlor can cost the trust its tax exemption.

Yes, if the deed contains an amendment clause, by executing and registering a supplementary deed. The charitable nature and objects can't be changed in a way that defeats the trust, and changes must be reported to the Income Tax Department and, where applicable, the Charity Commissioner.

A trust is created by a settlor through a deed and run by trustees, often a small founder-led group. A society is formed by at least 7 members (varies by state), registered with the Registrar of Societies and run by an elected governing body. Both can get the same income tax benefits.

Maintain books of accounts and donation receipts, get the accounts audited where required, file the non-profit income tax return every year, file the statement of donations, apply the required share of income to charitable purposes, renew tax registrations on time, and file state returns where your state's public trust law requires them.