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What is CSR Registration (for Trust / NGO)

 

In today’s social landscape, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a powerful tool for change, where companies are required to spend a portion of their profits on social welfare and development projects. But to receive these CSR funds, your Trust, NGO, or Section 8 company must be registered under CSR provisions as per the Companies Act, 2013. This is where CSR Registration comes in — it allows your organization to be recognized by the government and be eligible to receive funds from corporates for approved CSR projects.

At CallmyCA, we specialize in helping NGOs, Trusts, and charitable organizations get CSR-1 registration fast, accurately, and with complete legal compliance. CSR registration is done by filing Form CSR-1 with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Only after successful approval can your organization be listed in the MCA database as eligible for receiving CSR funds from companies. Without this registration, corporates are not allowed to donate their mandatory CSR funds to your NGO or Trust.

This process requires specific documentation, proper digital signatures, and expert understanding of MCA rules. That’s why our experienced CA team takes care of everything from drafting to final approval — you don’t have to worry about rejections, delays, or technical errors. Whether you're a newly formed trust or an established NGO, CSR registration is now a non-negotiable requirement if you want to legally partner with companies and participate in impactful CSR projects.

4 EASY STEPS OF

CSR Registration (for Trust / NGO)

Share Basic Details & Documents
01

Share Basic Details & Documents

Form CSR-1 Preparation
01

Form CSR-1 Preparation

Digital Signature & Filing on MCA Portal
01

Digital Signature & Filing on MCA Portal

Receive Approval & CSR Listing
01

Receive Approval & CSR Listing

DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

Documents Required for CSR Registration (for Trust / NGO)

CSR Registration (for Trust / NGO)

Top Benefits of Getting CSR Registration for Your NGO or Trust

Become Eligible to Receive CSR Funds

Only registered NGOs and Trusts can receive CSR contributions from companies. Without registration, you're legally not eligible for such funding.

Enhance Credibility with Donors

Being CSR-registered builds trust with donors, companies, and grant agencies. It shows that your NGO meets government compliance standards.

Appear in MCA's Official CSR Directory

Once approved, your NGO gets listed on the official MCA portal, increasing your visibility to companies searching for CSR implementation partners.

Access to Larger Project Opportunities

Many corporate foundations and CSR teams shortlist only registered NGOs for high-value partnerships. Registration opens doors to bigger projects.

Faster Onboarding with Companies

Most companies prefer NGOs that are already CSR-registered to avoid legal risk and paperwork burden.

Smooth Fund Disbursement

CSR-registered entities often experience quicker and smoother fund transfers from corporates due to their verified status.

Avoid Rejection or Delays in Donations

CSR-1 helps prevent rejection of fund requests due to legal non-compliance or lack of formal registration.

One-Time, Lifetime Validity

Once CSR-1 is filed and approved, there's no need for frequent renewals. It’s valid unless there is a structural or objective change.

Expert Assistance End-to-End

CallmyCA handles drafting, DSC affixation, uploading, MCA coordination, and approval tracking, saving you time and effort.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

CSR Registration is the process of getting your NGO, Trust, or Section 8 Company formally approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to be eligible to receive CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds from companies. As per Section 135 of the Companies Act, eligible companies must spend a portion of their profits on social welfare activities. But they can only give funds to organizations that are registered with the government under CSR guidelines by filing Form CSR-1. Without this registration, even willing companies cannot legally transfer their CSR funds to your NGO. It’s a one-time process but extremely crucial for funding eligibility.

Any NGO, Trust, Section 8 Company, or Society that is involved in charitable activities like education, healthcare, rural development, environment, women empowerment, or skill development can apply. The organization must be registered under an Indian law (like Indian Trust Act, Societies Act, or Companies Act) and should have a PAN and at least some operational history. It's also advisable to have 12A and 80G registrations, although not mandatory for CSR-1.

Form CSR-1 is the official application form that must be submitted online to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to get CSR registration. It includes basic details of the NGO, its trustees or directors, activities, and verification. Once this form is filed and approved, the organization is listed on the MCA's official portal and becomes eligible to receive CSR funding from corporates.

No, it's not mandatory to have 12A and 80G registration for filing CSR-1, but it is highly recommended. These registrations show that your NGO is eligible for tax exemption and adds more credibility in the eyes of corporate donors. Many companies prefer donating to NGOs with valid 12A and 80G.

The cost of CSR registration varies depending on the professional service provider. At CallmyCA, we offer affordable, transparent pricing that includes complete filing, document review, DSC handling, and government follow-ups. There are no hidden charges.

The filing process can be completed in 1–2 working days if all documents are ready and DSC is active. After submission, MCA generally takes 7–10 working days to approve the CSR-1 form, although this may vary slightly depending on workload and holidays.

Yes, but it is advisable for NGOs to have some operational background, documents in order, and preferably 12A/80G to improve their chances of selection by corporates. However, legally, there is no minimum age restriction for filing CSR-1.

Once your CSR-1 is approved, your NGO's name appears in the MCA's list of eligible CSR entities, and you can start approaching companies for CSR funding. You’ll also be able to show this registration in grant applications, proposals, and partnership discussions.

No. CSR Registration is a one-time process unless there are changes in your organization’s structure, objectives, or trustees. In that case, an updated form may need to be filed.

At CallmyCA, we provide end-to-end support — from document collection, filling out the CSR-1 form, DSC management, to MCA filing and approval tracking. You don’t need to worry about technical errors or rejections. We handle everything so that you can focus on your mission.