Section 8 Company is named Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, which pertains to a established ‘for promoting commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of environment or any such other object’, provided the profits, if any, or other income is applied for promoting only the objects of the company and no dividend is paid to its members. Therefore, Section 8 Company or Section 25 Company is a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 for charitable or not-for-profit purposes.

A Section 8 Company is similar to a Trust or Society; expect a section 8 Company is registered under the Central Government’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Trusts and Societies are registered under State Government regulations. A section 8 company has various advantages when compared to Trust or Society like improved recognition and better legal standing. Section 8 company also has higher credibility amongst donors, Government departments and other stakeholders.

As per Section 8(1a, 1b, 1c) of the new Companies Act, 2013, a Section 8 company can be established for “promotion of commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of environment or any such other object”, provided it “intends to apply its profits, if any, or other income in promoting its objects” and “intends to prohibit the payment of any dividend to its members.”.

To register a section 8 company in India, the process is similar to the incorporation of other companies (except an additional license is required). The applicant looking to start a section 8 company is required to file Form INC-1 for name availability. Once the name is approved, there is a further requirement of obtaining a license for a Section 8 Company, for which Form RD-1 is to be filed in order to obtain a license for such company. After obtaining license number, applicant can proceed further to incorporate a company by filing e forms INC-7, INC-22 and DIR-12 or e-forms INC-7 and DIR-12 as the case may be.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR SECTION 8 COMPANY REGISTRATION

1. Digital Signature Certificate (if you already have it)
2. Director Identification Number (if you already have it)
3. Memorandum of Association
4. Articles of Association
5. ID proof for members: (Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID)
6. Passport size Photographs
7. Director‟s details (if Members are other Companies/LLPs)
8. Address Proof