Fastest to Register
A registered deed in as little as 7 to 15 working days, generally faster than a society or Section 8 company.
TRUST REGISTRATION
Trust Registration Registration
Get end-to-end assistance to create and register a public charitable trust, from deed drafting around your objects to Sub-Registrar execution and the 12A/80G roadmap that follows.
✓ Settlor + 2 trustees minimum
✓ Bespoke trust deed drafting
✓ Correct state stamp duty guidance
✓ 12A, 80G & CSR-1 roadmap
2+Trustees
NoFixed Min. Capital
7–15Working Days*
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Tell us about your mission and objects, and our team can guide you through the trust registration journey.
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SAMPLE
Trust Registration Certificate
Sub-Registrar / Government Authority — sample trust registration
Illustrative sample. Your official certificate is issued after approval.
01State Trust LawPublic Trusts Act or general trust law
02Sub-RegistrarDeed registered under the Registration Act, 1908
03Settlor + 2 TrusteesMinimum founding group
047–15 Working DaysTypical registration timeline
WHY A TRUST?
The Fastest Route to a Legal Charitable Identity.
A trust is the simplest of the three NGO structures in India, created by a single deed and generally suited to a founder-led charitable initiative funded by individual donors.
Minimal Recurring Filing
Outside Public Trusts Act states, there is generally no annual return to file with a registrar.
Founder-Led Control
The board of trustees is self-perpetuating under the deed, with no general body or elections.
Full Funding Eligibility
A registered public trust can generally apply for 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and, later, FCRA.
Few People Needed
Only a settlor and two trustees are generally required, compared with seven subscribers for a society.
Low Formation Cost
Where the corpus is nominal cash rather than property, stamp duty is generally a modest fixed amount.
OVERVIEW
What Is Trust Registration?
A trust is created when a settlor transfers property to trustees, who hold and apply it for stated objects under a written trust deed. Registration means executing that deed on stamp paper of the correct value before the Sub-Registrar, and, in some states, also with the Charity Commissioner.
The Indian Trusts Act, 1882 governs private trusts; a public charitable trust is instead governed by the applicable state Public Trusts Act, or general trust law where no such Act exists, with the deed registered under the Registration Act, 1908.
Check Eligibility →Governing LawState Trust Law
AuthoritySub-Registrar
InstrumentTrust Deed
Minimum PeopleSettlor + 2 Trustees
Typical Timeline7–15 Working Days
Statutory Minimum CapitalNo prescribed minimum
PUBLIC VS PRIVATE
Public Trust or Private Trust?
The first decision, and the one that determines the governing law, the drafting and the tax consequences that follow.
| Parameter | Public Charitable Trust | Private Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiaries | Public or a section of the public | Named or ascertainable persons |
| Governing law | State Public Trusts Act or general trust law | Indian Trusts Act, 1882 |
| Purpose | Charitable: education, medical relief, poverty relief | Succession, asset protection, maintenance |
| 12A / 80G eligible | Yes | No |
| CSR-1 / FCRA eligible | Yes | No |
| Typical use | NGO, foundation, school, temple trust | Family trust, estate planning |
If you are setting up an NGO, a public charitable trust is generally the relevant structure. A private trust is generally used for family and succession planning instead.
TRUST DEED
What the Trust Deed Should Contain.
The deed is effectively the whole constitution of the trust. A clause left out is often difficult, and sometimes impossible, to add back in later.
✓
Objects Clause
States the charitable purposes with precision; tested again at 12A, 80G and CSR-1.
✓
Trustee Appointment & Removal
How vacancies are filled, so a gap doesn't need court intervention.
✓
Amendment Clause
Whether and how the deed can be varied as the organisation grows.
✓
Accounts & Audit
Books, financial year and audit requirements expected by funders.
✓
Application of Income
Income applied only to the stated objects, a precondition for exemption.
✓
Dissolution Clause
Assets pass to another similar entity, never back to trustees or settlor.
DOCUMENTATION
Documents You May Need.
Names should match across PAN, Aadhaar and the deed. A mismatch is a common reason for delay at the Sub-Registrar.
| Party | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Settlor | PAN, address proof and recent photographs |
| Each trustee | PAN, address proof and recent photographs |
| Trust | Deed on correct-value stamp paper, registered office proof |
| Witnesses | Two witnesses with identity proof, present at execution |
| Where property is settled | Title documents and valuation for stamp duty purposes |
REGISTRATION PROCESS
From Objects to a Registered Deed.
A guided version of the trust registration journey, simplified into clear steps.
01
Decide Type & Objects
Public charitable trust for an NGO; state the objects precisely.
02
Fix Settlor & Trustees
Identify the founding group and decide the initial corpus.
03
Draft the Deed
Objects, trustee powers, amendment and dissolution clauses.
04
Stamp Duty & Paper
Determine duty under the applicable state Stamp Act.
05
Execute at Sub-Registrar
Settlor and witnesses attend; signatures and biometrics captured.
06
Receive Registered Deed
Collect the deed with the registration endorsement.
AFTER REGISTRATION
Registration Is Only the Beginning.
A trust has comparatively light registrar compliance, but a meaningful set of income-tax obligations once 12A and 80G are granted.
→Apply for PANIn the trust's name, using the registered deed.
→File Form 10AFor 12A and 80G, generally soon after PAN is issued.
→Maintain Books & AuditWhere income exceeds the applicable exemption threshold.
→File ITR-7The income-tax return applicable to a registered trust.
→Form 10AB ConversionConvert provisional registration to regular within the applicable window.
COMPARE STRUCTURES
Trust vs Society vs Section 8 Company
| Parameter | Trust | Society | Section 8 Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum people | Settlor + 2 trustees | 7 subscribers | 2 directors + 2 members |
| Registration timeline | 7–15 working days | 15–20 working days | 15–20 working days |
| Separate legal entity | No | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring registrar filing | Minimal / none in most states | Annual list of governing body | AOC-4, MGT-7, DIR-3 KYC |
| Preferred for CSR funding | No | No | Yes |
WHY CORPORATE MART
More Than Registration. A Partner for Your Mission.
We make trust registration easier to understand, easier to manage and easier to continue once your deed is registered.
Drafted, Not Templated
Objects, trustee succession, amendment and dissolution clauses drafted around your organisation rather than copied from a template.
Built for the long runTransparent Process
We break the registration journey into clear stages so you know what is being prepared, filed and expected next.
Clear at every stepFunding-Ready Guidance
Our support extends to the 12A, 80G, NGO Darpan and CSR-1 registrations that make a trust fundable.
Beyond the deedState-Aware Advice
We identify whether a Charity Commissioner filing applies in your state before drafting begins.
Advice you can act on01Document checklist
02Deed drafting
03Registration support
04Post-registration direction
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is trust registration in India?+
It is the process of creating a trust through a written trust deed and registering that deed with the Sub-Registrar, or with the Charity Commissioner in states that have a Public Trusts Act.
Does the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 govern a charitable trust?+
Generally no. The Indian Trusts Act, 1882 governs private trusts. A public charitable trust is generally governed by the applicable state Public Trusts Act, or general trust law where no such Act exists.
What is the difference between a public and a private trust?+
A public charitable trust benefits the public or a section of the public and can generally apply for 12A and 80G. A private trust benefits named or ascertainable persons, typically a family, and does not.
How many trustees are needed to register a trust?+
There is generally no single statutory number; in practice a settlor plus at least two trustees is the common minimum, subject to state practice.
How long does trust registration take?+
Typically 7 to 15 working days for the deed and Sub-Registrar execution. Where a Charity Commissioner filing also applies, that step generally adds further time.
Is there a minimum capital requirement?+
There is no fixed statutory minimum. Stamp duty depends largely on whether the trust is settled with nominal cash or with immovable property.
What happens after the deed is registered?+
The trust generally applies for PAN, then for 12A and 80G, and can pursue NGO Darpan, CSR-1 and, later, FCRA, subject to applicable eligibility conditions.
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