How to Register a Section 8 Company in India

An organization registered as the Non- profit organization (NPO) can be regarded as the section 8 company. The various objectives of section 8 Company are the promotion of arts, commerce, charity, education, protection of the environment, science, social welfare, sports, research, and religion.

One of the crucial points to be noted is that section 8 company shall invest its profits, or any other income received only in promoting its objectives. Further section 8 company functions exactly like a limited company in respect of all the rights and obligations. However, one significant distinction between a company and section 8 Company is that it cannot use the words Section 8 or Limited in its name.

Benefits of section 8 company

1. Tax Benefits- Number of tax exemptions are provided to the section 8 company and to the persons who are contributing in section 8 companies.
2. Separate legal identity- The legal identity of section 8 company is separate from its members thus the liability of members is limited to their share.
3. Stamp Duty Exemption- Section 8 company is exempted from paying the stamp duty on registration.
4. No minimum capital requirement- There is no minimum capital requirement for the formation of section 8 company like a private limited company.
5. Easy process of incorporation- There is no requirement of minimum paid-up capital for forming Section 8 Company.

Minimum Requirements

In order to register a section 8 company, it is required to fulfill the following requirements-

1. At least two shareholders
2. Minimum two directors(Shareholders and directors can be the same)
3. At least one director shall be the Indian resident
4. PAN card number.
5. Identity proof
6. Passport
7. Proof of residence(Electricity/telephone/mobile bill or bank statement)
8. Passport size photograph
9. In case of rented office premise No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner.
10. Copy of rent agreement in case of rented premises.

Process of registering section 8 Company

Step-1 -Collection of the documents

Initially, the applicant is required to collect the above-mentioned documents along with the director's consent in DIR-2.

Step-2-Applying for Digital signature certificate

Further, the applicant is required to apply for the Digital Signature Certificate which is required for filling the various forms electronically in the Ministry of Corporate affairs.

Step-3- Obtaining Director's Identification Number

It is mandatory for every director to obtain the valid Director's Identification Number from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs by filing Form DIR-3, in case the director does not have DIN.

Step-4 Applying for Company name

The next step is one of the most crucial steps as it involves applying for the valid name of the company. While choosing a name an applicant must adhere to various guidelines as specified by MCA. Further, the applicant can give maximum six names in order of preference.

Step-5-Drafting MOA and AOA

As soon as the approval is received the Memorandum of Association and Article of Association shall be drafted. Further, it shall be sent to ROC along with other documents in e-Form INC 13 for the issuance of the license under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. The subscription pages of both MOA and AOA shall be signed by each subscriber of the memorandum.

Memorandum of Association- It is legal document that defines the relationship of the company with its shareholders. It describes the company name physical address of registered office, names of shareholders and the distribution of shares etc.

Article of Association- It is the constitution of the company.It contain all the information regarding who holds the power distribution among directors, officers, shareholders etc, who holds right of vote and veto, the nature and form in which the primary business of the company is to be carried out etc.

Step-6 Application for license under section 8

To incorporate a section 8 company the applicant is required to file an application in form INC 12 along with the prescribed fees to register for obtaining a license. Along with INC-12 following documents shall also be submitted-

1. INC-13 Memorandum of Association. Article of Association
2. INC-15 Declaration by each Subscriber to MOA (On Non- judicial stamp paper of Rs. 100/- and duly notarized).
3. Estimated Statement of Income & Expenditure for Next three years and it should be signed the proposed Promoters.
4. List of proposed Promoters and Directors of the Company.
5. Subscribers page (AOA & MOA) should be hand written by the Subscriber (s), and witness.

Step-7 Certificate of Incorporation

The applicant shall file the incorporation documents in the FORM INC 7(containing the declaration of compliance with the requirements of the Act on application for registration of a company), INC 22(regarding notice of situation of registered office) and DIR 12(for appointment of directors of the company) along with the prescribed fees. In case registrar of the company is satisfied with the contents of the documents that are filed a certificate of registration will be granted in form INC-16.

Also Read: Documents required for Section 8 Company Registration

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.