CSR-1 Registration For NGO
Fast ROC Filing of CSR-1 FormWe help NGOs such as Societies, Trusts, and Section 8 Companies to obtain online CSR Registration with the ROC. Filing CSR-1 is necessary to become eligible for receiving CSR grants and to undertake CSR activities. Our experts assist organisations across India with complete compliance and maximum efficiency.
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CSR-1 Registration For NGO
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding is mandatory for eligible companies under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. These companies must allocate 2% of their average net profits towards social welfare initiatives. NGOs, including registered trusts, societies, and Section 8 Companies, can receive these funds to implement CSR projects but must first obtain CSR-1 Registration with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
CSR Obligatory for Companies with
- Net worth of ₹500 crores or more
- Turnover of ₹1000 crores or more
- Net profit of ₹5 crores or more during the immediately preceding FY
From April 1, 2021, all NGOs seeking to undertake CSR activities must register with the ROC by filing the CSR-1 Application. This registration ensures transparency and accountability in CSR fund utilisation. Following are the criteria for companies that are required to fulfil CSR obligations. Companies are required to spend a minimum of 2% of their net profit over the preceding three years as CSR includes those with:
CSR-1 Filing with the ROC
- 100% Online Process
- Expert Consultation
- Eligibility Assessment
- Application Drafting
- Certification by CA/CS/CMA
- ROC Filing of CSR-1 Form
- Tracking Until Final Approval
- Post-Registration Support
₹4999/-*
*Standard Professional Fee, Govt fee & Taxes on actualBenefits of CSR-1 Registration for NGOs
Improved Public Image
The potential donors or contributors rely more on NGOs with credible reputations. CSR-1 registration with the ROC provides official recognition as an approved entity for handling CSR projects
Enhanced Goodwill
CSR-1 registration demonstrates your commitment to transparency and accountability. It is considered an official recognition that serves as a quality mark that distinguishes your NGO from others.
Secured Corporate Funding
CSR grants provide reliable corporate funding, preventing resource shortages. Registered organisations gain access to a steady stream of corporate contributions, as companies prefer CSR-1 Registered ngo.
Transparency in CSR funding
Registration with the ROC creates a transparent framework for CSR fund transfers that satisfies corporate due diligence requirements. This transparency attracts more corporate partners who value accountability towards CSR
Watch: Complete Guide to CSR-1 Registration
The video below explains the complete CSR-1 registration process. Learn eligibility criteria, including for NGOs without 3-year track records, document preparation, and application steps to secure your ROC approval.
Eligibility for CSR-1 Filing with the ROC
Registered NGO Status
The applicant must be a registered entity such as a Section 8 company, trust, society, or an NGO established by the Central or State Government. This registration must be valid and current with the appropriate authority. Registration documents serve as proof of legitimate existence and are carefully scrutinised during the CSR-1 application process.
Experience Requirements
Generally, NGOs should have conducted at least 3 years of permitted social activities to demonstrate operational capability and commitment. Important Exception: NGOs or NPOs without a three-year track record can still file the CSR-1 form if they are established specifically to carry out CSR activities for the company that created such trust, Section 8 company, or other eligible entity. This exception enables newly formed purpose-specific NGOs to participate in CSR initiatives.
Tax Registrations
NGOs must be registered under Section 12A and Section 80G of the Income Tax Act to qualify for CSR-1 registration. These registrations confirm the organization's non-profit status and enable donors to claim tax benefits on their contributions. Tax registration certificates must be valid at the time of CSR-1 application and serve as essential qualifying documents for the process.
Compliance History
The organisation should have a clean compliance record with all applicable laws and regulations governing NGOs in India. This includes timely filing of annual returns, regular audit reports, and adherence to foreign contribution regulations where applicable. A strong compliance history demonstrates the organisation's credibility and readiness to handle CSR funds in accordance with statutory requirements.
Documents for Form CSR-1 Filing Process
Proper documentation is the key to a successful CSR-1 filing with the ROC. The Registrar of Companies will carefully review all documents to confirm eligibility and compliance. Organisations need to make sure all documents are current, properly signed, and submitted correctly to avoid delays or rejection. Here's a full list of the documents needed for CSR-1 registration:
| Basic Documents | Additional Documents |
|---|---|
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These documents establish your organisation's legal existence, governance structure, tax status, and authorisation framework. Our experts meticulously review all documentation before submission to ensure compliance with the latest MCA requirements and minimise the risk of rejection or procedural delays.
Stepwise Process of Online CSR Registration
Step - 1
Documentation
Comprehensive Documentation Documentation is the foundation of successful CSR-1 registration. Proper preparation of all required documents ensures smooth processing and prevents rejection. Our experts help you compile all necessary documentation with meticulous attention to detail.
Step - 2
CSR-1 E-form Preparation
The prescribed CSR-1 form is a digital PDF document available on the MCA website. Our team carefully completes the form and attaches all necessary certificates of your trust/society/Section 8 company. Authorised representatives must digitally sign the e-form.
Step - 3
Professional Certification
A practising Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, or Cost & Management Accountant must certify the CSR-1 form to validate your organisation's eligibility. Our network of professionals ensures proper certification compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Step - 4
Online Submission of Form CSR-1
After proper preparation, signing, and certification, we submit your CSR-1 form on the MCA portal. The Ministry issues a receipt with a unique SRN number to acknowledge your application.
Step - 5
CSR Registration Number Issuance
The ROC thoroughly examines the submitted application. Upon successful verification, your NGO receives a unique CSR Registration Number that authorises you to undertake CSR activities throughout India.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be eligible for receiving CSR funds, an NGO must be registered as a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company and obtain CSR-1 registration with the ROC. Generally, the organisation should have at least 3 years of experience in social activities, though exceptions exist for NGOs established by companies specifically for CSR activities. The organisation must also have valid registrations under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act and maintain good compliance with applicable laws.
Applying for CSR funds involves a multi-step process. First, CSR-1 registration with the ROC must be obtained. Then, identify companies whose CSR focus areas align with your organisation's objectives. Prepare a detailed project proposal highlighting the social impact, implementation methodology, and budget. Submit your proposal to targeted companies along with your CSR-1 registration certificate, 12A and 80G certificates, and organisational profile. Follow up regularly and be prepared to submit your proposal if requested.
Permitted CSR activities under Schedule VII of the Companies Act include education promotion, gender equality initiatives, environmental sustainability projects, rural development, healthcare promotion (including COVID-19-related activities), contributions to the PM Cares Fund, disaster management, measures to benefit armed forces veterans, technology incubators, protection of national heritage, arts and culture, training to promote sports and slum area development.
With complete and eligible documentation, we process your CSR-1 application within the same business day. The ROC typically issues the CSR-1 registration number within 7-10 working days after submission, as the process follows the Straight Through Processing (STP) method. However, if there are any discrepancies or additional verification requirements, the process may take longer.
No, unregistered entities cannot obtain CSR-1 registration. The ROC mandates that only registered trusts, societies, and Section 8 companies can apply for CSR-1 registration. Registration with the appropriate authority (Charity Commissioner for Trusts, Registrar of Societies, and ROC for Section 8 companies) is a prerequisite before applying for CSR-1 registration.
Activities prohibited from being classified as CSR contributions include normal business activities of the company, activities benefiting only employees or their families, activities undertaken outside India (with some exceptions), contributions to political parties, activities that provide marketing benefits to the company's products or services, and activities undertaken to fulfill statutory obligations under any law.
Our professional fee for complete CSR-1 registration assistance is ₹4,999/- as mentioned above. Currently, the government does not charge any separate filing fee for CSR-1 submission to the ROC. However, professional certification by a practising CA/CS/CMA is required, which is included in our package price. There are no annual renewal fees for CSR-1 registration.
NGO Darpan ID is a unique identifier issued to organisations registered on the NGO Darpan Portal maintained by NITI Aayog. While not mandatory for CSR-1 registration, having an NGO Darpan ID provides benefits like access to information about government schemes, the ability to apply for government grants online, and enhanced credibility. If your organisation has an NGO Darpan ID, it needs to be mentioned in the CSR-1 application form.
The CSR-1 application is processed through the straight-through processing (STP) method, which is an automated system that does not require human intervention. After submission, the system automatically verifies the digital signatures, checks the format and validates the required attachments. Upon successful validation, a unique CSR-1 registration number is generated. This automated process ensures faster processing but requires meticulous attention to documentation and form filling.
Yes, in specific cases. While the general requirement is 3 years of experience in social activities, an important exception exists for NGOs established specifically to carry out CSR activities for the company that created them. Such trusts, Section 8 companies, or other eligible entities can file for CSR-1 registration without meeting the three-year track record requirement. This exception enables companies to create dedicated vehicles for their CSR implementation.
If your CSR-1 application is rejected, the ROC provides reasons for rejection through the MCA portal. Common reasons include incomplete documentation, inconsistencies in information provided, or failure to meet eligibility criteria. You can rectify the issues and resubmit the application. There is no cooling period required before resubmission, and no additional fee is charged for reapplication. Professional assistance can significantly reduce rejection risks.
CSR-1 registration is a one-time process and does not require periodic renewal. Once issued, the CSR registration number remains valid permanently unless revoked by the ROC for specific violations or non-compliance. However, organisations must maintain their eligibility status by ensuring continued compliance with all applicable laws, keeping their 12A and 80G registrations active, and fulfilling annual filing requirements.
Yes, an NGO with valid CSR-1 registration can receive CSR funds from multiple companies simultaneously. There is no restriction on the number of corporate donors or the cumulative amount that can be received as CSR grants. However, the NGO must maintain separate project-wise accounting for funds received from different companies and ensure compliance with the specific terms and reporting requirements of each corporate donor.
After receiving CSR funds, NGOs must maintain detailed project-wise accounting records and provide regular progress reports to the donor companies. These reports typically include financial utilisation statements, project milestones achieved, beneficiary details, and impact assessment. Companies are required to disclose details of their CSR activities in their annual Board Report, so NGOs must provide necessary information in the format required by the corporate donors.
You can check the status of your CSR-1 application by visiting the MCA portal and entering the Service Request Number (SRN) received during submission. The portal provides real-time updates on application processing. Alternatively, you can contact the MCA help desk with your SRN. When you work with Setindiabiz, our team proactively monitors your application status and keeps you updated throughout the process until final approval is received.