Complete Darpan Registration Document Checklist

NGO-PS Portal (NITI Aayog) registration — mandatory for Government grants, CSR funds, and FCRA. Generated from the same checklist used by the interactive tool below.

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Registration Documents — By Entity Type

Trust

Trust Deed — certified copy, all pages
Registration certificate from Charity Commissioner or state authority under BPT Act / State Trust Act

Society

Certificate of Registration under the Societies Registration Act
Memorandum of Association and Bye-laws — certified copy

Section 8 Company

Certificate of Incorporation from ROC / MCA
Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA)
CIN (Corporate Identification Number) — required for Darpan application form

PAN & Tax Registrations

If You Already Have 12A/80G

PAN card of the organisation
Latest Income Tax Return filed, if applicable
12A / Section 332 registration certificate — copy
80G / Section 354 approval certificate — copy
Important for CSR fund eligibility

If You Don't Have 12A/80G Yet

PAN card of the organisation
Latest Income Tax Return filed, if applicable
12A / 80G is not mandatory for Darpan, but without it the organisation may not qualify for CSR funds or government grants — apply simultaneously or immediately after DarpanPractical Note

Bank Account Details

If You Have an Organisation Bank Account

Cancelled cheque in the name of the organisation
Bank account number and IFSC code of the organisation's bank account
First page of bank passbook or bank statement — as alternative to cancelled cheque

If You Need to Open One

Open a bank account in the organisation's name before completing the Darpan registration — the portal requires bank details to complete the profilePractical Note
Once account is opened: cancelled cheque or passbook first page in the organisation's name

Always Required — Chief Functionary & Activities

Chief Functionary / CEO / Secretary Details
Full name and designation of the Chief Functionary (CEO / Secretary / Managing Trustee)
PAN card of the Chief Functionary
Aadhaar card of the Chief Functionary
Passport-size photograph of the Chief Functionary
Mobile number of the Chief Functionary — for OTP verification during registration
Official email ID of the organisation — login credentials for Darpan portal are sent here
Details of at least 3 office-bearers / trustees — name, designation, PAN, Aadhaar, mobile, address
Darpan portal requires minimum 3 office-bearer records
Organisation Activities & Address
Brief description of the organisation's objectives and nature of activities
To fill the activity/sector fields on the portal
Sectors / areas of work — e.g. Education, Health, Environment, Women Empowerment, Livelihood
Select from the Darpan portal's predefined list
Geographical area of operation — district / state / national level
Annual report or activity report for last 1-3 years, if available
Newly registered organisations may skip this; mention "newly registered" in the portal
Audited financial statements for last 2-3 years, if available
Not strictly required for newly registered entities — mention year of registration
Registered office address with address proof — electricity bill or rent agreement

Frequently Asked Questions — Darpan Registration

Is Darpan registration mandatory for NGOs?

Not mandatory by law for every organisation, but it is practically essential if your NGO wants to receive government grants, apply for FCRA registration, or in many cases even complete 12A/80G registration — Darpan ID is increasingly asked for on those forms. If your NGO has no plans to seek government funding or foreign contributions, you may not need it immediately, but most active NGOs register regardless since it costs nothing and adds credibility.

How long does Darpan registration take to get approved?

Up to 14 days if your documents are complete and in order — that is the outer limit we plan for with clients. In practice it is often faster, but the timeline depends on NITI Aayog's review and whether any clarification is sought, so we prefer to give a safer estimate rather than promise a best-case number.

Can a newly registered NGO apply for Darpan straight away?

Yes — there is no minimum operational history required to register. Even a newly formed Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company can apply, provided the registration certificate and PAN are in place. However, an established activity history helps when you later apply for grants or 12A/80G, so many organisations register on Darpan early but build their activity record over time.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for all governing body members?

Not mandatory for every single governing body member — but as a practice, we collect KYC details (including Aadhaar) for all members in advance regardless, since the portal may ask for specific office-bearers' details and it is far easier to have everyone's documents ready upfront than to chase them individually later.

What is a Darpan ID, and where is it used?

A Darpan ID (or Unique ID) is the identification number issued once your NGO successfully registers on the NGO-PS (Darpan) portal. It is increasingly required when applying for 12A/80G registration (Form 10A/10AB now asks for it), FCRA registration, CSR funding from companies, and various government grant schemes. Think of it as your NGO's recognised identity across government systems.

Does Darpan registration mean I'll automatically get government grants?

No — registration only makes your NGO discoverable and eligible to apply. You still need to approach the relevant ministry or department directly for specific grants or schemes, and approval depends on meeting their individual criteria. Darpan is the gateway, not the grant itself.

What happens if my Darpan application has incorrect or mismatched details?

Applications with inconsistent details (e.g. name mismatches between PAN, registration certificate, and the Darpan form) typically get flagged for clarification, delaying approval. This is one of the most common — and most avoidable — causes of delay, so cross-check every document's name and details before submitting.

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