In today’s digital world, verifying the authenticity of an NGO is easier than ever before. Whether you are a donor, volunteer, or organization planning to collaborate, it’s important to confirm that the NGO you are dealing with is officially registered and compliant. As of 2025, several government portals in India make it simple to check NGO registration online. This guide explains step-by-step how you can verify the registration details of any NGO and ensure you’re engaging with a legitimate organization.
1. Understand the Type of NGO
Before checking an NGO registration online, you must know what type of registration it holds. In India, NGOs can be registered under different legal frameworks:
Trust: Registered under the Indian Trusts Act or state-specific Trust Acts.
Society: Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Section 8 Company: Registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
Each type of NGO is governed by a different authority, so the verification process will vary depending on its legal structure.
2. Check NGO Registration on NGO Darpan
The first and most widely used portal for NGO verification in India is NGO Darpan, maintained by NITI Aayog. It is a centralized database of all voluntary and non-governmental organizations registered in the country. The portal contains details such as registration number, PAN, contact information, areas of operation, and the departments the NGO works with.
Steps to verify:
Visit the official NGO Darpan website.
Click on “Search NGO/VO.”
Enter the name of the NGO, state, or unique NGO Darpan ID.
Review the results to check the registration details.
If the NGO appears in the search results, it means the organization has a verified listing with NITI Aayog, indicating authenticity and government recognition.
3. Verify Section 8 Company Registration on the MCA Portal
If the NGO is registered as a Section 8 company, you can verify it through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website. Every Section 8 company has a CIN (Corporate Identification Number), which can be searched on the MCA portal.
Steps to check:
Visit the MCA website.
Go to “MCA Services” → “View Company/LLP Master Data.”
Enter the company name or CIN.
Click “Submit” to view the company’s registration information.
You’ll be able to see the company type (Section 8), incorporation date, registration status (Active/Inactive), directors’ details, and registered address. This ensures that the NGO is a legitimate entity under the Companies Act.
4. Check Society Registration via State Registrar Portals
If the NGO is registered as a society, you can verify its registration on the respective State Registrar of Societies portal. Each state in India maintains its own database for societies. Some states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have robust online systems that allow you to search by registration number, name, or district.
Steps to check:
Visit your state’s official Registrar of Societies website.
Look for the “Registered Societies” or “Search NGO” option.
Enter the society’s registration number or name.
Review the registration certificate, date of incorporation, and office details.
If your state does not have an online portal, you can verify by visiting the local registrar’s office.
5. Verify Trust Registration Details
Trusts are registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, or under state-specific public trust acts. States such as Maharashtra and Gujarat have their own Charity Commissioner’s websites where you can search for registered trusts.
Steps to check:
Visit your state’s Charity Commissioner or Public Trusts portal.
Enter the trust name or registration number.
View details such as trust deed, trustees’ names, and registration date.
If online verification is unavailable, ask the NGO to share a scanned copy of the trust deed and registration certificate. You can cross-check the registration number and stamp with the respective state office.
6. Check 12A and 80G Registration (Tax Exemption Status)
To receive donations eligible for tax deductions, an NGO must be registered under Section 12A and Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. These registrations certify that the NGO is eligible to receive tax-exempt donations.
Steps to check:
Visit the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal.
Navigate to the “Exempted Institutions” section.
Search for the NGO by PAN or name.
Review whether it has valid 12A and 80G registration numbers.
If the NGO’s 80G or 12A status is expired or pending renewal, donors cannot claim tax benefits for contributions. Always confirm that the registration is active and renewed as per the latest guidelines.
7. Check FCRA Registration (Foreign Contribution)
If the NGO receives or claims to receive foreign funding, it must be registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) manages the official FCRA portal, which lists all NGOs with valid FCRA licenses.
Steps to verify:
Go to the MHA’s FCRA website.
Click on “Search Registered Associations.”
Enter the NGO’s name, registration number, or district.
Review the status—Active, Cancelled, or Expired.
This verification is crucial if you plan to fund or collaborate with the NGO from outside India.
8. What Details to Look for While Checking NGO Registration
While verifying an NGO’s registration online, make sure to look for the following key details:
Official registration number and certificate date
Status: Active / Registered / Cancelled
Address and jurisdiction (should match the NGO’s website or official letterhead)
Trustees or directors’ names
Tax exemption validity (12A/80G)
FCRA approval status (if applicable)
A genuine NGO will have consistent information across all government databases and its website.
9. Red Flags to Watch Out For
While most NGOs operate transparently, some may present misleading information. Watch out for these warning signs:
NGO name not found on any official portal.
Different registration numbers or addresses across documents.
Expired or cancelled FCRA / 80G registrations.
Refusal to share registration certificates or PAN.
No financial reports or audit statements on their website.
If you encounter any of these, it’s wise to pause your engagement until verification is complete.
10. How to Verify if Online Records Are Incomplete
Sometimes, small or older NGOs may not have their records fully updated online. In such cases:
Request scanned copies of the registration certificate and trust deed.
Contact the Registrar of Societies or Charity Commissioner’s Office directly for confirmation.
Use the PAN number to cross-check on the Income Tax portal.
Visit the NGO’s office or request audited financial reports for transparency.
11. Template for Requesting Verification Documents
Here’s a professional message you can send to an NGO for document verification:
“Dear [NGO Name],
We appreciate the work your organization is doing. As part of our due diligence process, we request copies of the following documents for verification:
NGO registration certificate (Trust/Society/Section 8 Company)
PAN card copy
12A and 80G certificates (if applicable)
Latest audited financial statements.
Kindly share these documents at your earliest convenience.
Regards,
[Your Name]”
This transparent approach ensures professionalism and trust in your collaboration.
12. Best Practices for NGO Verification in 2025
Use only official government portals. Avoid third-party directories that may have outdated data.
Keep screenshots or PDF copies of verification pages as proof.
Cross-verify across portals. An NGO registered on MCA should also appear on NGO Darpan and Income Tax lists.
Ensure timely renewals. Many NGOs need to renew their 12A and FCRA registrations every five years.
Check annual filings. Regular filing indicates active compliance and transparency.
By following these practices, you can be confident that the NGO you’re supporting is genuine and compliant.
Conclusion
Verifying NGO registration online is a vital step before donating, collaborating, or volunteering. With government digital portals like NGO Darpan, MCA, Income Tax e-filing, and FCRA, the process has become simple and transparent in 2025. Whether it’s a trust, society, or Section 8 company, always cross-check the organization’s details, ensure tax exemptions are valid, and confirm compliance status. Taking a few minutes to verify an NGO’s registration online can protect you from fraud and help you support genuine organizations making a real difference in society.
