Online CSR-1 Registration For NGO - Fees, Process & Documents required
CSR full form is the Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR Registration with the Ministry of Corporate affairs is important for all the NGO’s irrespective of Trust, Society or Section 8 Company to get CSR funds from corporates. CSR Registration is not only important but also mandatory for NGO who want to act as an implementing agency for CSR activities. The objective behind bringing all the NGO’s under one umbrella is to implement an efficient monitoring system of CSR spending. CSR-1 registration is completely online and can be done only with certification of Practicing CA, CS or CMA. It takes only 2 days to get the CSR registration online & cost only Rs. 2,500/-. Post CSR registration and approval, NGO's can apply for registration on CSR Exchange Portal after 30 days from the date of approval.
What is Form CSR-1?
Form CSR-1 or “eForm CSR-1” is a registration form for getting CSR funding. It is termed as Form for “Registration of Entities for undertaking CSR activities”. Form CSR-1 shall be signed and submitted electronically by the entity.
It should be verified digitally by a practising professional like Chartered Accountant or a Company Secretary, or a Cost Accountant. All entities who are intending to undertake CSR projects have to file this Form on the MCA portal.
Some of the benefits of CSR-1 registration are:
⇒ Enhanced public image
⇒ High authenticity of NGO
⇒ Ease in undertaking CSR activities
⇒ Entitled to receive Grants & Donation from companies
Importance of CSR-1 registration
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has made the CSR-1 form available on its website and made it mandatory for all the social organisations seeking CSR funds or CSR implementing agencies to file it. As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, from April 1, 2021, CSR Funding will be released only to the NGOs that are registered with MCA by filing Form CSR-1.
The provisions of the 2019 Amendment to the Companies Act, 2013 about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) came into force on January 22. As per the new provisions, every entity covered under sub-rule (1) that intends to undertake any CSR activity will have to register itself with the Central Government by filing the form CSR-1 electronically with the Registrar of Companies with effect from April 1, 2021. These sub-rules provisions shall not affect the CSR projects or programmes approved before April 1, 2021.
On the submission of the Form CSR-1 on the MCA portal, a unique CSR Registration Number shall be generated by the system automatically. In this way, a list of all implementing entities is maintained by the MCA, increasing the chances of timely fulfilment of proposed activities. This past performance record of implementing agencies can be referred to by the companies and help them decide their engagement for future CSR activities.
What are the Documents required for filing eForm CSR-1
⇒ 12AB & 80G Registration Order Copy
⇒ PAN Card of the NGO
⇒ Email ID and Mobile Number
⇒ DSC of chairperson & his PAN number
⇒ Details of members of the organisation
⇒ Registration Certificate in case of Section 8 Company
⇒ Trust Deed in case of a registered Trust
⇒ Memorandum in case of a registered Society
Form CSR-1 need to be digitally signed by following persons:
⇒ Any one of the Directors of Section 8 Company
⇒ Any one of trustees of Registered Trust
⇒ By Chairperson/Secretary in case of Registered Society
⇒ Authorized Signatory in case of an entity established under an Act of Parliament or State Legislature
⇒ A Practising Professional like Chartered Accountant in Practice or a Cost Accountant in Practice or Company Secretary in Practice
Types of NGOs eligible for CSR-1 registration
NGOs that are eligible to file Form CSR-1 on MCA Portal for getting CSR Funding are as follows:
⇒ A company established under section 8 of the Act, or a registered public trust or a registered society, registered under section 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, established by the company, either singly or along with any other company.
⇒ A company established under section 8 of the Act or a registered trust or a registered society, established by the Central Government or State Government.
⇒ Any entity established under an Act of Parliament or a State legislature.
⇒ A company established under section 8 of the Act, or a registered public trust or a registered society, registered under section 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and has an established track record of at least three years in undertaking similar activities.
How to file CSR-1 form?
Process of CSR-1 registration:
Documentation Filing on MCA Portal Inspection of the Form Approval Letter from MCA
To register for CSR-1 in India, an NGO needs to follow these steps:
⇒ Register with the Registrar of Companies (ROC).
⇒ Once registered with the ROC, apply for CSR-1 registration with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
Form CSR-1 Filing Fees
The fees of filing eForm CSR-1 is Rs.2,499 Only but the cost may vary depending on the availability of chairperson's valid DSC.
⇒ If the chairperson has valid DSC, then the fee would be Rs.2,499 Only.
⇒ If the chairperson does not have a valid DSC, then it would be ?2,000 (for DSC) + ?2,499 (Filing Fee) = Rs.4,499 Only.
The total time this process would take is around 2-3 working days.