What are the typical fees for a Section 8 company in India?

The total cost includes government fees, state-specific stamp duty, DSC charges, and professional fees. RegisterKaro charges a flat ₹999 professional fee. Government and stamp duty charges generally add around ₹2,000–₹4,000, while a DSC may cost approximately ₹2,500 per director. Optional registrations, such as 12AB, 80G, and GST, cost extra.

How much does a Section 8 microfinance company cost?

A Section 8 microfinance company follows the standard Section 8 incorporation process but requires additional drafting to cover its microfinance objectives and target beneficiaries. Its total registration cost may therefore be higher. The final amount depends on professional charges, DSC fees, government fees, and applicable state stamp duty.

Do Section 8 company fees differ across states?

Yes. State-specific stamp duty is a major reason for cost differences. Some states provide exemptions or concessional rates for Section 8 companies, while others charge applicable stamp duty on incorporation documents. DSC and professional fees may also affect the final cost.

Can Section 8 company fees change after filing?

Yes, the total cost may increase if the MCA requires resubmission, additional documents, or changes to the incorporation application. Some service providers may also charge separately for revisions or additional services. Accurate documentation helps reduce avoidable delays and extra costs.

Is there any government fee to register a Section 8 company?

Yes, but it is limited. The MCA does not charge an incorporation filing fee for a Section 8 company with authorized share capital up to ₹15 lakh. However, you must still pay the ₹1,000 name reservation fee, applicable stamp duty (if any), and the nominal PAN/TAN processing fee. DIN is allotted without a separate fee through the SPICe+ process for eligible directors.

Is a Section 8 company more expensive to register than a trust or society?

In most cases, a trust generally has the lowest registration cost, while a Section 8 company involves additional expenses for DSCs, MCA filings, and incorporation formalities. However, Section 8 companies usually offer stronger governance, greater credibility, and are often preferred by CSR donors, government agencies, and institutional funders.

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Section 8 Company Registration Fees in India: Cost Breakdown

Joel Dsouza

Updated:Aug 6, 2026

6 min read

The Section 8 Company registration fees in India generally start from ₹14,000 and go till ₹25,000, depending on the state and complexity of the application. The total cost includes MCA filing fees, stamp duty, and professional charges. The exact cost covers government charges, stamp duty, and professional fees for drafting the MOA/AOA and filing with the ROC.

A Section 8 Company is a special type of non-profit organization registered under the Companies Act, 2013, to promote charitable, scientific, religious, environmental, or similar objectives. Unlike traditional companies, a Section 8 Company reinvests its profits toward achieving its charitable objectives rather than distributing them to members. This structure is ideal for NGOs and social enterprises seeking formal recognition, limited liability, and tax benefits.

Key Takeaways

Section 8 Company incorporation fees in India typically range from ₹14,000 to ₹25,000, covering government charges, stamp duty, and professional fees. In stamp-duty-exempt states like Delhi, the total can be as low as ₹4,999.
The MCA charges no incorporation filing fee for a Section 8 Company with authorized capital up to ₹15 lakh. The main government charge is the ₹1,000 name reservation fee, with slab-based fees applying only above ₹15 lakh.
Registering a Section 8 Company for microfinance costs slightly more, as the MOA and AOA need detailed lending objects. However, it avoids the ₹5 crore net-owned-fund requirement that applies to an NBFC-MFI.
Optional registrations, like 12A and 80G, GST, and FCRA, are separate from incorporation and priced individually.

What are the Fees for Registering a Section 8 Company in India?

The total cost to register a Section 8 Company includes government fees as well as professional service charges. The overall cost can vary depending on the complexity of your application and the state of registration.

Below is a breakdown of all fees required to register a Section 8 company:

Type of Fee	Description	Estimated Cost
Government Fees (MCA Fees)	Covers SPICe+ form filing, name reservation, and submission of MoA & AoA.	Nil for authorized capital up to ₹15 lakh
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) & Director Identification Number (DIN)	Mandatory for all directors; includes DSC token and DIN application.	₹2,500 per director
Stamp Duty	Usually exempt from Section 8 Companies, but some states may charge a small fee.	Exempt – ₹100 – ₹2,500
Notary and Other Charges	For notarization, affidavits, document printing, and courier services.	₹200 – ₹1,000
Professional Fees	Charges for consultants, CA/CS support, end-to-end registration assistance, and drafting MoA/AoA.	₹999
PAN & TAN Application	Mandatory after registration via SPICe+ Part B.	₹150 – ₹300
Name Approval via SPICe+ Part A (Optional)	If the name is reserved separately, not using the SPICe+ integrated process.	₹1,000
Incorporation Certificate Copy Fees	If a physical or certified copy is requested from the ROC.	₹100 – ₹500
GST Registration (if applicable)	Required for revenue-generating activities or fundraising.	₹1,000 – ₹2,500 (professional fee)
Bank Account Opening Assistance	Optional professional help or a courier for opening the bank account.	₹500 – ₹1,000
Post-Incorporation Compliance (Optional / First Year)	Includes filing ADT-1, annual returns, and advisory services for the first year.	₹5,000 – ₹10,000

Does a Section 8 Microfinance Company Cost the Same as a Standard One?

If you register a Section 8 Microfinance Company, the government fees remain the same as those for a standard Section 8 Company. However, your overall registration cost may be higher because professionals must draft a more detailed MOA and AOA that clearly cover the company’s microfinance objectives and target beneficiaries.

Even with these additional drafting costs, the Section 8 microfinance company route remains affordable as it does not require the ₹5 crore minimum Net Owned Fund (NOF) prescribed by the RBI. The MCA also does not charge any separate licence fee for undertaking eligible microfinance activities through a Section 8 Company.

Detailed Cost Breakdown to Register a Section 8 Company

Below is a detailed breakdown of the costs of registering a Section 8 Company.

Step 1: Name Availability & Reservation

The first step is to choose and reserve a unique name for your company through the SPICe+ Part A on the MCA portal.

Government Fee: ₹1,000 per application

Step 2: DSC & DIN

Every proposed director of the company must obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to sign e-documents and a Director Identification Number (DIN) from the MCA.

DSC Cost: ₹2,500 per director
DIN Application Fee: Nil (when applied through SPICe+ form for a private Section 8 company.

Step 3: Drafting of MOA, AOA & Legal Documentation

The Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) define your company’s mission, rules, and governance structure.

Government Fee: Nil

Step 4: Filing with the ROC

All prepared documents are filed through the SPICe+ (INC-32) form on the MCA portal, along with the MOA (INC-13), AOA, and required declarations.

Government Filing Fees: ₹500 – ₹8,000 (varies by state and authorized capital)
Stamp Duty: Exempt – ₹2,500 (depending on state

Step 5: License under Section 8

The ROC reviews your incorporation application, charitable objects, and the declarations in Form INC-14 and Form INC-15.

Government Fee: Nil

Step 6: Post-Registration Formalities

After incorporation, apply for:

PAN/TAN: ₹150–₹300
GST Registration: ₹1,000–₹2,500 (professional fee)
12AB & 80G Registration: ₹5,000–₹10,000 (professional assistance)

How Do State-Specific Charges Affect the Incorporation Cost of a Section 8 Company?

Registering a Section 8 Company involves costs that are not the same across all states in India.

The following table provides a comparison of typical registration fees for Section 8 Company in key states, including stamp duty and ROC filing fees.

State	Stamp Duty (Approx.)	ROC / Filing Fees (Approx.)	Total Estimated Cost	Notes
Delhi	₹0	₹2,000	₹2,000	Full stamp duty exemption; very cost-effective
Maharashtra	₹500	₹2,831	₹3,331	ROC fees slightly higher; stamp duty paid via e-bond system
Karnataka	₹0	₹2,000	₹2,000	Full stamp duty exemption; professional fees are higher due to comprehensive services
West Bengal	₹0 – ₹1,000	₹2,000 – ₹2,500	₹2,000 – ₹3,500	Partial stamp duty waiver for Section 8 companies
Tamil Nadu	₹500 – ₹1,500	₹2,000 – ₹2,500	₹2,500 – ₹4,000	Minor variations for document certification and notary charges

Joel Dsouza

Joel Dsouza is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and compliance expert with over 7 years of hands-on experience in company registration, tax structuring, GST, ROC filings, and MCA compliance. As a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Co-Founder at RegisterKaro, he has personally advised more than 1,000 startups and SMEs across India, helping founders navigate incorporation, regulatory frameworks, and financial planning from Day 1. With deep expertise across all three levels of Finance and Portfolio Management, Joel is committed to promoting financial literacy and simplifying India's startup ecosystem through clear, actionable guidance that entrepreneurs can act on immediately.