The Societies Registration Act, 1860
An Act for the Registration of Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies
Administered by. Ministry of Corporate Affairs · Other Acts of 1860
Preamble
THE SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, 1860
ACT NO. 21 OF 18601
[21st May, 1860.] An Act for the Registration of Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies.
Preamble.--WHEREAS it is expedient that provision should be made for improving the legal condition of societies established for the promotion of literature, science, or the fine arts, or for the diffusion of useful knowledge, 2[the diffusion of political education] or for charitable purposes; It is enacted as follows:--
What this Act covers
Summary of the Societies Registration Act, 1860
Purpose: - To improve the legal condition of societies established for literature, science, fine arts, diffusion of useful knowledge, political education, or charitable purposes.
1. Key Provisions Mentioned in the Context: - Registration:
• Societies can register under the Act (Section 17 for those existing before the Act).
• Requires filing a memorandum with the Registrar of Joint-stock Companies (amended in some contexts to "Registrar" or specific state/regional authorities).
• Society Composition and Management:
• No specific composition rules mentioned in the provided snippets for the 1860 Act itself, but amendments and other acts (e.g., Delhi's) require at least 10 members under certain conditions.
• Legal Implications:
• Property vests in the society (Section 5).
• Suits can be brought by and against the society (Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 mentioned but details not provided in the snippet for the 1860 Act).
• Amendments and Extensions:
• Modifications for application in specific regions (e.g., Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi) with changes in terminology (e.g., "Registrar" instead of "Registrar of Joint-stock Companies", "Administrator" or "State Government" instead of "State Government" in some, then back to "State Government" in amendments).
• Renewal of registration certificates (Arunachal Pradesh Amendment).
Sections
Type to filter. 20 sections.
- 1Societies formed by memorandum of association and registration
- 2Memorandum of association
- 3Registration and fees
- 4Annual list of managing body to be filed
- 5Property of society how vested
- 6Suits by and against societies
- 7Suits not to abate
- 8Enforcement of judgment against society
- 9Recovery of penalty accruing under bye-law
- 10Members liable to be sued as strangers
- 11Members guilty of offences punishable as strangers
- 12Societies enabled to alter, extend or abridge their purposes
- 13Provision for dissolution of societies and adjustment of their affairs
- 14Upon a dissolution no member to receive profit. Proviso for Joint-stock Companies
- 15Who is a Member
- 16Governing body defined
- 17Registration of societies formed before Act
- 18Such societies to file memorandum, etc., with Registrar of Joint-stock Companies
- 19Inspection of documents, Certified copies
- 20To what societies the Act shall apply
Related Acts
- The Presidency-Towns Insolvency Act, 1909130 sections
- The Provincial Insolvency Act, 192087 sections
- The Indian Partnership Act, 193274 sections
- The Chartered Accountants Act, 194960 sections
- The Companies (Donations to National Funds) Act, 19514 sections
- The Cost Accountants Act, 195959 sections
- The Preference Shares (Regulation of Dividends) Act, 19608 sections
- The Company Secretaries Act, 198059 sections
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Every one of the 20 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.