Overview of NGO CSR-1 Filing

Form CSR-1 refers to the registration form for securing CSR funding. This Form is specified as Registration of Entities for undertaking CSR activities by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It is also mandatory for Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to register to undertake CSR activities funded by Companies and Corporations. To receive CSR funding, all NGOs are mandated to register with Central Government by submitting Form CSR-1. This is required for effective monitoring of CSR spending in our Country.

The laws associated with filing Form CSR-1 is Section 135 of the Companies Act, which talks about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014.

Benefits of CSR-1

The benefit of CSR-1 is as follows:

• It improves the public image of NGOs.
• CSR activities become hassle-free.
• It enhances the goodwill of NGOs.
• Secure funding from Corporate with fewer legal hurdles.

Eligibility Criteria for NGO for CSR-1 filing

Eligibility criteria for an NGO in order to CSR-1 Filing are as follows:

• An NGO established under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 or a registered under Section 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961
• An NGO established under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 or a registered society or a registered trust, working under Central Government or State Government.
• Any NGO established under an Act of a State legislature or Parliament.
• An NGO, established under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013, or Society or Trust registered under Section 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961, and has experience of at least three years in undertaking charitable activities.

Contents of Form CSR-1

The contents to be provided in the Form CSR-1 are as follows:

• Nature of NGO (entity)
• CIN Number or Registration Number
• Sate of establishment or incorporation
• Address and email ID of the NGO
• PAN of NGO
• Details of members, secretary, trustees, etc. of NGO
• Certification by a practising professional

Important points related to NGO CSR-1 Filing

A few important points with respect to Form CSR1 filing are as follows:

• Practising professionals must obtain an engagement letter for the certification of Form CSR1 from an NGO
• Documents must be verified from original/certified records maintained by NGO before putting/attaching a signature to the Form CSR-1
• Must ensure that records are properly prepared, in order and signed by authorised persons of NGO
• All required Documents and information are completely and properly attached to Form CSR-1
• The Practicing professional is liable for action under Section 448 of the Companies Act, 2013 for any wrong certification

Documents required for NGO CSR-1 Filing

Documents required for filing of Form CSR-1 are as follows:

• PAN Card of NGO
• Mail ID and mobile number
• Details of members serving NGO
• Registration certificate
• 12A and 80G order copy
• NGO Darpan ID
• Signature of an authorised person with his PAN Card
• Trust Deed (in case of a Trust)
• Memorandum for a registered society
• Company CSR Policy
• Company CSR report
• Company sustainability report
• Details of subsidiary
• Details of other entity
• Signature of any one of the trustees serving registered Trust
• Signature of secretary/ chairperson of registered Society
• Signature of Director serving Company under Section 8
• Signature of authorised signatory in case of a company functioning under the ambit of State Legislature or Act of Parliament
• Signature of Practising professional like CA, CMA or CS