The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975

What the Act governs

The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 provides a legal framework for registering and administering literary, scientific, religious, charitable and other societies in Tamil Nadu. Its commencement depends on dates appointed by the State Government through notification, and different dates may be appointed for different areas or provisions.

Societies may be registered for purposes including education, literature, science, religion, charity, social reform, art, crafts, cottage industries, athletics, sports, recreation, public health, social service, cultural activities and the spread of useful knowledge.

Registration requirements

The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 contains both compulsory and optional registration provisions. Key requirements and restrictions include:

• A society must have at least seven persons to be registered.
• An association formed to improve the economic condition of workmen cannot be registered under the Act.
• A club where games of chance are played for prizes cannot be registered under the Act.
• A society formed after commencement generally requires registration if it has at least twenty members, or annual gross income or expenditure of at least ten thousand rupees.
• Compulsory registration does not apply under the quoted provision to societies promoting religion, athletics or sports, including indoor games.
• Registration involves filing a memorandum and by-laws with the Registrar and obtaining a registration certificate.

Management and property relevance

The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 regulates registered offices, member registers, committees, accounts, audits, annual general meetings, extraordinary general meetings and meeting minutes. It also covers how society property is vested, how legal proceedings may be brought by or against a society, and how judgments may be enforced.

For property buyers and professionals, the Act's listed provisions concerning society property, investment and use of funds, and registration of mortgages and charges may be relevant when land or a building is owned by a registered society. The Act states that certain mortgages and charges may be void if not registered, and it provides for registration when a mortgage or charge has been satisfied.

Oversight and closure

The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 authorises inspection of books and inquiry into a registered society's affairs. It also addresses cancellation of registration, winding up, dissolution, adjustment of affairs, creditor rights, appeals and removal of defunct societies. On dissolution, no member may receive profit.