THE SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, 1860
The Societies Registration Act, 1860, Act No. 21 of 1860, dated 21st May, 1860, is a central law for registering literary, scientific and charitable societies. It sets out how such societies are formed and registered, how they hold property, sue or are sued, file annual lists of their managing body, change their purposes, and dissolve. The source text also shows that the Act has been amended in Madras by Madras Act 9 of 1960, and includes separate State amendments for Union territory of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
What this law is about
The Societies Registration Act, 1860, Act No. 21 of 1860, dated 21st May, 1860, is a law for the registration of literary, scientific and charitable societies. The preamble says it was made to improve the legal condition of societies established for the promotion of literature, science, fine arts, the diffusion of useful knowledge, the diffusion of political education, or charitable purposes.
What it covers
The arrangement of sections in The Societies Registration Act, 1860 shows the main subjects covered by the law:
- societies formed by memorandum of association and registration
- memorandum of association
- registration and fees
- annual list of managing body to be filed
- how property of a society is vested
- suits by and against societies
- suits not to abate
- enforcement of judgment against society
- recovery of penalty under bye law
- when members can be sued as strangers
- offences by members punishable as strangers
- how societies may alter, extend or abridge their purposes
- dissolution of societies and adjustment of their affairs
- rule that on dissolution no member is to receive profit
- definitions of member and governing body
- registration of societies formed before the Act
- filing of memorandum and other documents with the Registrar of Joint-stock Companies
- inspection of documents and certified copies
- the societies to which the Act applies
Who it affects
The Societies Registration Act, 1860 affects people who form, manage, join or deal with registered societies that fall within the purposes named in the preamble. It is also relevant to anyone checking a society's legal status, management details, property holding, court proceedings, or dissolution.
Geographic notes and amendments shown in the source
The source text says The Societies Registration Act, 1860 has been declared to be in force in the whole of India, except the Scheduled Districts, and was later extended to various areas. It also says the Act has been amended in several places, including Madras by Madras Act 9 of 1960.
The source text separately includes:
- a Union territory of Ladakh amendment providing for appointment of a Registrar of Societies and Additional Registrars, and substituting the expression Registrar of Societies for Registrar of Joint-Stock Companies in the existing section as renumbered
- an Arunachal Pradesh extension and modification, including substitution of certain terms and additional provisions on registration, refusal of registration, and renewal of certificate of registration
Why a Tamil Nadu reader may care
For a Tamil Nadu reader, The Societies Registration Act, 1860 is the basic law named in the source for how eligible societies are registered and governed at a high level. If you are dealing with land, property, management authority, or legal proceedings involving a society, the subjects listed in this Act are directly relevant.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
What kinds of societies does The Societies Registration Act, 1860 apply to?
The preamble says it applies to societies established for the promotion of literature, science, or the fine arts, for the diffusion of useful knowledge, the diffusion of political education, or for charitable purposes.
Does The Societies Registration Act, 1860 deal with property and court cases involving a society?
Yes. The arrangement of sections includes how property of a society is vested, suits by and against societies, suits not to abate, and enforcement of judgment against society.
Does a registered society have to file details of its management?
Yes. The arrangement of sections includes an annual list of the managing body to be filed.
Can a society change its purposes or be dissolved under this law?
Yes. The arrangement of sections includes provisions enabling societies to alter, extend or abridge their purposes, and provisions for dissolution of societies and adjustment of their affairs.
