When you register on NGO Darpan, the portal asks which authority your organisation is registered with, along with the registration number and date. In most States this is simple. In Maharashtra it causes confusion, because both trusts and societies deal with the Charity Commissioner’s office, and many societies hold two registrations. A wrong choice leads to a mismatch with your certificate and a delayed or rejected Darpan ID. This guide explains what to enter.
The rule of thumb
Enter exactly what your registration certificate shows: the authority that issued it, the number as printed, and the date of registration. Darpan cross-checks these against your documents and PAN.
What to choose, by type of organisation
| Your organisation | Registered under | Registering authority to select | Number to enter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public charitable or religious trust in Maharashtra | Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950 | The Charity Commissioner (the Assistant or Deputy Charity Commissioner of your region) | The PTR number, exactly as on the certificate |
| Society in Maharashtra | Societies Registration Act, 1860 | The Registrar of Societies (in Maharashtra, this function sits with the Charity Commissioner’s office) | The society registration number |
| Society that is also registered as a public trust | Both Acts | Choose the registration you are using as the organisation’s primary identity, and keep it consistent with PAN, bank and 12A records | The matching number for that registration |
| Section 8 company | Companies Act, 2013 | The Registrar of Companies | The CIN / registration number |
Not sure what your PTR number means? See PTR full form and number.
Common mistakes
- Using the trust deed’s Sub-Registrar registration as the registering authority. Registering a trust deed under the Registration Act is not registration of the trust; in Maharashtra, the trust’s registration is with the Charity Commissioner.
- Entering the deed date instead of the registration date shown on the certificate.
- Mixing registrations: entering the society’s number with the trust’s date, or vice versa.
- Name mismatch: the organisation name must match the PAN exactly, including words like “Trust”, “Foundation” or “Sanstha”.
- Outdated register: if the Charity Commissioner’s records show old trustees or an old address, update them with a change report first; Darpan details should match. See change reports.
If your Darpan ID is not generated
A mismatch in authority, number, date, name or key persons’ PAN details is the most common reason. Correct the entry to match the certificate and resubmit. See why NGO Darpan IDs are not generated and the full NGO Darpan step-by-step guide.
Frequently asked questions
Our trust is registered in Mumbai. Who is the registering authority?
The Charity Commissioner’s office for the Greater Mumbai region, which registered your trust and issued the PTR number. See which Charity Commissioner office handles Mumbai.
We are a society and also have a PTR number. Which do we enter?
Use one registration consistently across Darpan, PAN, bank and income-tax records. Many dual-registered societies use the Societies Act registration as their primary identity; take advice if your records are inconsistent.
Do we need Darpan at all?
Darpan registration is needed for government grants, CSR-1 in many cases, and FCRA-related processes. See Darpan vs 12A/80G, FCRA and CSR-1.
See also: NGO Darpan registration.
Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This guide describes the NGO Darpan process as understood in October 2026. Portal fields and labels change; follow the current instructions on the portal.