Vidhi Codex

The Kerala Societies Registration Act, 2025

The Kerala Societies Registration Act, 2025

Civil202545 sections7 chapters

The Kerala Societies Registration Act, 2025, provides a comprehensive legal framework for the formation, management, and regulation of non-profit societies in Kerala. It applies to organizations established for charitable, educational, scientific, cultural, or sporting purposes that do not distribute profits to members. The Act mandates formal registration, requires the maintenance of audited accounts, and ensures transparency through annual general meetings and filing of returns. For the ordinary citizen, this legislation is vital as it provides legal recognition to community groups, clubs, and NGOs, ensuring they operate with accountability, protect public interest, and remain subject to government oversight to prevent misuse of funds.

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Chapter 1 PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title and commencement
  2. 2Definitions

Chapter 2 REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES →

  1. 3Societies to which the Act applies
  2. 4Condition for registration
  3. 5Manner of formation of societies
  4. 6Memorandum of Association
  5. 7Societies not to be registered with undesirable names
  6. 8Registration of societies
  7. 9Validation for existing societies
  8. 10Provided that, in case any society which has not filed return in time, on the date of commencement of this Act, the Government may, by notification, specify a period in which it is to be filed.
  9. 11Amendment of Memorandum of Association
  10. 12Amendment of rules and regulations
  11. 13Vesting of property of society
  12. 14Society to keep a register of members

Chapter 3 GENERAL MEETING AND FILING OF RETURNS →

  1. 15General Meeting
  2. 16Condonation of delay
  3. 17Filing of returns etc. through electronic system
  4. 18Books of Accounts and Audit
  5. 19Balance Sheet and annual list of governing body to be filed with the Registrar

Chapter 4 SUIT AND RELATED MATTERS →

  1. 20Suits by and against societies
  2. 21Suits not to abate
  3. 22Enforcement of judgment against society
  4. 23Recovery of penalty accruing under bye-law
  5. 24Members liable to be sued
  6. 25Members guilty of offences punishable as strangers

Chapter 5 AMALGAMATION AND DISSOLUTION OF SOCIETIES →

  1. 26Procedure for amalgamation of societies
  2. 27Power to call for accounts and inspection of books etc
  3. 28Power to fine any member of the governing body or servant of the society and dismiss him for disobedience
  4. 29Vacancy to be filled up in accordance with the rules and regulations of the society
  5. 30Dissolution of societies and management of their affairs
  6. 31Upon dissolution, no member to receive profit
  7. 32Application to court for dissolution, framing a scheme or appointing new general body etc
  8. 33Inspection of documents

Chapter 6 ENQUIRY AND PROCEDURE OF REGISTRAR →

  1. 34Registrar to maintain a register of societies
  2. 35Enquiry by the Registrar
  3. 36Powers of the Inspector of society
  4. 37Recovery of loss due to the society
  5. 38Cancellation of Registration and dissolution of certain societies
  6. 39Appointment of Administrator

Chapter 7 MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 40Offences and Penalties
  2. 41Provided that this shall not be a bar to initiate any other legal proceedings under any other laws.
  3. 42Cognizance of offences
  4. 43Power to make rules
  5. 44Removal of Difficulties
  6. 45Repeal and saving

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