NGO Darpan registration is the sign-up of a voluntary organisation on the NITI Aayog portal at ngodarpan.gov.in, which issues a Unique ID to the organisation. The portal acts as a national database of non-profits and is widely used by ministries, departments and funders to identify who they are dealing with. It is not a legal registration of an NGO, and it does not replace the trust, society or Section 8 company registration.
What is NGO Darpan?
NGO Darpan is an online platform maintained by NITI Aayog where voluntary organisations, trusts, societies and Section 8 companies can register and receive a Unique ID. Ministries and departments of the Government of India use the platform to see which organisations exist, where they work and what they do. A funder or a government scheme may ask for your Darpan ID when you apply for a grant.
It is important to be clear about what the portal is not. NGO Darpan does not create an NGO and does not confer legal status. You must first be registered as a trust, a society or a Section 8 company. The portal also does not give tax exemption: for that, you need registration and approval under the Income-tax Act; see 12A and 80G registration. And it is separate from FCRA registration if you want to receive foreign contribution; see FCRA registration.
A note on naming. When we opened ngodarpan.gov.in for this page, the site loaded as a single-page application with a title that reads NPODARPAN, which suggests the platform may be moving to the name NPO Darpan. We could not extract the page text or confirm a formal rename, so we use both names here. In recent coverage of the FCRA 2.0 portal, linkage with NGO Darpan has been described as one of its features, which makes keeping your Darpan profile accurate more important than before.
Who should register on NGO Darpan?
Any non-profit that expects to deal with the government or institutional funders should consider getting a Darpan ID. In particular:
- Registered trusts, societies and Section 8 companies that apply for central or state government grants.
- NGOs that apply under government schemes that ask for the Unique ID on the application.
- Organisations that want to be visible to funders and partners on a government database.
- NGOs that are applying or preparing to apply for FCRA registration, because the new FCRA portal is described as linking to NGO Darpan.
- Organisations that wish to keep their government-facing profile consistent with their registration records.
Benefits of NGO Darpan Registration
A single Unique ID
The Unique ID helps government departments identify your organisation without relying on names, which can be duplicated.
Eligibility for scheme applications
Many schemes and calls for proposals ask for the Darpan ID, so having it avoids delay.
Public profile
Your organisation's details, areas of work and office-bearers are recorded, which builds credibility with funders.
No fee
The sign-up does not carry a government fee, so the cost is mostly the time to prepare documents.
Links with other systems
The portal is described as being linked to the FCRA 2.0 portal, so consistency of details helps later applications.
Eligibility and what the portal expects
We could not fetch the portal's own sign-up instructions, which load as a single-page application. The points below reflect common practice and should be checked on the portal at the time of filing.
- The organisation should already be registered as a trust, society or Section 8 company, and should have a registration number or certificate.
- It should have its own PAN, as the organisation's PAN is typically asked for in the profile.
- A small number of office-bearers or key members, commonly at least three, are asked to be listed with their identity details; confirm the exact requirement on the portal.
- A valid mobile number and email ID, since the portal sends OTPs for verification.
- The details you enter should match the registration documents, because mismatches are a common reason for query or rejection.
Documents required
Organisation documents
- Registration certificate of the trust, society or Section 8 company
- PAN of the organisation
- Trust deed, memorandum of society and bye-laws, or MoA and AoA of the Section 8 company
- 12A and 80G approval documents, if available
- FCRA registration details, if the organisation has them
Office-bearer documents
- Names, designations, PAN and Aadhaar details of the office-bearers or key functionaries, as the portal asks
- Mobile numbers and email IDs for verification
- Address proof of the registered office
Programme and finance details
- Areas of work, sectors and districts where the organisation operates
- Details of projects and funding sources, where the portal asks for them
- Latest audited financial statements, where asked
Step-by-step process
The exact screens may change, especially if the platform has moved to the NPO Darpan name. The general flow is below.
Get the legal registration and PAN in place
Make sure the organisation is registered and has a PAN, since these are the base of the profile. See NGO registration if you are not yet registered.
Collect the documents
Keep scanned copies of the certificate, PAN, deed or MoA, and the office-bearers' details ready, so you do not have to stop midway.
Open the portal and sign up
Go to ngodarpan.gov.in, start the registration for your organisation and complete mobile and email verification by OTP.
Fill in the organisation profile
Enter the name, legal type, registration number, address, areas of work and bank details as asked. Match each entry to your documents.
Add office-bearer details
Add the office-bearers with their identity details and verify them as the portal requires.
Upload documents and submit
Upload the files in the formats the portal accepts and submit the application.
Receive and record the Unique ID
On completion, you receive the Unique ID. Record it and keep the login details safe, since it is asked in grant applications.
Keep the profile updated
Update the profile when office-bearers, address or registrations change, and use it consistently with your other registrations.
Government fees
NGO Darpan is a free government platform, and we found no fee for the Unique ID. The cost is mainly the time to prepare accurate information.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| NGO Darpan Unique ID | No government fee | Free self-registration on the NITI Aayog portal; confirm on the portal at the time of filing |
Professional charges are quoted separately after reviewing your case. Government fees are paid directly to the authority.
How long does it take?
We found no published timeline. In practice, the time depends on how complete your documents are and how the portal verifies the details. Mismatches between the profile and the registration documents cause delay. We do not promise a particular turnaround.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Preparing documents and details | Depends on your records |
| Portal submission and verification | Depends on the portal |
Validity and updates
The Unique ID is not usually tied to a renewal fee, but the profile has to stay accurate. Update it when office-bearers, address or registration details change. Out-of-date profiles can lead to queries when you apply for a grant or other registration, and details on the portal should match your income-tax and FCRA records.
What to do after getting the ID
- Quote the Unique ID in grant applications and correspondence where the scheme asks for it.
- Update the office-bearers' list and address on the portal whenever they change.
- Keep your 12A and 80G approvals current; see 12A and 80G registration.
- If you receive foreign contribution, keep FCRA details consistent with the Darpan profile; see FCRA registration.
- If your NGO is a Section 8 company, keep the ROC filings up to date; see ROC annual filing.
- Keep audited accounts and annual reports ready, since funders often ask for them alongside the ID.
Common mistakes
Treating Darpan as a legal registration
It is a portal profile. Without a trust, society or Section 8 registration, you cannot proceed meaningfully.
Mismatched names and numbers
A name that differs from the registration certificate, or a wrong registration number, causes queries.
Using an old or unreachable mobile number
OTP verification depends on it. Use a number controlled by the organisation, not a former member.
Not updating after changes
A new office-bearer or address that is not updated can delay a grant.
Assuming Darpan gives tax exemption or FCRA approval
Neither follows from the Darpan ID. Those come from separate applications.
Ignoring the rename
If the portal now shows NPO Darpan, search for both names so you reach the correct login page.
Penalties for non-compliance
We found no statutory penalty for not having an NGO Darpan ID. The practical consequence is that you may be unable to apply for schemes or grants that ask for it. Penalties, if any, arise under the laws that govern your legal form, your tax status or your FCRA registration.
Practitioner tips
- Have the registration certificate and PAN scanned clearly before you start. The portal sessions can time out and you may have to re-enter data.
- Use one controlled email and phone number for the organisation so verification does not depend on an individual who may leave.
- Before applying to a scheme, check the scheme's call for proposals to see whether it asks for a Darpan ID, not just a registration certificate.
- Compare the Darpan profile with your 12A and FCRA records once a year to catch mismatches early.
How Lawgical Guru helps
Readiness check
We review your registration, PAN and office-bearer details to see whether they are consistent before you submit.
Portal profile preparation
We prepare the organisation profile and office-bearer information from your documents.
Submission support
We support the sign-up and responses to any query on the portal.
Linking with your other registrations
We help align Darpan details with your 12A, 80G and FCRA records.
Ongoing updates
We help you update the profile when office-bearers or addresses change.
NGO Darpan Registration: frequently asked questions
What is NGO Darpan?
NGO Darpan is a NITI Aayog platform where non-profits such as trusts, societies and Section 8 companies register and receive a Unique ID. Government ministries and funders use it as a database of voluntary organisations. It does not create an NGO or give legal status.
Is NGO Darpan registration mandatory?
It is not a general legal requirement, but many government schemes and funders ask for the Darpan Unique ID when you apply. Check each call for proposals. Without it, you may be unable to apply for certain grants.
Is there a fee for NGO Darpan registration?
No government fee has been recorded for the Unique ID. It is a free self-registration on the NITI Aayog portal. Confirm on the portal at the time you apply, and beware of anyone who charges a government fee for it.
What is the difference between NGO Darpan and NPO Darpan?
The live portal's page title reads NPODARPAN, which suggests a rebrand to NPO Darpan, but we could not confirm a formal rename. The platform and the Unique ID are the same in either case. Search for both names if you cannot find the login.
What documents are needed for NGO Darpan?
Commonly the registration certificate, the organisation's PAN, the trust deed or MoA, office-bearers' identity details and contact numbers, and details of 12A, 80G and FCRA if available. Check the portal for the exact list at the time of filing.
Does NGO Darpan give 12A, 80G or FCRA?
No. Those come from separate applications: income-tax registration and approval for tax exemption and donation benefits, and FCRA registration from the Ministry of Home Affairs for foreign contribution. The Darpan ID is only a portal identity.
Can any organisation get an NGO Darpan ID?
The portal is meant for registered voluntary organisations such as trusts, societies and Section 8 companies. An unregistered group should first register under a suitable legal form. See our NGO registration page for the options.
How do I update my NGO Darpan details?
Log in with your credentials and edit the profile, including office-bearers and address, then submit the changes as the portal requires. Keep the details consistent with your registration documents and your income-tax and FCRA records.
Is NGO Darpan linked with FCRA?
Coverage of the FCRA 2.0 portal launched on 30 June 2026 describes links to PAN and NGO Darpan. Keeping your Darpan profile accurate therefore helps with FCRA applications and returns. Confirm the current links on the FCRA portal.
Do I need to renew the NGO Darpan ID?
We found no renewal requirement or fee for the Unique ID. You should keep the profile updated when details change. If you lose login access, contact the portal helpdesk and keep your registration documents ready.
Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate
8+ years of industry experience. This page was last reviewed on 16 October 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official portal before you apply.