CSR funding: CSR-1 and Government Portals

Form CSR-1

Applicability

Form CSR 1 refers to the registration form for securing CSR funding. This Form is specified as Registration of Entities for undertaking CSR activities by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

As per Rule 4 of The Companies (CSR Policy) Rules 2014

(a) Every entity who intends to undertake any CSR activity, shall register itself with the Central Government by filing the form CSR-1 electronically with the Registrar, w.e.f. 1st April 2021.

(b) Form CSR-1 shall be signed and shall be verified digitally by a Chartered Accountant in practice or a Company Secretary in practice or a Cost Accountant in practice.

(c) On the submission of Form CSR-1 on the portal, a unique CSR Registration Number shall be generated by the system automatically.

Eligibility Criteria-

The company was established under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 with Section 12A and 80G registrations under the Income Tax Act 1961
A registered society or a registered trust with Section 12A and 80G registrations under the Income Tax Act 1961
The company is established under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 or a Registered Trust or Registered Society established by the Central Government or State Government.
Entity established under an Act of Parliament or State Legislature.

To receive CSR funding, all NGOs are mandated to register with Central Government by submitting Form CSR1. This is required for the effective monitoring of CSR spending in our Country.

What are the benefits of getting registered with MCA?

Secure funding from Corporate with fewer legal hurdles
It enhances the goodwill & public image of NGOs
CSR activities become hassle-free

If you are seeking CSR funding being an NGO, it is mandatory to register with the MCA by filing Form CSR-1 as soon as possible.

The MCA will review the application and may request additional documentation or clarification. If the application is approved, the NGO will receive a CSR-1 registration certificate, which allows them to receive CSR funding from companies.

NGO Darpan

The NGO DARPAN is maintained by NITI Aayog w.e.f. 1st January, 2015. NITI Aayog invites all Voluntary Organizations (VOs)/ Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to Sign Up on the Portal.

This portal enables VOs/NGOs to enroll centrally and thus facilitates creation of a repository of information about VOs/NGOs, Sector/State wise.

The Portal facilitates VOs/NGOs to obtain a system generated Unique ID, as and when signed. The Unique ID is mandatory to apply for grants under various schemes of Ministries/Departments/Governments Bodies.

Source: https://ngodarpan.gov.in/

Who can register on NGO Darpan Portal

NGO Charitable Society

Charitable Trusts Charitable Associations

Section 8 Companies Voluntary Organisations

It is mandatory to get Niti Aayog registration for getting government funding.
It improves the credibility for NGO/Trust/ Society for getting donation from general public also.
The NGO Darpan portal will help NGOs and the government to create stronger collaborations.
An NGO can get the latest information about new programmes and projects through the NGO Darpan portal. It also provides updates on the government’s previous projects.

While filing FCRA Registration and Form -10A in Income Tax Act, it is asked to mention Darpan ID Details.

National CSR Exchange Portal

National CSR Exchange Portal is an initiative by Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India to establish an interactive platform for CSR Stakeholders. The National CSR Exchange Portal shall serve as an e-marketplace hosting PAN India social welfare projects where stakeholders such as Implementing agencies can put up its ongoing projects and companies can select projects for CSR Spending as per their preferences and vice versa.

The Exchange Portal has been developed on the basis of recommendations of High Level Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility 2018.

This Exchange Portal will help Corporates identify suitable Implementing Agencies for successful implementation of their CSR Projects reducing their transaction cost.

Overcoming common challenges or issues like

1) Identification of suitable Implementing Agencies (Ias)

2) Inability to find suitable projects” based on their CSR Policy.

Who can register on the National CSR Exchange portal?
Registered companies and registered implementing agencies can register on the portal.

Who are Registered Implementing Agencies?

Registered Implementing Agencies are those Implementing Agencies which are registered on MCA21 portal and has a valid CSR Registration Number (CRN).

Who are Registered Corporates?

Registered Corporates are those corporates which are registered on MCA21 portal and have a valid Corporate Identification Number (CIN).

Source: https://csrxchange.gov.in/

Benefits of Registration

Register as Corporate

To identify suitable Implementing Agency for your CSR Project