A minimum of two trustees and one settlor are required to register a Trust in India. There is no maximum limit to the number of trustees.

Yes, registration is mandatory to obtain legal recognition, tax exemptions, and to operate transparently for fundraising or charitable work.

While the drafting and preparation can be done online, the actual registration must be completed offline at the local Registrar’s office with physical documents and witness signatures.

All three are non-profit entities, but they differ in structure and compliance:

• Trust: Simple structure, governed by Indian Trusts Act.

• Society: Requires a managing committee and is governed by the Societies Act.

• Section 8 Company: Corporate structure under Companies Act for non-profits.

Yes, a registered Trust is required to maintain books of accounts, file income tax returns, and get audited annually, especially if it seeks tax exemptions like 12A and 80G.