Section 1 – The Societies Registration Act, 1860

Whereas it is expedient the provision should be made for improving the legal condition or societies established for the promotion of literature, science, or the fine arts, or for the diffusion of useful knowledge, ¹[the diffusion of political education], or for charitable purposes;

Comment: Charitable purposes which came within the language and spirit of the statute of Elizabeth (43 Eliz ch 4) could be grouped into four heads, (i) relief of poverty, (ii) education, (iii) advancement of religion and (iv) other purposes beneficial to the community not coming under any of the preceding heads. The words in Act 21/1860 are, therefore, to be understood as including religious purposes also. Hindu Public v. Rajdhani Puja Samithee AIR 1999 SUPREME COURT 964

It is enacted as follows :-

1. Societies formed by memorandum of association and registration

Any seven or more persons associated for any literary, scientific, or charitable purpose, or for any such purpose as is described in section 20 of this Act, may, by subscribing their names to a memorandum of association, and filing the same with Registrar of Joint-stock Companies ²[***] form themselves into a society under this Act.

Amendment

¹Ins. by Act 22 of 1927, Section 2.

²The words and figures “under Act 19 of 1857” repealed by Act 16 of 1874, Section 1 and Sch., Pt. I. See now the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956).