NGOs already registered under CSR-1 need not re-register

Post the July 2025 Notification by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, several NPOs continue to inquire whether they need to re-register in the new e-form No. CSR-1 despite already having a unique CSR registration number. The answer to this question can be found in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ (MHA) ‘Instruction Kit for e-Form CSR-1 (Registration of Entities for undertaking CSR Activities).

In the Instruction Kit, under 1.2: ‘Important Check Points while filling up the webform,’ MHA has stated: “Please ensure that the CSR registration number has not already been provided against the PAN of the entity entered in the form.”

In other words, if your NGO as CSR implementing agency has already been issued a unique CSR Registration Number, no further filing or re-filing in the new e-form CSR-1 is required. Any attempt to re-register or re-file will result in rejection by the MCA portal.

We hope this clarification by MCA in their ‘Instruction Kit for e-Form CSR-1 will put an end to CSR heads of various companies putting undue pressure on NPOs to furnish fresh CSR-1 registration. We trust CSR consultants and other professionals will also stop causing unnecessary panic.