In February 2026, Priya Malhotra from Bengaluru donated ₹50,000 to an organisation claiming cyclone relief work in Odisha—only to discover the 'NGO' had no legal registration, no tax exemptions, and the bank account belonged to a single individual running multiple fake charity websites.
Citizen Crisis Response Network advisory: Donation fraud through unregistered or fraudulent “charities” remains widespread in India. Verification of NGO Darpan ID, Income Tax exemptions (80G/12A), and FCRA status—each taking under three minutes—remains the most effective consumer protection against charity fraud. Report suspected fake NGOs to cybercrime.gov.in and your jurisdictional Economic Offences Wing immediately.
To verify an NGO in India in 2026: 1. Search NGO Darpan (ngodarpan.gov.in) for unique ID and registration certificate; 2. Check 80G/12A status on incometaxindia.gov.in using PAN; 3. Verify FCRA registration at fcraonline.nic.in if accepting foreign funds; 4. Cross-check registered address with MCA or state charity commissioner databases; 5. Confirm bank account name matches registered entity; 6. Request audited financials, which registered 12A/12AB entities are expected to maintain under the Income Tax Act 1961; 7. File RTI under Section 6 of RTI Act 2005 to the registering authority for registration documents if website data conflicts with official records.
India hosts several million registered non-profit entities—Societies, Trusts and Section 8 companies—but a large number operate without valid current legal status or tax registration. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (in force from 1 July 2024) covers cheating under Section 318 and cheating by personation under Section 319, making donation fraud under a fake NGO identity a punishable offence.
Donors are entitled to ask charitable organisations for proof of registration and details of fund utilisation before donating; the public databases described below exist precisely so that this verification can be done independently. NGOs receiving foreign contributions and government grants are subject to disclosure and audited-filing obligations under the FCRA and NGO Darpan frameworks respectively.
Warning — WhatsApp forwards showing sick children or disaster images with GPay/PhonePe numbers are among the most common donation fraud vectors. Never transfer money to a personal UPI ID or savings account on the strength of an emotional forward; verify the organisation first.
For detailed guidance on recovering funds from confirmed WhatsApp charity scams, see our Fake NGO Donation WhatsApp Fraud article. This guide focuses on pre-donation verification—the four-minute drill that stops fraud before it happens.
Indian NGOs operate under a complex multi-authority registration system. Legitimate organisations maintain four distinct verification points:
Layer 1: Legal entity registration Every NGO must register under one of three structures—Society (Societies Registration Act 1860 / state equivalents), Trust (Indian Trusts Act 1882 / state Public Trusts Acts), or Section 8 Company (Companies Act 2013). This creates the legal person. Verify through state charity commissioner / Registrar of Societies or the Ministry of Corporate Affairs database.
Layer 2: NGO Darpan unique ID Issued by NITI Aayog, mandatory for receiving government grants. Search at ngodarpan.gov.in. The unique ID profile provides registration date, state, legal status, and FCRA approval if applicable.
Layer 3: Income Tax exemptions Section 12A (now 12AB) registration (Income Tax Act 1961) grants tax-exempt status to the NGO itself. Section 80G allows donors to claim deductions. Both require separate applications to the Income Tax Department. Many entities have a basic legal registration and Darpan ID but no 80G—so always verify 80G separately.
Layer 4: FCRA registration Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 registration is mandatory for receiving foreign funds. Registrations and renewals have become considerably more stringent following the FCRA (Amendment) Act 2020, so a current, active FCRA registration must be checked at fcraonline.nic.in.
Most citizens miss this — An NGO Darpan ID does NOT automatically mean 80G eligibility. These are separate systems. Always verify both if you want tax deduction on your donation.
NGO Darpan (https://ngodarpan.gov.in) is maintained by NITI Aayog. It lists registered non-profit entities, but a listing only confirms that the entity registered on the portal—not that it is currently active, compliant, or genuine. Always read the profile detail, not just the presence of a listing.
Search process:
1. Visit ngodarpan.gov.in and navigate to “Search NGO” (no login required) 2. Enter NGO name, unique ID, or state/district filters 3. Results show registration number, type (Society/Trust/Section 8), registration date, FCRA status, and last update 4. Click the unique ID to view full profile: registered address, key members, sectors of operation, PAN, audited reports (if uploaded), and government grants received
Critical verification points:
Do this immediately — Screenshot the NGO Darpan profile page showing registration details before donating. If the organisation later denies its Darpan ID or claims “system error,” you have proof of their own listed credentials.
The NGO Darpan certificate (downloadable PDF from the profile page) carries a QR code. Scan it with any QR reader; it should redirect to the live ngodarpan.gov.in profile. Fake certificates often use QR codes linking to the NGO's own website instead.
Section 12A (now 12AB) of the Income Tax Act 1961 grants tax exemption to the NGO's income (donations received). Section 80G grants tax deduction to donors (individuals/corporates). Both require registration with the Principal Commissioner / Commissioner of Income Tax.
Verification method (official portal):
1. Visit https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/ 2. Navigate to “Exempted Institutions” under Services tab 3. Search by PAN (preferred) or organisation name 4. Results display:
Following the Finance Act 2020 (provisions effective from 1 April 2021), perpetual 12A/80G registrations were replaced by time-bound registration: new entities first obtain provisional registration under Section 12AB, and registrations must be renewed periodically (a five-year validity cycle for regular registrations). Check the “Valid From” and “Valid To” dates carefully.
Trust signal — Legitimate NGOs publish their 80G certificate number prominently on donation pages and receipts. If an organisation claims 80G status but provides no certificate number for you to verify, that's a critical red flag.
What the certificate shows:
80G certificates specify whether donations qualify for 50% or 100% deduction, and whether they are subject to a qualifying limit. The certificate carries an approval order number and a “valid from / valid to” period—match the PAN and the order number against the entry on the Income Tax exempted-institutions portal.
Cross-reference the PAN on the 80G certificate with the PAN listed in NGO Darpan. Mismatches indicate either data entry errors or separate entities—request clarification before donating.
Registered NGOs are required under the Income Tax Act to get their accounts audited (where income exceeds the threshold under Section 12A(1)(b)) and to comply with the conditions of their registration. Persistent non-compliance is a ground for cancellation of registration under Section 12AB.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010, as amended in 2020, restricts foreign fund receipt to NGOs with FCRA registration or prior permission. A significant number of FCRA certificates have been cancelled or have lapsed for non-compliance in recent years, making verification essential.
Check process:
1. Visit https://fcraonline.nic.in/fc_online.aspx (Ministry of Home Affairs) 2. Click “Search Registered Associations” (no login needed) 3. Search by name, FCRA registration number, or state 4. Result displays:
Critical rule change (2020): Under the amended Section 17(1) of the FCRA, all foreign contributions must be received into a designated “FCRA Account” opened at the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch. Separately, the FCRA (Amendment) Act 2020 reduced the cap on administrative expenses that may be met out of foreign contribution from 50% to 20%.
If an NGO soliciting international donations provides a private bank account or an account outside the designated SBI New Delhi FCRA Account, it is acting in contravention of Section 17 of the FCRA—reportable to the FCRA wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Citizen tip — Before donating to an NGO claiming to work with international partners or displaying foreign logos, verify FCRA status. Accepting foreign contribution without FCRA registration or prior permission is an offence under Section 35 of the FCRA, punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years, or fine, or both.
The FCRA portal also publishes annual returns showing foreign funds received, donor countries, and utilisation. An NGO claiming major international funding but showing no corresponding foreign-contribution receipts in its filed returns is misrepresenting its status.
Every NGO begins with entity registration under state or central law. This creates the legal personality—but does NOT automatically confer tax benefits or government grant eligibility.
Societies: Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 or state equivalents (e.g., the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act 1950, the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 1975). Application to the District Registrar of Societies. The registration certificate includes the society number, registration date, and list of governing body members.
Verify societies through:
Trusts: Registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1882 (private trusts) or state Public Trusts Acts (charitable/public trusts). The trust deed (the legal document creating the trust) is registered with the Sub-Registrar of Assurances under the Registration Act 1908. In states with a Charity Commissioner (such as Maharashtra and Gujarat), public trusts are also registered with that office.
Public access varies by state. Some states publish searchable databases; others require an RTI application for verification.
Section 8 Companies: Registered with the Registrar of Companies (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for non-profit objects. The licence is issued after MCA approval.
Verify at https://www.mca.gov.in (Master Data / company search) by CIN (Company Identification Number; the “NPL” category code denotes a not-for-profit company). The MCA portal shows directors, registered office, annual filings (Form AOC-4, Form MGT-7), and active/strike-off status.
Warning — Many Section 8 companies have been struck off the register for non-filing of returns, yet some continue soliciting donations using old registration certificates. Always check the MCA “Active/Strike-off” status, not just the certificate date.
Immediate red flags (do not donate):
1. Individual account: Donations directed to a personal savings account, not a current account in the NGO's name 2. No registration proof: Refusal to share NGO Darpan ID, registration number, or PAN 3. Pressure tactics: “Donate now, child will die by evening” urgency appeals 4. Unverifiable impact: No audited reports, no geotagged project photos, no beneficiary testimonials 5. Recent registration: Entity less than 12 months old soliciting large sums (₹50,000+) 6. Website domain mismatch: Certificate shows “ABC Foundation,” website is abcfoundation-india.org (hyphenated look-alike domains often indicate clones) 7. Address anomaly: Registered address is a residential flat / virtual office / mail-forwarding service
Trust signals (positive indicators):
1. Multi-year Darpan history: Profile updated annually over several years 2. 80G certificate with PAN: Searchable and valid on incometaxindia.gov.in 3. Published financials: Audited balance sheet, income & expenditure, annual report on website 4. Transparency: Board members named with public identities 5. FCRA compliance: If claiming foreign funding, active FCRA number with recent annual return 6. GuideStar India / Credibility Alliance accreditation: Third-party certification (not government-mandated, but indicates voluntary transparency) 7. Response to queries: Timely, substantive replies to donor questions on fund utilisation
Most citizens miss this — A professionally designed website with emotional imagery does NOT equal legitimacy. Fraudulent operations routinely invest in slick web design and online ads while operating without any valid legal registration.
The Consumer Protection Act 2019 can apply to misleading donation solicitation where material facts (registration status, fund use) are concealed. Complaints may be filed with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under Section 34.
If an NGO soliciting donations refuses to provide its registration number, PAN, 80G certificate, or NGO Darpan ID, you have multiple escalation options:
Step 1: Written demand (email/WhatsApp)
Send a clear written request: “Please share your NGO Darpan unique ID, Income Tax PAN, and 80G certificate number for verification before I donate. This is standard due diligence and does not reflect on your integrity.”
Legitimate organisations respond promptly. Defensive responses (“Don't you trust us?”, “Other donors don't ask these questions”) are red flags.
Step 2: Report to authorities
Step 3: RTI application
File an RTI under Section 6 of the RTI Act 2005 to the relevant registering authority:
Response deadline: 30 days under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act 2005. The application fee is ₹10 for the Central Government (state fees vary). Use our RTI drafter tool to generate precise applications.
Do this immediately — If you have already donated and now suspect fraud, file an FIR as soon as possible under BNS Section 318 (cheating) / Section 319 (cheating by personation). Reporting fast significantly improves the chances of freezing the recipient bank account.
For the recovery process, see our Fake NGO Donation WhatsApp Fraud article covering chargebacks, FIR filing, and National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal procedures.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (in force from 1 July 2024) replaced the Indian Penal Code. The following provisions are relevant to donation fraud.
Primary offences:
Section 318 (Cheating): Whoever deceives a person and thereby dishonestly induces them to deliver property commits cheating. Where the offence involves inducing delivery of property, it is punishable under Section 318(4) with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and fine. Applicable when a fake NGO collects donations under false registration claims.
Section 319 (Cheating by personation): Whoever cheats by pretending to be some other person, or by representing themselves or another as a person they are not, is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years, or fine, or both. Applicable where a fraudster impersonates a real charity or its officials.
Section 316 (Criminal breach of trust): When an entity entrusted with property (donations collected for a stated purpose such as cyclone relief) dishonestly misappropriates or uses it for other purposes, it constitutes criminal breach of trust, punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years, or fine, or both.
Section 336 (Forgery): Making a false document or electronic record—including fake 80G certificates, registration documents, or government approval letters—is forgery. Where the forgery is committed for the purpose of cheating (Section 336(3)), it is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and fine.
Additionally, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (the criminal procedure code) provides for attachment and forfeiture of proceeds of crime under Section 107, which can be invoked during investigation to prevent disposal of fraud proceeds.
Citizen tip — When filing an FIR, cite the specific BNS sections in your complaint. A complaint that demonstrates legal knowledge is more likely to be registered. For donation fraud, you can refer to “Section 318 BNS” for cheating and the Consumer Protection Act 2019 for the consumer-protection angle.
The Consumer Protection Act 2019 provides a civil remedy. A person who pays for a “service” can be a “consumer,” and failure to deliver the promised service can amount to a “deficiency in service.” A complaint can be filed with the District Commission under Section 34 within the limitation period of two years (Section 69). For donation solicitation, whether a complaint is maintainable depends on the facts—seek advice where the position is unclear.
The following is an illustrative composite scenario (not a report of a specific case) showing how fake-charity networks typically operate and how verification defeats them.
A syndicate sets up several “orphanages” with professional websites, online ads, and emotional video appeals. Their methods commonly include:
How such schemes typically unravel: a careful donor tries to verify the NGO Darpan ID printed on the receipt, the search returns “no results,” and the donor reports it to the cybercrime portal—triggering an investigation. Police then commonly find that the entities are not registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 (or the relevant state law), that PANs belong to individuals rather than charitable bodies, that “office addresses” are mail-forwarding or virtual offices, and that the operation runs from a single location.
Key lesson: a three-minute NGO Darpan search, plus an 80G/PAN check, would stop a donation to such a network before any money leaves your account.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| NGO Darpan registration means the NGO is government-approved and trustworthy | Darpan is largely a self-reporting database. A listing confirms that the entity registered on the portal but NOT its legitimacy, financial health, or impact. Many listed NGOs have not filed updated returns for years. |
| If an NGO has a professional website and GST number, it must be registered | GST registration is unrelated to NGO legal status. Sole proprietorships and unregistered entities can obtain GST. Only the legal registration plus 12A/80G and NGO Darpan confirm charitable status. |
| All registered NGOs can accept foreign donations | Only NGOs with FCRA registration or prior permission can receive foreign funds. Accepting foreign contribution without FCRA is an offence under Section 35 of the FCRA 2010. |
| 80G certificate means donations are 100% tax-deductible | 80G certificates specify either 50% or 100% deduction, and many are “subject to a qualifying limit.” Check the certificate details, not just the presence of 80G status. |
| If an NGO refuses to share registration details, I can file an RTI to force the NGO to respond | The RTI Act 2005 applies to “public authorities” under Section 2(h). Most NGOs are NOT public authorities unless substantially financed by government (Section 2(h)). The RTI goes to the registering authority (Charity Commissioner, Registrar of Societies, MCA), not to the NGO itself. |
| Once I've donated to a fake NGO, I cannot recover the money | Recovery may be possible through: an FIR under BNS Section 318 (which can lead to freezing of accounts), a chargeback through your bank/UPI provider, a consumer complaint under the CPA 2019, and a civil recovery suit. Acting fast matters. See our WhatsApp fraud guide for the detailed process. |
Visit https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/ and search by the PAN shown on the certificate under “Exempted Institutions.” The portal displays valid registrations with certificate numbers, validity dates, and issuing authority. If the PAN returns “no results” or shows a different organisation name, treat the certificate as suspect and do not donate until clarified. Also check that the approval order number and “valid from / valid to” dates on the certificate match the portal entry.
Yes—legally permissible. Many small, genuine NGOs operate with only basic registration (Society/Trust) and a Darpan ID, lacking the resources for an 80G application. However, you will NOT receive a tax deduction under Section 80G, and oversight is lighter than for 12A/80G entities that face Income Tax scrutiny. For small donations, Darpan verification may suffice; for larger amounts, insist on audited financials and direct interaction with beneficiaries.
Section 12A/12AB (Income Tax Act 1961) exempts the NGO's income from tax—i.e., donations received are not taxable for the organisation. Section 80G allows donors (you) to claim a tax deduction on donations made. An NGO may have 12A but not 80G (the organisation is tax-exempt but your donation isn't deductible), or both. Always verify both separately. Since the Finance Act 2020 (effective 1 April 2021), new entities obtain provisional registration under Section 12AB first, and registrations are time-bound with periodic renewal.
NGO Darpan IDs do not expire once issued, but the profile is expected to be kept updated with audited statements and operational details. A Darpan profile that has not been updated for a long time signals non-compliance. Failure to keep the profile current can make the entity ineligible for government grants and may attract scrutiny from the registering authority.
Possibly. Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, where a transaction can be characterised as a paid “service,” the payer can be a “consumer” (Section 2(7)) and a failure to deliver the promised service can be a “deficiency in service” (Section 2(11)). Misrepresentation of registration status or failure to use funds as promised may be actionable. File the complaint with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under Section 34 within two years. Whether a pure donation qualifies depends on the facts—take advice if the position is unclear.
This is common—many Darpan-registered NGOs do not hold 80G status, because 80G is voluntary and requires a compliance history. It does NOT by itself indicate fraud. However, if the NGO's website or receipt explicitly claims “80G deduction available” but the Income Tax search shows no 80G, that is a misrepresentation. Request clarification; if the NGO insists 80G is valid despite a negative search result, report it to the Income Tax Department and do not donate.
File reports with the relevant agencies:
1. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in): Attach screenshots, bank details, and communication records 2. Local police: FIR under BNS Section 318/319 at the jurisdictional police station (where you donated from or where the NGO claims its office) 3. State Charity Commissioner / Registrar of Societies: Complaint with evidence 4. Income Tax Department: Report 80G misrepresentation 5. NITI Aayog (NGO Darpan): Report a fake NGO Darpan ID through the Darpan portal helpdesk 6. Ministry of Home Affairs (FCRA wing): Report FCRA violations through fcraonline.nic.in
Retain all acknowledgments and reference numbers. Follow up periodically, and you may use an RTI to the concerned authority to ask the status of your complaint.
There is no single centralised government helpline dedicated to NGO authenticity. Verification is self-service through the online portals (NGO Darpan, Income Tax exempted-institutions search, FCRA, and MCA). The NGO Darpan portal carries a helpdesk/contact option for portal-related queries, and state charity commissioner / Registrar of Societies offices can be contacted using the numbers published on their respective state government websites.
For immediate verification, use the four-layer online check method (Darpan + Income Tax + FCRA + MCA) detailed in this guide. It takes roughly 10-15 minutes.
To, The Public Information Officer Office of the Charity Commissioner [State Name] [Address] Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] Subject: RTI application under Section 6 of RTI Act 2005 for verification of NGO registration Respected Sir/Madam, Under the Right to Information Act 2005, I request the following information regarding [Full NGO Name] claiming registration number [Registration Number] and registered address at [Address]: 1. Whether the said organisation is registered under [Societies Registration Act 1860 / State Public Trusts Act / applicable law] with your office? 2. If yes, please provide: a. Registration number and date of registration b. Copy of registration certificate (attested) c. Current list of trustees/managing committee members with their full names and addresses d. Whether the organisation has submitted its annual returns for the years 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 e. Whether any complaints have been received against this organisation in the last three years, and if yes, status of such complaints 3. If no, please confirm in writing that no such organisation is registered with your office. 4. Whether the organisation holds valid tax exemption under Section 12A/80G of Income Tax Act 1961 as per records available with your office (if maintained). This information is sought to verify the authenticity of the organisation before making a charitable donation. I am a citizen of India exercising my right under the RTI Act 2005. I am willing to pay the prescribed fee. Please provide information within 30 days as per Section 7(1) of RTI Act 2005. Mode of reply requested: Email to [your email] or postal mail to below address. Yours faithfully, [Your Full Name] [Complete Address] [Phone Number] [Email Address] Enclosure: Copy of identity proof (Aadhaar/Voter ID)
Citizen tip — File RTI via online portals (rtionline.gov.in for the Central Government, or your state RTI portal) for faster processing and automatic tracking. If you receive an evasive reply, file a First Appeal within 30 days under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act 2005. Use our PIO Reply Checker to evaluate response completeness.
Verifying an NGO before you give is the single most effective protection against charity fraud. Spend a few minutes on NGO Darpan, the Income Tax exempted-institutions search, the FCRA portal, and—for Section 8 companies—the MCA master data. Match the name, PAN, and bank account; insist on a registration number and an 80G certificate number you can independently check; and never transfer money to a personal account on the strength of an emotional appeal. If the records do not add up, an RTI to the registering authority will settle the question.