Formation and Registration of a Non -Profit organisations in India
1) Trust
2) Society
3) Section-25 Company  
Additional Licensing/ Registration

Special Licensing
In addition to registration, a non-profit engaged in certain activities might also require special license/permission. Some of these include (but are not limited to):

A place of work in a restricted area (like a tribal area or a border area requires a special permit – the Inner Line Permit – usually issues either by the Ministry of Home Affairs or by the relevant local authority (i.e., district magistrate).

To open an office and employ people, the NGO should be registered under the Shop and Establishment Act.

To employ foreign staff, an Indian non-profit needs to be registered as a trust/society/company, have FCRA registration and also obtain a No Objection Certificate. The intended employee also needs a work visa.

A foreign non-profit setting up an office in India and wanting staff from abroad needs to be registered as a trust/society/company, needs permission from the Reserve Bank of India and also a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of External Affairs.