Indians give generously — but not every organisation asking for money is what it claims to be. A few minutes of checking before you donate protects your money, makes sure your gift is tax-deductible, and steers funds towards NGOs that actually deliver. This guide gives you a practical, repeatable way to verify any NGO in India, whether you are an individual writing a small cheque or a company planning a large grant.
Why verifying an NGO matters
The vast majority of registered NGOs do honest, difficult work. But the sector is large and lightly policed, and a small number of fronts exist mainly to collect donations. Even among genuine NGOs, standards of transparency vary widely. Verification does three things at once: it confirms the organisation legally exists and is allowed to receive donations, it ensures you get the 80G tax benefit you are entitled to, and it tells you whether your money is likely to be used well. You are not being cynical by checking — you are being a responsible donor.
The four registrations, and what each one proves
Most credibility checks come down to four registrations. Each proves a different thing, so learn what each one actually means rather than treating them as interchangeable badges.
| Registration | What it proves | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| 12A | The NGO's own income is exempt from tax | More of every rupee you give goes to the work, not to tax |
| 80G | Donations to the NGO qualify for a deduction | Your gift lowers your taxable income |
| CSR-1 | The NGO is registered to receive company CSR funds | Essential if you are funding through corporate CSR |
| FCRA | The NGO may legally accept foreign contributions | Required if the NGO takes money from abroad |
An NGO does not need all four. A small local charity funded only by Indian individuals may correctly have just 12A and 80G. But if it is asking companies for CSR money it must have CSR-1, and if it accepts foreign donations its FCRA must be active and current. Our complete 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA guide explains each in depth.
Start with the NGO Darpan Unique ID
The single most useful public record is the NGO Darpan portal run by NITI Aayog. Every NGO that wants government grants, CSR-1, FCRA or fresh 12A/80G approval must first have a Darpan Unique ID. Go to ngodarpan.gov.in and search by the organisation's name, registration number or Unique ID. Look for a profile that has been updated year after year, with office bearers, PAN and activities listed. One caution: the Darpan ID is issued on a self-declared affidavit, so treat it as a starting point, not a guarantee. A downloadable Darpan certificate carries a QR code that should open the live profile when scanned.
Verify 12A and 80G on the income-tax portal
Do not rely on a photograph of a certificate. The income-tax department's e-filing portal lets you look up institutions approved under 12A and 80G, and every valid 80G receipt should carry the NGO's PAN and 80G approval number. Confirm the approval is current — since the rules changed, these approvals are time-bound and must be renewed, so an old certificate may have lapsed. If you want your donation to be deductible, also ask for Form 10BE: 80G-approved NGOs must file a statement of donations and issue this certificate, and the tax portal now matches your claim against it.
Read the money trail
Registration tells you an NGO is legal; its accounts tell you whether it is well run. Ask for, and actually read, three documents:
- Audited financial statements — a genuine NGO has its accounts audited every year and can share the balance sheet and income-and-expenditure statement.
- The latest annual report — look for concrete numbers: people reached, programmes run, results measured, not just photographs.
- The board and leadership — trustees and directors should be named publicly. Anonymity is a warning sign.
A healthy ratio of programme spending to administrative and fundraising costs is reassuring, but do not over-index on a single number — some causes are genuinely expensive to deliver. What matters is that the NGO is open about where the money goes.
Red flags to walk away from
- It insists on cash, or gives a receipt with no PAN or 80G number.
- It refuses to share audited accounts or an annual report.
- It has no NGO Darpan ID and cannot explain why.
- It promises your donation is 100% tax-free or fully refundable — 80G gives a deduction, never a full refund.
- It uses pressure tactics, emotional urgency and a QR code with no verifiable organisation behind it.
- Its FCRA is lapsed or cancelled but it still solicits foreign donations.
A five-minute verification routine
- Search the NGO on NGO Darpan and note its Unique ID.
- Ask for its 12A and 80G certificates and confirm the numbers are current.
- If relevant, check CSR-1 (companies) and FCRA (foreign funds).
- Request the latest audited accounts and annual report.
- Donate in a traceable mode, collect a stamped receipt, and ask for Form 10BE.
Do this once for an NGO you plan to support long-term and you rarely need to repeat it. To skip most of the legwork, you can browse NGOs on NGOLists whose compliance has already been checked — every organisation is verified for 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA before it appears. Give with your heart, but verify with your head first.