Rules to register societies not notified

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's much-publicised overhaul of societies laws has run into an administrative wall, leaving voluntary organisations across the state in legal limbo. Though Kerala Societies Registration Act, 2025 came into force on Jan 1 this year —replacing the 165-year-old Societies Registration Act of 1860 and Travancore-Cochin Act of 1955— the rules to operationalise the new regime are yet to be notified, effectively paralysing fresh registrations.The 2025 Act was enacted as a landmark reform to end decades of fragmented regulation. For nearly seven decades after Kerala's formation, societies in Malabar and certain pockets were governed by the colonial-era 1860 law, while the rest of the state functioned under the 1955 statute. The absence of uniform provisions and framed rules led to inconsistencies, legal confusion and administrative hurdles. The new law consolidated both frameworks into a single, modern statute mandating stricter compliance, compulsory audits, annual filings and stronger regulatory oversight.
However, while the parent legislation was published in the gazette in Nov 2025 and brought into force from Jan 1, the procedural rules that specify how societies should apply, required documents, fee structure and compliance formats have not been issued.Administrative department had prepared the draft rules nearly two months ago and forwarded them to law department for scrutiny, sources said. Since then, the file has been pending. The delay created a regulatory vacuum: the old Acts stand repealed, but operational mechanism under new law is yet to take shape."Registrar offices are now unable to process new applications. They cannot accept registrations under the repealed statutes, nor can they proceed under the new Act without notified rules. As a result, newly formed clubs, charitable organisations, cultural bodies and educational societies are unable to obtain registration certificates," said a sub-registrar on conditions of anonymity.Without registration, organisations cannot open bank accounts, receive grants or mobilise funds, including foreign contributions, where applicable. Registration department's online portal still reflects provisions of the repealed laws, adding to the confusion.The impact is particularly severe in the arts and sports sectors, where numerous clubs and grassroots bodies were preparing to register under the unified law. Libraries, startups in the social sector and community initiatives that depend on formal registration to operate legally are also affected. Volunteers say months of preparatory work has been stalled due to the administrative deadlock.The irony is that the 2025 Act was projected as a major reform to strengthen transparency and streamline governance of voluntary organisations, observers note. Instead, the absence of enabling rules has left the sector in a transitional freeze.