Budget and fees

Political Party Registration Fees and Total Cost in India (2026)

Updated 18 July 20266 min read

The statutory filing fee for registering a political party is ₹10,000, but the total cost of a well-prepared registration mandate is meaningfully higher once notarial, publication, and drafting costs are counted. Here is what founding groups should budget.

Statutory fees

₹10,000 non-refundable processing fee payable to the Under Secretary, Election Commission of India, by demand draft. Nominal filing fees at the Registrar's office for the acknowledgement copy. Post-registration, statutory audit fees are charged annually by the party's auditor.

See the full cost breakdown: Political party registration fees. Ready to file? Book a consultation.

Notarial and publication costs

One hundred notarised member affidavits at the prevailing notarial fee — typically ₹100 to ₹300 per affidavit depending on the state. Public notice published in two newspapers of wide circulation — usually one English daily and one vernacular — with combined cost in the ₹40,000 to ₹1,50,000 range depending on the circulation tier chosen.

See the full cost breakdown: Political party registration fees. Ready to file? Book a consultation.

Legal and drafting costs

Constitution and manifesto drafting. Founders' resolution and office-bearer resolutions. Preparation of Form PPR-1 and supporting annexures. Objection responses during the thirty-day public notice window. Fixed-fee engagements from specialist counsel typically run in the ₹4,00,000 to ₹12,00,000 range depending on complexity, geography, and speed.

See the full cost breakdown: Political party registration fees. Ready to file? Book a consultation.

Ongoing compliance costs

Annual audited accounts under Section 29C. Contribution reports for donations above ₹20,000. Annual returns to claim tax exemption under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act. Candidate nomination filings at the time of each election.

See the full cost breakdown: Political party registration fees. Ready to file? Book a consultation.

Frequently asked

Is the ₹10,000 fee refundable if the application is rejected?
No. The processing fee is non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome.
Are there GST implications on the filing fee?
The statutory fee is not subject to GST. Professional fees paid to counsel are typically subject to GST at the prevailing rate.