Section 8 Company
Governance & Transparency
“We hold ourselves to a single standard: would the students and communities we serve be proud of how we operate? Every year, the answer must be yes.”
Legal Status & Registration
| Entity Name | Ritam Foundation |
| Legal Structure | Section 8 Company — Companies Act, 2013 (India) |
| Governance | Self-managed — Independent Section 8 Company |
| Parent Institution | Indian Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore |
| Founded | 2001 (IIFT Bangalore) | 2026 (Ritam Foundation incorporated) |
| University Affiliations | Bangalore University | Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University |
What is a Section 8 Company?
A Section 8 Company is a designation under India’s Companies Act, 2013 — granted to organisations that have been incorporated for the promotion of commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of the environment, or any such other object. Critically, a Section 8 Company is prohibited by law from distributing profits to its members.
The Ritam Foundation operates as a Section 8 Company, which means: any and all revenue generated — whether through the Mentored Commissions at www.ritamhouseofcouture.com, donations, or institutional grants — must be reinvested entirely into the Foundation’s stated charitable objectives. This is not a policy choice. It is a legal requirement.
This structure is precisely why the Ritam House of Couture is described as a vehicle for patronage rather than a commercial enterprise. When you acquire a Mentored Commission, you are funding an institution.
Impact Reinvestment — Where Patron Funds Go
For every acquisition made at www.ritamhouseofcouture.com, proceeds are reinvested according to the following allocation:
Direct compensation to the creating Design Resident
Funding original research papers, white papers, and IKS curriculum development
Supporting traditional craft communities and textile heritage preservation
Need-based scholarships for Design Residents at IIFT Bangalore
Administration, legal compliance, and institutional infrastructure
Annual Impact Reports
The Ritam Foundation publishes an Annual Impact Report for each financial year. These reports are available for public download and are submitted to the Registrar of Companies in accordance with Section 8 compliance requirements.