A resident welfare association is a non-governmental group that advocates for residents of a certain urban or suburban region, mainly in Indian cities.
RWAs are not recognized government entities, and they can be formed in slums and illegal housing areas in India to represent citizen interests.
RWAs are formed under co-operative societies acts. It requires groups to have a minimum of fifteen members from a specific area, or under the state’s Apartment Owners Act as “association of apartment owners,” or under the Societies Registration Act, which requires a minimum of ten members.