The Indian Church Act of 1927 established the legal union between the Church of England and the Church in India, but this was repealed in 1960 without an alternative act being established. As a result, most Indian churches registered as societies under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 rather than the Religious Endowments Act of 1863 or Charitable and Religious Trust Act of 1920. This means that technically, churches are considered voluntary NGOs rather than religious charities under Indian law.