Ask three providers what it costs to register a private limited company and you will get three different numbers. They are quoting different parts of the same bill. The cost is a stack of five government and third-party charges plus a professional fee, and only the professional fee is within a provider's control.
This guide sets out each charge, which law sets it, the verified amounts where a verified amount exists, and what to budget for after incorporation. For the filing process itself, see how to register a private limited company, or let our company registration team handle it.
Quick answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the MCA incorporation fee? | Nil where authorised capital is ₹15 lakh or less. |
| Is name reservation free? | No. It is ₹1,000 per name application, in SPICe+ Part A as well as RUN. |
| Are PAN and TAN free? | No. PAN is ₹66 and TAN is ₹65, paid in the same filing. |
| What varies the most? | State stamp duty on the MOA and AOA. |
| What does Regikart charge? | A professional fee from ₹1,499, with government fees at actuals. |
Why there is no single figure
The MCA's fees are set by central rules and are the same everywhere. Stamp duty on the incorporation documents is charged under each State's Stamp Act, so it changes with the state of your registered office and, in some states, with your authorised capital. The total is always a mix of central and state charges, which is why no provider can accurately quote one national figure.
The law that sets each charge
- MCA fees: the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014, read with the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. The nil incorporation fee up to ₹15 lakh authorised capital comes from rule 38(2), as substituted by G.S.R. 180(E) with effect from 18 March 2019. The name fee sits under rule 9.
- Stamp duty: the Stamp Act of the state where the registered office is, administered by that State Government.
- Two authorities: the MCA collects its fees and the state stamp duty through the same SPICe+ payment, but they are separate charges under separate laws.
The five charges you actually pay
1. Name reservation: ₹1,000 per application
Reserving the name in SPICe+ Part A costs ₹1,000 per application, and you can propose up to two names in it. The same fee applies through the standalone RUN service. Advice that filing through Part A "saves ₹1,000" is wrong: there is no free route.
2. SPICe+ Part B incorporation fee: nil up to ₹15 lakh authorised capital
Where authorised capital is ₹15,00,000 or less, the incorporation fee is nil. Above that, the fee is computed on a slab linked to authorised capital; use the fee calculator on the MCA portal for your figure. Most new companies start well under ₹15 lakh and pay nothing here.
3. State stamp duty on the MOA, AOA and INC-32
Stamp duty is charged on the SPICe+ form (INC-32), the e-MOA and the e-AOA at your state's rates. See the state section below.
4. Class 3 DSC for each director
Each director and subscriber needs a Class 3 digital signature certificate from a licensed certifying authority. It is valid for two years and reused for later filings. The price is set by the certifying authority, so it is quoted at actuals.
5. PAN (₹66) and TAN (₹65)
The company's PAN and TAN are applied for inside SPICe+ and allotted with the Certificate of Incorporation. They are bundled into the same filing, which is not the same as free: PAN costs ₹66 and TAN ₹65.
What you do not pay separately: DIN through SPICe+
There is no separate fee for the DIN of up to three proposed first directors applied for in SPICe+. A standalone DIR-3 application, for example for a director added later, is ₹500.
Stamp duty, state by state
| State | INC-32 | e-MOA | e-AOA | At ₹10 lakh authorised capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹10 | ₹200 | 0.15% of authorised capital, maximum ₹25,00,000 | ₹1,710 |
| West Bengal | ₹10 | ₹60 | ₹300 flat, not linked to capital | ₹370 |
Every other state sets its own rates under its own Stamp Act, and several link the AOA duty to authorised capital. We have not published figures for Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan or other states because the sources available disagree or are out of date. The MCA portal calculates the duty for your state and capital at filing, and we put that figure in your written quote before you pay anything.
Pick the state where you actually operate. Moving the registered office to another state later means an ROC shifting process with its own fees and fresh stamp duty.
Why "₹999 company registration" ads mislead
The professional fee is only one line of the bill. A very low headline price almost always quotes that line alone, then adds DSCs, the name fee, PAN and TAN and stamp duty as "government charges" once you have committed.
- Government fees are mandatory and separate. No provider can waive the name fee, PAN and TAN or stamp duty; they go to the government.
- Stamp duty varies by state. The same company costs more to stamp in some states than others.
- Cheap quotes often unbundle. Look for DSCs charged per director as an add-on, or a quote that leaves out stamp duty.
Read any quote by asking one question: does this number include the DSCs, the name fee, PAN and TAN and stamp duty, or only your professional fee?
Regikart's fee
Our professional fee for private limited company registration starts from ₹1,499. It covers the name check and reservation, drafting of the e-MOA and e-AOA, SPICe+ Part B with AGILE-PRO-S, the DINs, PAN and TAN, and professional certification of the form. Government fees and DSCs are passed through at actuals and itemised in the quote we send before filing.
Which lines apply to you
| Line item | Two Indian founders, Delhi | Two founders, a state with capital-linked AOA duty | Three founders including an NRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Incorporation fee (capital up to ₹15 lakh) | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Stamp duty | ₹1,710 at ₹10 lakh capital | At actuals, rises with capital | At actuals for the state |
| DSCs | 2, at actuals | 2, at actuals | 3, at actuals |
| PAN and TAN | ₹66 and ₹65 | ₹66 and ₹65 | ₹66 and ₹65 |
| Apostille or notarisation abroad | Not needed | Not needed | At actuals, paid in the NRI's country |
| Professional fee | From ₹1,499 | From ₹1,499 | From ₹1,499 |
Resubmission and rejection: what it costs you
If the ROC raises a query, a SPICe+ form can be re-submitted up to two times with no fresh form fee. If the application is finally rejected, a fresh name application costs ₹1,000 again. That is why a name search against the MCA register and the trademark database, before you pay, is the cheapest step in the process.
GST on what you pay
There is no GST on the government fees or the stamp duty. GST at 18% applies to the professional fee and to the DSCs.
Increasing authorised capital later: the SH-7 difference-of-fee rule
Keep the authorised capital close to what you will issue in the next year or two. When you need more, you increase authorised capital by filing Form SH-7. There is no flat SH-7 fee: you pay the registration fee on the new total authorised capital minus the fee on your existing capital, plus any stamp duty your state levies on the increase. Starting lean and raising capital when a round needs it spreads the cost.
Capital drives both charges at incorporation too: a higher authorised capital raises the MCA fee above ₹15 lakh and, in states with capital-linked duty, the stamp duty. Our authorised vs paid-up capital guide explains how to set it.
What each structure costs, relatively
| Structure | Relative setup cost | Relative annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| LLP | Low | Low |
| One person company | Moderate | Moderate |
| Private limited company | Moderate | Moderate to high |
| Section 8 company | Moderate | Moderate |
Registration is a one-time cost. Annual ROC filings, the audit and income-tax returns recur every year and often add up to more than the setup cost over time. An LLP is usually cheapest to run but cannot raise equity; see Pvt Ltd vs LLP vs OPC before you choose on cost alone.
What to budget for after incorporation
INC-20A within 180 days
After the subscribers pay for their shares, file the declaration of commencement of business within 180 days. Missing it costs ₹50,000 for the company and ₹1,000 a day for each officer in default, up to ₹1,00,000, under section 10A. See INC-20A filing.
Auditor appointment and ADT-1
The board appoints the first auditor within 30 days of incorporation. Our auditor appointment service covers the appointment and Form ADT-1.
AOC-4 and MGT-7
The financial statements and annual return are filed every year through annual ROC filing, with MGT-7A for a small company (paid-up capital up to ₹10 crore and turnover up to ₹100 crore, G.S.R. 880(E), 1 December 2025). A late form carries an additional fee of ₹100 per day per form with no cap. That fee is separate from the penalties under sections 92 and 137, which can apply on top.
DIR-3 KYC, once every three financial years
Director KYC is not an annual cost. It is due once every three financial years by 30 June (G.S.R. 943(E), 31 December 2025, effective 31 March 2026), next on 30 June 2028 for directors already compliant. The fee is nil on time, ₹5,000 late and ₹500 for a change filing (G.S.R. 300(E), 21 April 2026).
Registrations you may need
GST registration carries no government fee and is needed above the turnover threshold or for inter-state supply of goods. Udyam registration is free. Profession tax enrolment applies in states that levy it, such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal, and can be applied for through AGILE-PRO-S. Our steps after company registration guide sets out the order.
How to keep the cost down, legitimately
- Keep authorised capital modest. Up to ₹15 lakh keeps the MCA fee at nil and, in capital-linked states, keeps stamp duty down. Raise it through SH-7 when you need to.
- Choose the state you actually operate from. Relocating the registered office later costs MCA fees and stamp duty again.
- Buy the DSCs together. Getting every director's DSC from one provider in one go is usually cheaper and faster than separate purchases.
- Check the name properly before paying. A rejected name after two resubmissions means paying ₹1,000 again.
- Opt for profession tax in AGILE-PRO-S in states that levy it, rather than registering separately later.
- Compare quotes like for like. Ask what the number includes.
Talk to Regikart
Want the exact figure for your state and capital before you commit? Regikart's CA and CS team sends a written quote with every government fee itemised, then handles the private limited company registration. We work with 250+ clients from offices in Kolkata (head office), Delhi and Bengaluru. Call or WhatsApp +91 70444 94804, or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a private limited company in India?
The government charges are ₹1,000 for the name, nil incorporation fee up to ₹15 lakh authorised capital, ₹66 for PAN, ₹65 for TAN and your state's stamp duty, plus a Class 3 DSC for each director and the professional fee. Regikart's fee starts from ₹1,499.
Pvt Ltd register karne ki government fees kitni hai?
Name reservation ₹1,000, SPICe+ incorporation fee ₹15 lakh authorised capital tak nil, PAN ₹66 aur TAN ₹65, plus state stamp duty. Delhi mein ₹10 lakh capital par stamp duty ₹1,710 hai aur West Bengal mein ₹370.
Is the MCA filing fee really nil?
Yes, the SPICe+ incorporation fee is nil where authorised capital is ₹15 lakh or less. The name reservation fee, PAN and TAN and stamp duty still apply.
Is name reservation free if I use SPICe+ Part A?
No. The ₹1,000 name application fee applies to SPICe+ Part A as well as RUN.
Are PAN and TAN charged separately?
They are applied for in the same SPICe+ filing, but they are not free: PAN is ₹66 and TAN is ₹65.
Which state has the lowest stamp duty?
Of the two states we publish, West Bengal works out lower than Delhi once authorised capital is above about ₹1 lakh, because its AOA duty is a flat ₹300: ₹370 in total against ₹1,710 in Delhi at ₹10 lakh authorised capital. Other states are quoted at actuals from the MCA portal.
Do I need to pay GST on registration fees?
Not on government fees or stamp duty. GST at 18% applies to the professional fee and the DSCs.
Will the cost change if I increase authorised capital later?
Yes. Form SH-7 carries the fee on the new total authorised capital minus the fee on the existing capital, plus any state stamp duty on the increase.
What happens to my fees if the application is rejected?
A SPICe+ form can be re-submitted up to two times without a fresh form fee. If it is finally rejected, a new name application costs ₹1,000 again.
Is there a fee for the directors' DIN?
Not for up to three first directors applying through SPICe+. A standalone DIR-3 application later costs ₹500.
What does Regikart's fee include?
The professional work from name check to certificate: name reservation, e-MOA and e-AOA drafting, SPICe+ Part B with AGILE-PRO-S, DIN, PAN and TAN, and certification. It starts from ₹1,499 plus GST at 18%, with government fees and DSCs at actuals.
About the author
Regikart CS Team
Company Secretaries at Regikart. Want to discuss this in the context of your business?
