Company registration in India Pick the right structure, then register it online in one SPICe+ filing.
Every company in India is registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs through one online form, SPICe+. The harder decision comes first: whether you need a private limited company, an LLP, an OPC or something else. This guide helps you choose, shows every government fee, and lists what you must do after the certificate arrives.
Professional fee from ₹1,499 + govt fees and DSC (if your directors or partners don't already hold a valid one), plus GST on our fee. Government fees at actuals, shown before we file.
Pick a structure
Our fee, from
- Private limited company₹1,499
- LLP₹1,499
- One Person Company₹1,499
- Partnership firm₹1,499
- Sole proprietorship₹1,499
- Section 8 company₹1,999
Plus government fees at actuals and GST on our fee. Not sure which one? Use the chooser below.
What company registration means in India
Company registration is the legal act of bringing a company into existence under the Companies Act, 2013. The Registrar of Companies (ROC) approves your application and issues a certificate of incorporation with a Corporate Identification Number (CIN).
Once registered, the company is a separate legal person that owns assets, signs contracts and sues or is sued in its own name. Shareholders' liability is limited to any unpaid amount on their shares.
An LLP registers under the LLP Act, 2008 and a partnership firm with the state Registrar of Firms. The chooser below covers them too, because the right answer is not always a company.
Which structure should you register? The chooser
Choose by four things: how much personal liability you can accept, who will own the business, whether you will raise outside equity, and how much annual compliance you can manage. The two tables below compare the ten structures Regikart registers.
Liability, members and compliance
| Structure | Owner liability | Minimum to start | Annual compliance load | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private limited company | Limited | 2 directors (at least one resident in India) and 2 shareholders | High: statutory audit, AOC-4, MGT-7 or MGT-7A, board meetings, AGM | Startups and businesses planning to grow or raise equity |
| One Person Company (OPC) | Limited | 1 member who is an Indian citizen, 1 nominee, 1 director | Medium to high: audit, AOC-4, MGT-7A; no AGM | Solo founders who want a company |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | Limited | 2 designated partners, at least one resident in India | Medium: Form 11 and Form 8 each year; audit only above set limits | Professional firms and partner-run businesses |
| Partnership firm | Unlimited, joint and several | 2 partners and a partnership deed | Low: income-tax return; state registration is optional but advisable | Small, trusted joint ventures |
| Sole proprietorship | Unlimited | 1 owner; business registrations such as GST or Udyam as needed | Lowest: the owner's income-tax return | Freelancers and micro businesses |
| Section 8 company | Limited | As a private (2 directors, 2 members) or public company (3 directors, 7 members), plus a licence | High, plus licence conditions | Non-profits, NGOs, social enterprises |
| Producer company | Limited | 10 individual producers, or 2 producer institutions, or a mix of 10 | High | Farmer producer organisations |
| Nidhi company | Limited | Incorporated as a public company (7 members, 3 directors), then must meet the Nidhi Rules | High, with Nidhi-specific returns | Mutual-benefit savings and lending among members |
| Public limited company | Limited | 3 directors and 7 members | Highest | Large businesses planning a public issue |
| Indian subsidiary | Limited | A private company: 2 directors (one resident) and 2 shareholders, usually the foreign parent and a nominee | High, plus FEMA reporting | Foreign companies entering India |
Foreign ownership, tax and fundraising
| Structure | Foreign ownership | Tax on profits (FY 2025-26) | Raising money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private limited | Up to 100% under the automatic route in most sectors | 22% under section 115BAA plus 10% surcharge and 4% cess, or normal company rates | Equity, preference shares, convertibles, ESOPs |
| OPC | Member must be an Indian citizen; foreign nationals cannot form one | Same as a company | Own funds and loans; convert to a private company to bring in investors (see OPC to private limited conversion) |
| LLP | Allowed only in sectors open to 100% FDI under the automatic route without FDI-linked conditions | 30% plus 4% cess; 12% surcharge above ₹1 crore income | Partner contribution and loans; no shares |
| Partnership firm | Not a route for foreign investment in general | 30% plus 4% cess; 12% surcharge above ₹1 crore income | Partners' capital and loans; for shares, see partnership to private limited conversion |
| Sole proprietorship | Not a route for foreign investment in general | The owner's slab rates | Owner's funds and loans |
| Section 8 | Possible, but foreign contributions carry separate rules; we check before you accept | Income can be exempt once registered with the Income Tax Department as a charitable entity | Grants, donations, CSR funds; no dividends |
| Producer company | Membership limited to producers | Company rates | Member capital |
| Nidhi company | FDI not permitted | Company rates | Deposits from members only |
| Public limited | Up to 100% under the automatic route in most sectors | Company rates | Public issue and listing |
| Indian subsidiary | Up to 100% under the automatic route in most sectors, with FC-GPR reporting | Company rates, as a domestic company | Equity from the parent |
Tax years matter from here on. FY 2025-26 is taxed under the Income-tax Act, 1961. From Tax Year 2026-27, the Income-tax Act, 2025 applies, and the 22% company option sits in section 200 of the new Act.
Weighing a company outside India? See how to set up in Singapore instead or set up in the UAE instead.
Three questions that settle most cases
Will you raise equity from investors or give ESOPs? Choose a private limited company. Investors buy shares, and an LLP or firm has none to sell.
Are you a professional practice or a family business that will never sell equity? An LLP gives limited liability with lighter annual filings. Compare it on our LLP registration page.
Are you alone? An OPC gives you a company with one owner. If you expect a co-founder within a year, a private limited company with a second shareholder may save a conversion later. For a trading or freelance business testing an idea, a proprietorship with GST or Udyam registration costs the least.
Not sure? WhatsApp us on +91 70444 94804 with two lines about your plans and we will tell you which structure fits.
Company name rules in plain words
Your name must not match or closely resemble any existing company, LLP or registered trademark, and must not be "undesirable" under the rules. The ROC applies Rules 8, 8A and 8B of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.
Names treated as identical (Rule 8)
The ROC ignores differences that do not change how a name reads. Plurals, spelling variants, spacing, punctuation, word order, articles such as "the", words such as "Private Limited", and a translation of the same name all count as the same name.
So "Green Technology Private Limited" and "Greens Technologies Private Limited" are one name.
Undesirable names (Rule 8A)
A name is refused if, among other grounds, it infringes a registered trademark without consent, offends a community, or resembles a company that was dissolved recently.
It is also refused if it suggests an activity the company will not carry on, or uses words such as "Bank", "Insurance" or "Nidhi" without the regulator's approval.
Words that need approval (Rule 8B)
Some words need Central Government approval before use, such as words implying government patronage or a national or constitutional body. Avoid them unless you have that approval.
Our tip: propose a distinctive coined word plus a word that describes your business, for example "Zentrova Logistics Private Limited". Run a trademark check too; see trademark registration. An approved name is reserved for 20 days, so keep your documents ready before you apply.
How SPICe+ works: Part A and Part B
SPICe+ (form INC-32) is the single MCA web form for incorporating a company. Part A reserves the name; Part B incorporates the company and bundles PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, bank account opening and optional GST registration through linked forms.
Before you file: DSC and DIN
Every proposed director and subscriber signs the forms with a Class 3 digital signature certificate. Directors who do not yet have a Director Identification Number get one through SPICe+ Part B, for up to three directors, with no separate DIN fee. A fourth new director applies for a DIN separately; see DIN registration.
Part A: name reservation
You propose up to two names with your main business activity. You can file Part A on its own and wait for approval, or file it together with Part B. The government fee is ₹1,000 per application. Once approved, the name is reserved for 20 days, within which Part B must be filed.
Part B: incorporation with e-MoA, e-AoA and AGILE-PRO-S
Part B carries the company's details: registered office, capital, subscribers, directors and their DINs. Four linked forms go with it:
- e-MoA (INC-33): the memorandum, including the company's objects.
- e-AoA (INC-34): the articles, the internal rulebook for shares, meetings and directors.
- AGILE-PRO-S: GSTIN (optional), EPFO and ESIC registration, bank account opening and, in some states, professional tax registration.
- INC-9 and DIR-2: subscribers' and directors' declarations and consents, generated by the system.
A professional certifies the form, and it goes to the Central Registration Centre for processing. The ROC may raise a query; you reply and resubmit within the time the portal allows.
What you receive: certificate, CIN, PAN and TAN
On approval, you receive the certificate of incorporation by email. It shows the company's CIN, date of incorporation, PAN and TAN, so the company's tax registrations exist from day one. EPFO and ESIC registration numbers are also allotted through the same filing.
In our experience, most companies are incorporated in about 7-10 working days once documents are complete and DSCs are issued. This is a practical estimate, not a legal time limit; ROC queries or a rejected name add time.
Documents you need
You need identity and address proof for every director and subscriber, and proof of the registered office. Foreign nationals and NRIs need notarised or apostilled documents; the private limited page lists documents by applicant type.
From each director and subscriber (Indian residents)
- PAN card
- Aadhaar, or another identity proof such as passport, voter ID or driving licence
- Address proof not older than two months: bank statement or utility bill
- Recent photograph
- Email ID and mobile number, used for DSC and portal verification
For the registered office
- Latest electricity, gas, water or telephone bill, not older than two months
- No-objection certificate from the owner
- Rent or lease agreement if rented, or ownership proof if owned
From you, in writing
- Two proposed names, the main business activity and the objects
- Authorised and paid-up capital, and each subscriber's shareholding
A home address can be the registered office, with the owner's NOC and a recent utility bill.
Company registration fees
The total has two parts: government fees, which depend on your authorised capital and state, and our professional fee. Fees are calculated on authorised capital, not paid-up capital.
Government fees
| Government fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Name reservation (SPICe+ Part A) | ₹1,000 per application |
| MCA incorporation fee, authorised capital up to ₹15,00,000 | Nil |
| MCA incorporation fee, authorised capital above ₹15,00,000 | Charged on a slab by authorised capital; we quote it before filing |
| DIN for up to three directors through SPICe+ | No separate fee |
| PAN for the company | ₹66 |
| TAN for the company | ₹65 |
| Stamp duty on SPICe+, e-MoA and e-AoA | State-specific (below) |
A company without share capital with up to 20 members also pays no incorporation fee.
Stamp duty by state
Stamp duty is a state levy and the MCA portal calculates it from your registered office state and authorised capital.
| State | SPICe+ (INC-32) | e-MoA | e-AoA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹10 | ₹200 | 0.15% of authorised capital, maximum ₹25,00,000 |
| West Bengal | ₹10 | ₹60 | ₹300 (flat) |
| Other states, including Karnataka | Quoted before filing | Quoted before filing | Quoted before filing |
Worked example: ₹10 lakh authorised capital
Take a private company with authorised capital of ₹10,00,000, excluding DSC cost and our fee.
| Government fee | Delhi | West Bengal |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Incorporation fee | Nil | Nil |
| PAN and TAN | ₹131 | ₹131 |
| Stamp duty on SPICe+ | ₹10 | ₹10 |
| Stamp duty on e-MoA | ₹200 | ₹60 |
| Stamp duty on e-AoA | ₹1,500 | ₹300 |
| Total government fees | ₹2,841 | ₹1,501 |
In Delhi the e-AoA duty rises with authorised capital, so ₹25,00,000 authorised capital means ₹3,750 on the e-AoA alone. Keep authorised capital close to what you will issue in the next year or two; you can increase it later.
Our professional fee
| Regikart fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Company incorporation through SPICe+ | From ₹1,499 |
| Government fee | As above, paid at actuals |
| Class 3 DSC for directors and subscribers | Only if they don't already hold a valid one; quoted separately |
Professional fees exclude GST at 18%. Government fees, where they apply, are paid at actuals to the department and are shown separately. Fees verified on 21 September 2026.
Each structure's fee is on its own page, and the exact inclusions are confirmed on your written quote; for a company, see our Pvt Ltd registration page.
Know your total before you file.
Tell us your structure, state and authorised capital. We will send the government fees and our fee in writing before any filing.
After incorporation: your first 30 and 180 days
The certificate starts several clocks. Missing them is the most common and most avoidable cost for new companies.
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight away | Open the current account and deposit the subscription money from each shareholder | INC-20A needs proof that subscribers paid for their shares |
| Within 30 days | Hold the first board meeting | Required under section 173(1) |
| Within 30 days | Board appoints the first statutory auditor; see auditor appointment | Section 139(6); if the board fails, members appoint within 90 days |
| From day one | Keep statutory registers, starting with the register of members | Section 88; the ROC and investors check them |
| Within 60 days | Issue share certificates to subscribers | Section 56(4) |
| Within 180 days | File INC-20A, the declaration of commencement of business; see INC-20A filing | Section 10A; the company cannot start business or borrow until it is filed |
| Within 30 days of becoming liable | Apply for GST registration, if you did not opt for it in SPICe+ | Turnover above ₹40 lakh for goods or ₹20 lakh for services (lower in special category states), or inter-state or e-commerce sales of goods |
| When eligible | Apply for Startup India recognition | Unlocks startup benefits for eligible companies |
Penalty, not fee: missing INC-20A can lead to a penalty of ₹50,000 on the company and ₹1,000 a day on each officer in default, up to ₹1,00,000. The ROC can also start strike-off action if the company does not commence business.
After the first year, the annual cycle begins: AGM, AOC-4 and MGT-7 or MGT-7A. See annual ROC filing for dates and MCA compliance for the full list.
To protect the brand as well as the name, register your logo.
Small company status and DIR-3 KYC
Two rules changed recently and many guides still show the old versions.
- Small company: a private company with paid-up capital up to ₹10 crore and turnover up to ₹100 crore, from 1 December 2025 (G.S.R. 880(E)). Most new companies qualify and file lighter returns.
- DIR-3 KYC: no longer annual. Every director files DIR-3 KYC Web once every three financial years, by 30 June; directors already compliant are next due on 30 June 2028. Changes to mobile, email or address go in within 30 days. See DIR-3 KYC.
Common mistakes that delay or damage a registration
These six errors cause most rejections and later corrections we see. Each is avoidable at the drafting stage.
- 1A vague or wrong main business activity. A mismatch between your objects and the actual business can create problems with banks and licences later, and changing objects needs a special resolution and a filing.
- 2Authorised capital set carelessly. Too high and you overpay stamp duty in states like Delhi; too low and you need an increase in share capital at the first funding round.
- 3A name that fails Rule 8 or 8A. Generic words, near-copies of existing companies and trademark clashes are refused. Check the MCA register and the trademark register first.
- 4Mismatched documents. A name spelt one way on PAN and another on Aadhaar, or a utility bill older than two months, triggers ROC queries.
- 5No resident director. At least one director must stay in India for 182 days or more in the financial year. Plan this before the application, especially for NRI founders.
- 6Subscription money never deposited. Without it, INC-20A cannot be filed and the company cannot lawfully start business.
How to verify a company on the MCA portal
Anyone can check a company's registration free on the MCA portal. Go to MCA Services, then Master Data, then View Company or LLP Master Data, and search by name or CIN.
The master data shows the company's CIN, status (active, strike off, under process of striking off and others), date of incorporation, registered office, ROC, authorised and paid-up capital, directors with their DINs, and the dates of the last AGM and balance sheet filed.
What a CIN tells you. The CIN is a 21-character number that appears on the certificate of incorporation. It shows whether the company is listed or unlisted, its industry code, state, year of incorporation and type, such as PTC for a private company or OPC for a One Person Company.
The certificate is the document; the CIN is the number printed on it.
Why founders register with Regikart
Regikart has 250+ clients across India, and our team includes chartered accountants and company secretaries. Every incorporation is prepared by our secretarial team and reviewed by a Company Secretary before it reaches the MCA portal.
Advice on structure first.
We tell you when an LLP or a proprietorship suits you better.
Fees in writing before filing.
Professional fee from ₹1,499 + govt fees and DSC (if your directors don't already hold a valid one); government fees and stamp duty shown line by line.
After-incorporation support.
INC-20A, first auditor, annual ROC filing, GST and accounting from the same team.
Offices in Kolkata (Head Office), Delhi and Bengaluru.
Documents move over WhatsApp and email, so we register companies in every state.
Call or WhatsApp +91 70444 94804, or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Answers reviewed by CS Gaurav Singh. For your own case, call or WhatsApp +91 70444 94804.
Still have questions?
Tell us about your case and our team will walk through it and outline next steps.
Talk to our team →Register your company
Tell us what you are building and who the owners are. We will recommend the structure, confirm the name options, and send the full fee in writing before any filing.
+91 70444 94804 · [email protected] · Kolkata (Head Office) · Delhi · Bengaluru
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