Company Registration in Howrah
Sheffield of India - incorporate across the river from Kolkata.
Howrah is one of eastern India's great industrial engines - the historic "Sheffield of India", home to a dense base of engineering, iron and steel, jute and manufacturing units around Shibpur, Liluah, Bally and Dasnagar. Sitting across the Hooghly from Kolkata as its twin city, Howrah combines industrial depth with low set-up costs. Regikart is headquartered minutes away in Kolkata, so we handle your Howrah incorporation with genuine ROC Kolkata familiarity.
- How long
- 7-14 working days, subject to MCA name approval and document accuracy.
- Indicative cost
- West Bengal has among the lowest stamp duty in India - government charges from about ₹513 (₹1 lakh authorised capital) + professional fee.
- You receive
- Certificate of Incorporation, company PAN & TAN, DIN & DSC, eMOA/eAOA. We also handle the HMC trade licence and WB Professional Tax.
- Jurisdiction
- ROC Kolkata (covers West Bengal, Sikkim and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands) - the same registrar as Kolkata.
From ₹1,499
+ government fees
7-10 days
to incorporation
CA-filed
MCA incorporation
Built for Howrah founders.
- Regikart is headquartered in neighbouring Kolkata - minutes across the river.
- West Bengal stamp duty is among India's lowest (Rs 513 on Rs 1 lakh capital).
- Local differentiator: the HMC (Howrah Municipal Corporation) trade licence, which we handle.
What a Pvt Ltd costs in Howrah.
All-in for two directors and ₹1 lakh authorised capital. Stamp duty is set by West Bengal, so the total differs from other states.
| Regikart fee | ₹1,499 |
| DSC (2 directors) | ₹4,000 |
| Name approval | ₹1,000 |
| West Bengal stamp duty * | ₹513 |
| Total (approx.) | ₹7,012 |
* For ₹1 lakh authorised capital. Scales with capital and differs for OPC / LLP. Re-quoted in your engagement letter.
Types of company you can register
Choosing the right structure at the outset saves cost and compliance friction later. The most common options we register for founders here:
| Structure | Best for | Minimum members | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company | Startups planning to raise funds | 2 directors / 2 shareholders | Investor-ready, limited liability |
| One Person Company (OPC) | Solo founders wanting a company | 1 director + nominee | Single-owner corporate shield |
| Limited Liability Partnership | Partners not seeking equity funding | 2 partners | Lower compliance, audit exemption below thresholds |
| Section 8 Company | Non-profits / social enterprises | 2 directors | Charitable objects, tax benefits |
| Partnership Firm | Simple joint ventures | 2 partners | Easiest to form, unlimited liability |
Everything you need to incorporate in Howrah.
Serving founders across Howrah.
We incorporate companies anywhere in the Howrah district - with hands-on experience across the city's key commercial zones.
From application to Certificate in Howrah - 8 steps.
Apply for Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Class 3 DSC issued by a Certifying Authority after video KYC. Time: 1-2 working days.
Reserve company name (SPICe+ Part A)
Up to 2 names per application. Typically approved in 2-4 working days.
Draft MOA and AOA
The Memorandum defines your business objects; the Articles set internal governance rules.
File SPICe+ Part B with AGILE-PRO
Integrated form covering 8 services - incorporation, DIN, PAN, TAN, EPFO and ESIC.
ROC verification & Certificate of Incorporation
COI issued with CIN, PAN and TAN, usually 3-7 working days after submission.
PAN, TAN & bank account
PAN and TAN are auto-allotted. Open your current account using the COI, MOA and AOA.
First board meeting & ADT-1
Hold within 30 days of COI and appoint your statutory auditor via ADT-1.
File INC-20A within 180 days
Declaration of Commencement of Business. Penalty of ₹50,000 if missed.
Local note - ROC Kolkata jurisdiction
Howrah companies, like all of West Bengal, are registered through the ROC Kolkata at Nizam Palace, 234/4 Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata 700020. Incorporation is identical to Kolkata; only the municipal trade licence differs - Howrah uses the HMC (Howrah Municipal Corporation) licence, not KMC.
West Bengal & Howrah steps national portals skip
Incorporation is identical to Kolkata, but the local municipal licence differs. Two West Bengal-specific obligations catch Howrah founders out:
HMC trade licence (not KMC)
Businesses in Howrah need a Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) trade licence - distinct from Kolkata's KMC licence. Using a Kolkata-focused provider often means this gets missed. We obtain the correct HMC licence as part of your incorporation.
West Bengal Professional Tax
Companies in West Bengal register for state Professional Tax (enrolment, and registration once you employ staff), with periodic PT returns even in nil months. We register and calendar these at incorporation.
Among India's lowest stamp duty
West Bengal levies among the lowest incorporation stamp duty in India (from about ₹513 on ₹1 lakh authorised capital), so registering in Howrah is materially cheaper than in Maharashtra or Karnataka.
What we'll need from you.
We pre-check every scan before filing - it cuts rejections by ~90%.
From every director & subscriber
- Self-attested PAN card (mandatory)
- Aadhaar card (mobile linked)
- Identity proof - Passport, Voter ID or Driving Licence
- Address proof - bank statement / utility bill (≤ 2 months)
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Email ID & mobile number (for DSC OTP)
For the registered office
- Latest utility bill (electricity / gas / phone, ≤ 2 months)
- NOC from the property owner
- Rent agreement (if rented) or sale deed (if owned)
A residential address is acceptable as your registered office in Howrah with an NOC from the owner.
What you'll owe after registration.
Your Year 1 compliance calendar is included - we file each form on time.
| When | What | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Within 30 days of COI | First board meeting + appoint auditor | ADT-1 |
| Within 30 days of COI | Open current account + deposit fees | Bank |
| Within 60 days | Issue share certificates | SH-1 |
| Within 180 days of COI | Declaration of Commencement of Business | INC-20A |
| By 30 September annually | Director KYC for all directors | DIR-3 KYC |
| Within 30 days of AGM | File financial statements | AOC-4 |
| Within 60 days of AGM | Annual return | MGT-7/7A |
| By 31 October | Statutory audit + income-tax return | ITR-6 |
Post-incorporation compliance in the first year
Incorporation is the start, not the finish. In your first year a Howrah company must, at minimum:
- File INC-20A (declaration of commencement of business) within 180 days.
- Appoint a statutory auditor within 30 days of incorporation.
- Obtain and maintain the HMC (Howrah Municipal Corporation) trade licence.
- File West Bengal Professional Tax returns periodically, even with nil liability.
- Register for GST if turnover or business type requires it, and file annual ROC returns (AOC-4, MGT-7/7A).
Company registration in Howrah - your questions.
Still unsure how to register your Howrah business? Book a free 20-minute consult and a senior CA will walk you through it.
Still have questions?
Book a free 20-minute consult with a senior partner - we'll walk through your case and outline next steps.
Talk to a partner →Company registration across India.
Incorporate your Howrah company this week.
A senior CA confirms the right structure and starts your filing, usually within 24 hours.