Company Registration in India: Choose and Register Online

Section 7 of the Companies Act, 2013 lays down how a company is incorporated. The founders file documents and declarations with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). New applications are processed centrally by the Central Registration Centre (CRC) of the MCA. When the Registrar is satisfied, it issues a Certificate of Incorporation. From that date, the company exists in law.

People also use "company registration" loosely for any business registration. Strictly, only companies and LLPs are registered with the MCA. Firms, societies and trusts are registered under state offices, and a proprietorship has no registration of its own. We cover all of them below so you can compare before deciding.

Key terms you will see

• SPICe+ (Form INC-32): the MCA web form used to reserve a name and incorporate a company. Part A covers the name. Part B covers incorporation.
• FiLLiP: the MCA form used to incorporate an LLP.
• DSC: a Digital Signature Certificate used to sign the forms online.
• DIN / DPIN: the identity number of a company director or an LLP designated partner.
• MoA and AoA: the Memorandum of Association (name, objects, capital) and the Articles of Association (internal rules) of a company.
• CIN / LLPIN: the unique identity number of a company or an LLP.

Benefits of registering your business

• Separate legal entity: a company or LLP owns assets and signs contracts in its own name.
• Limited liability: owners are not personally liable for business debts in normal cases.
• Perpetual succession: the entity continues even if an owner exits or dies.
• Funding: a company can issue shares, ESOPs and convertible notes to raise money.
• Credibility: clients, banks and payment gateways can verify you on official records.
• Government schemes: DPIIT startup recognition, tenders and many state schemes need a registered entity.
• Name protection: no other company or LLP can register the same or a too-similar name.

The MCA's own SPICe+ guide calls it an integrated web form offering ten services from three central bodies and two states. Related reforms, such as the nil fee for small capital and the combined Section 8 licence, are listed on the MCA ease of doing business page.

Who approves your registration

Companies and LLPs are approved by the Central Registration Centre of the MCA. Firms and societies go to the state Registrar, and trust deeds to the Sub-Registrar. A proprietor has no approving office and relies on Udyam, GST and local licences instead.

The table below compares all nine structures on the points founders ask about most. Read it with the short guide that follows.

How to choose in five questions

1. Is it for profit? If not, look at a Section 8 company, society or trust.
2. Will you raise equity or give ESOPs? Choose a Private Limited Company.
3. Are you alone? An OPC gives limited liability. A proprietorship is cheaper but carries personal risk.
4. Are you two or more professionals with no investor plans? An LLP is usually enough.
5. Do you want to raise money from the public or list later? Plan for a public limited company.

When registration becomes necessary

No law forces every business to be a company. But to work as a company, registration under the Companies Act is compulsory. Using "Limited" or "Private Limited" without it is an offence under Section 453. Many clients, marketplaces and tenders also ask for a registered entity. If you are unsure, start with a free call and our expert will compare costs for your case.

A Private Limited Company is the most common choice for founders who want to grow. It is defined in Section 2(68) of the Companies Act, 2013. It needs at least two shareholders and two directors, and can have up to 200 members. At least one director must stay in India for 182 days or more in the financial year, under Section 149(3).

Shares make ownership clear. You can bring in co-founders, angel investors and venture funds, and you can give ESOPs to staff. There is no minimum paid-up capital. Most founders start with ₹1 lakh authorised capital, which keeps the MCA filing fee at nil.

The trade-off is compliance. Every Pvt Ltd company needs a yearly audit, board meetings, an AGM and filings in AOC-4 and MGT-7 or MGT-7A, even with zero turnover. It must also file INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation. A domestic company can choose a flat 22% income tax rate (plus surcharge and cess) by giving up most deductions.

Choose it if: you plan to raise money, hire a team or build a brand that outlives the founders.

Next step: read the full guide on Private Limited Company Registration.

A One Person Company lets a single founder enjoy limited liability. It is defined in Section 2(62) and allowed by Section 3(1)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013. It has one member and at least one director. The member must name a nominee, who takes over the company if the member dies or becomes incapable.

Only a natural person who is an Indian citizen can form an OPC, whether resident in India or not. A person can form only one OPC. An OPC cannot be set up for charitable work under Section 8, and it cannot do non-banking finance investment activity.

Since a 2021 amendment to the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, an OPC no longer has to convert when its capital or turnover grows. You can convert it into a Private Limited Company whenever you add partners. An OPC does not need to hold an AGM, and one board meeting in each half of the year is enough under Section 173(5). It still needs a yearly audit and MCA returns.

OPC or Pvt Ltd? An OPC keeps one owner in full control with fewer meetings. You need a Pvt Ltd company once a co-founder, angel investor or ESOP pool comes in. Yearly costs are close, so the choice mostly turns on your ownership plans.

Choose it if: you are a single founder who wants company status and protection of personal assets.

Next step: read the full guide on OPC Registration.

An LLP mixes the flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability of a company. It is governed by the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. It needs at least two partners, with no upper limit. At least two designated partners must be individuals, and at least one of them must be resident in India, under Section 7. An LLP is a body corporate under its own Act. It is not a company under the Companies Act, and it cannot issue shares.

An LLP is incorporated on the MCA portal through the FiLLiP form. Partners then sign an LLP agreement that sets out capital, profit sharing and duties. The agreement is filed in Form 3 within 30 days of incorporation. Partners are liable only up to their agreed contribution, except in cases of fraud.

Yearly compliance is lighter than a company. An LLP files an annual return in Form 11 and a statement of accounts in Form 8. Audit is needed only when turnover crosses ₹40 lakh or contribution crosses ₹25 lakh, under Rule 24(8) of the LLP Rules, 2009. An LLP pays income tax at a flat 30% plus surcharge and cess.

Choose it if: you run a consultancy, agency or professional practice with partners and no plan to raise equity.

Next step: read the full guide on LLP Registration.

Both forms are quick and cheap to start, and neither is registered with the MCA. The owners carry unlimited personal liability, so they suit low-risk businesses.

Partnership firm

Two or more people who share business profits form a partnership under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932. The cap is 50 partners, under Rule 10 of the Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014. The partnership deed records capital, profit share and duties. It is stamped under your state stamp law.

Registration with the state Registrar of Firms under Section 58 is optional, but skipping it is risky. Section 69 stops an unregistered firm from suing a third party to enforce a contract. Each partner is liable jointly and severally for all firm debts. The firm has its own PAN and pays a flat 30% tax plus surcharge and cess. Read more on Partnership Firm Registration.

Sole proprietorship

A proprietorship is one person trading in his or her own name. No separate law or certificate exists, and profits are taxed at the owner's slab rates. The business is proved through other registrations: Udyam (MSME), GST, a shop and establishment licence and a current account. Udyam carries no government fee on the official Udyam portal.

Personal assets are at risk if the business owes money, and the business ends with the owner. Growing owners usually move to a Pvt Ltd company or an LLP later. Read more on Sole Proprietorship Registration.

Choose one if: you are a freelancer, shop or family business testing an idea, with low risk and no investor plans.

A Section 8 company is formed to promote commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, environment protection or similar objects. It is governed by Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. Its profits must be used only for its objects. It cannot pay any dividend to its members.

The licence and incorporation are now combined in the SPICe+ form, as the MCA notes. A private Section 8 company needs at least two members and two directors. It does not need to use "Limited" in its name. There is no minimum capital.

Compliance is close to a Pvt Ltd company: yearly audit, board meetings, AGM and MCA returns. The licence comes with conditions. If they are broken, the licence can be revoked. For tax exemption, the company must also register with the Income Tax Department as a charitable body.

Compared with a society or trust, a Section 8 company is seen as more transparent. Its filings are public on the MCA portal. That helps when you apply for CSR funds from companies.

Choose it if: you run an NGO that wants corporate governance and access to CSR funding.

Next step: read the full guide on Section 8 Company Registration.

A public limited company is a company that is not private. It needs at least seven members, under Section 3(1)(a), and at least three directors, under Section 149(1). There is no upper limit on members. Its name must end with "Limited".

The key difference is that a public company can invite the public to buy its shares and debentures. Its shares are freely transferable. It can list on a stock exchange after meeting SEBI rules. There is no minimum paid-up capital under the Companies Act today.

In return, compliance is the heaviest of all structures. Some public companies must appoint independent directors, a company secretary and committees, depending on size. Rules on related party deals, loans to directors and public deposits are stricter. Most small businesses start as a Pvt Ltd company and convert to public later, when they plan an IPO.

Choose it if: you need many shareholders, plan to list or have a business that must be a public company by regulation.

Next step: read the full guide on Public Limited Company Registration.

Three less common forms also register through SPICe+. Each has extra conditions, so we confirm scope and fee on a call before starting.

Nidhi company

A Nidhi is a public company that borrows from and lends only to its members, to build a saving habit. It is governed by Section 406 of the Companies Act and the Nidhi Rules, 2014. It needs at least seven members and three directors at the start. Within 120 days of incorporation, with 200 members and net owned funds of ₹20 lakh, it applies in Form NDH-4 to be declared a Nidhi (Nidhi Amendment Rules, 2022). It cannot take deposits from the public or run chit fund, hire purchase or insurance business.

Producer company

A producer company is owned by farmers, artisans or other primary producers. Its rules sit in Chapter XXIA of the Companies Act, 2013, added by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2020. Ten or more individual producers, or two or more producer institutions, can form one. Members share the surplus based on the produce they supply. It is the usual form for farmer producer organisations.

Indian subsidiary of a foreign company

A foreign company usually enters India through a wholly owned Pvt Ltd subsidiary, using the same SPICe+ process. It needs at least two directors, and one must have stayed in India for 182 days or more in the year (Section 149(3)). The investment must fit the sector rules of the FDI policy. Shares issued to the parent are reported to the RBI in Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotment. A branch or liaison office is a different route and files Form FC-1 with the MCA within 30 days of opening.

Many non-profits register under state law instead of with the MCA. Both forms can seek income tax exemption by registering with the Income Tax Department as a charitable body. Their filings are not on the MCA portal.

Society

Seven or more persons with a literary, scientific, charitable or similar aim can form a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. They sign a memorandum and rules and file them with the state Registrar of Societies. Many states have their own society Acts or amendments, so fees and forms vary.

Members elect a governing body, and the society's property vests in that body under Section 5. Under Section 6, the society sues or is sued in the name of its president, chairman or principal secretary. Section 4 needs a yearly list of governing body members to be filed with the Registrar. See Society Registration.

Trust

In a trust, a settlor hands property to trustees for a purpose or for named beneficiaries. Private trusts follow the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. Public charitable trusts follow state law in some states, such as Maharashtra, and a registered deed elsewhere. Under Section 5 of the Trusts Act, a trust of immovable property needs a registered written document or a will.

The deed names the settlor, trustees and objects, and sets out how trustees change. Stamp duty depends on the state. With no yearly MCA-style review, a few trustees keep tight control. See Trust Registration.

Choose a society for a member-run school, club or welfare group with elections. Choose a trust for a charity, religious body or family trust run by a small, stable board.

The name is often the slowest step, and capital choices are hard to undo. Settle both before filing.

Name rules in plain words

• A Pvt Ltd name ends with "Private Limited" and a public company with "Limited". An OPC adds "(OPC)" before "Private Limited". An LLP name ends with "LLP".
• The name must not match, or come too close to, an existing company, LLP or registered trademark (Section 4 and Rules 8, 8A and 8B of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014).
• Adding a plural, a space, "the" or a different tense does not make a name new.
• Offensive names, and names that suggest a link with the government, are refused.
• Words such as Bank, Insurance, Stock Exchange or Mutual Fund need a declaration that the regulator's rules are met. Words such as National, Board or Authority need Central Government approval.
• The name should hint at your real activity. A "Technologies" name for a trading firm invites a query.
• SPICe+ Part A lets you propose up to two names in one application.

Before filing, search MCA records and the trademark register on the IP India website. A company name and a brand name are not the same thing in law.

Share capital decisions before filing

• Authorised capital: the ceiling of shares the company may issue. Keeping it at ₹15 lakh or less keeps the MCA filing fee at nil.
• Subscribed capital: the shares the founders actually take. ₹1 lakh is common, and it can be lower.
• Face value: usually ₹10 a share. Some founders pick ₹1 so small stakes are easy to give later.
• Founder split: agree it before filing. Changing it later needs a share transfer with stamp duty, or a fresh allotment.
• Founder protections: vesting, right of first refusal and lock-in clauses can sit in the AoA or a founders' agreement.
• Share money: subscribers pay into the company bank account. The INC-20A declaration needs proof of this.

The list below covers a Pvt Ltd company, OPC, public company and Section 8 company. LLPs need almost the same set. Firms, societies and trusts need ID and address proofs of partners or members, plus their deed or memorandum. Each child guide has its exact list.

For each Indian director and shareholder

• PAN card (compulsory for Indian nationals)
• Aadhaar, or another ID such as voter ID, passport or driving licence
• Address proof not older than 2 months: bank statement, electricity, phone or mobile bill
• Passport-size photo
• Personal email ID and mobile number (each director needs their own)

For foreign nationals and NRIs

• Passport (compulsory)
• Address proof such as a bank statement, utility bill or residence card
• Notarisation and apostille, or consular attestation, of these documents

Setting up a foreign-owned subsidiary? See the special cases section above for the extra steps.

For the registered office

• Latest electricity, water, gas or phone bill, not older than 2 months
• No-objection certificate (NOC) from the owner
• Rent agreement if rented, or sale deed if owned

Prepared by us

• e-MoA (INC-33) and e-AoA (INC-34), or the LLP agreement
• Declaration by subscribers and first directors (INC-9)
• Consent to act as director (DIR-2)
• AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35) details for GST, EPFO, ESIC and bank account

Companies (Pvt Ltd, OPC, public and Section 8) all use SPICe+. LLPs follow a similar path through FiLLiP. Here is how we file a company online. You do not need to visit any office.

1. Free first call: our expert confirms the structure, owners, capital and state. You get the full fee in writing before work starts.
2. KYC check: you share PAN, ID, address proof, photo and office proof on WhatsApp or email. We check names, dates and addresses for mismatches.
3. DSC: each director gets a Digital Signature Certificate after video and OTP verification by a licensed certifying authority.
4. Name reservation: we search MCA and trademark records, then file SPICe+ Part A. The fee is ₹1,000. The MCA states an approved name is valid for 20 days. Rule 9A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 allows extension to 40 days for ₹1,000 and to 60 days for a further ₹2,000.
5. Brand versus legal name: the company name is your legal name. Your brand or trade name can be different, but only a trademark protects it.
6. MoA and AoA: we draft a clear main object clause that matches your business, and articles that suit your shareholding.
7. SPICe+ Part B: we enter capital, office, subscribers and directors. DIN is allotted here to up to three proposed directors. INC-9 and DIR-2 are generated and signed.
8. AGILE-PRO-S: we add EPFO, ESIC, professional tax where your state levies it, a bank account request and GSTIN if you need it now.
9. Payment and filing: forms are signed with DSCs, and the fee and stamp duty are paid on the MCA portal. You get an SRN to track it.
10. Registrar queries: if the CRC asks for changes, we fix and refile within the time given.
11. Certificate: the Certificate of Incorporation (INC-11) arrives by email with the CIN, PAN and TAN. No paper copy is needed.
12. Bank account and handover: you open the current account and get our checklist for the first 180 days.

Can you register a company yourself?

A founder can create an MCA login and fill SPICe+ alone. But Section 7(1)(b) of the Companies Act needs a declaration from an advocate, chartered accountant, cost accountant or company secretary in practice who is engaged in the formation. Self-filers also lose most time on name objections and resubmissions.

Usual timeline for a Pvt Ltd company

How to read and verify a CIN

A CIN has 21 characters, for example U72900UP2026PTC123456. "U" means unlisted, the five digits are the industry code, "UP" is the state, "2026" is the year, "PTC" means private company and the last six digits are the registration number. Anyone can check a company by name or CIN in the free "View Company or LLP Master Data" service on the MCA portal.

The MCA's own SPICe+ walkthrough explains Part A, Part B and the linked forms in this MCA SPICe+ guide (PDF).

These amounts go to the government or to third parties. They are not part of TaxCaller's fee. We pay them at actual on your behalf and share every receipt.

Why your state matters

• Stamp duty: each state sets its own duty on the MoA, AoA, share certificates and deeds.
• ROC jurisdiction: after incorporation, your company comes under the ROC of its state. Companies in Ghaziabad and Noida come under ROC Kanpur for Uttar Pradesh. Delhi and Gurgaon come under ROC Delhi, which covers Delhi and Haryana.
• Professional tax: states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal levy it. Delhi and Uttar Pradesh do not.
• Firms, societies and trusts: these are registered with state offices, so forms and fees differ by state.
• Shifting state later: moving a company's registered office to another state needs Regional Director approval under Section 13.

For a typical startup with ₹1 lakh authorised capital, the MCA filing fee is nil. The main government cost is the name fee and state stamp duty. We tell you the exact figure for your state on the first call.

TaxCaller's fee covers our professional work only, and it is always charged + GST. TaxCaller's fee is ₹3,999 + GST for the Basic Private Limited Company plan. Government fees (name fee, MCA filing fee if any, stamp duty, PAN and TAN fees, and state fees for deeds) are paid separately at actual. Nothing is added later without your approval.

Starting professional fee (+ GST), government fee extra

You can compare all options, with what each plan includes, in the cards above. Each guide then lists its higher plans in full.

Private Limited Company plans

Pay on Proof

On the Basic plan, you can pay 38% (₹1,520) to start the work. You pay the balance (₹2,479) only after the government issues your CIN.

When the fee can be higher

Starting fees assume a standard case. More than two directors, foreign directors or shareholders, capital above ₹15 lakh, or a Nidhi, producer company or foreign subsidiary need extra work. Our expert writes the exact fee for such cases before work starts. Government fees always stay separate. Yearly compliance such as ROC returns and bookkeeping is a separate service: see accounting and bookkeeping.

Registration is the start. The table gives an overview of the main yearly duties. Each child guide covers them in detail.

First 180 days for a new company

• Registered office in place within 30 days of incorporation (Section 12(1)).
• First board meeting within 30 days (Section 173(1)).
• First auditor appointed by the board within 30 days (Section 139(6)).
• Share certificates within 2 months (Section 56(4)(a)).
• Commencement of business declaration INC-20A within 180 days (Section 10A).

Key penalties

Under Section 446B, OPCs, small companies and startup companies pay at most half of these penalties (not the additional fees), capped at ₹2 lakh for the company and ₹1 lakh for an officer. The ROC can strike off a company that does not start business within a year, under Section 248(1).

Tax filings run alongside: income tax returns, quarterly TDS returns and GST returns once you hold a GSTIN. Tax rules are on the Income Tax Department website.

Most delays come from a short list of avoidable errors.

• Wrong structure: starting as a proprietorship and then needing investors means a costly change later.
• Weak name: a dictionary word or a name close to a known brand gets rejected.
• Old address proof: bills older than two months are not accepted.
• Owner mismatch: the NOC must be signed by the person named on the bill or deed.
• Name spelling: PAN, Aadhaar and DSC must show the same name and date of birth.
• Vague objects: the main object should describe your real business in plain words.
• Regulated activity: lending, insurance or chit funds need regulator approval first.
• Too much capital: high authorised capital raises stamp duty for no benefit.
• Shared contact details: each director needs a personal mobile number and email.
• No resident director: a board made only of people living abroad does not meet Section 149(3).
• Forgetting INC-20A: founders often skip the bank deposit proof and face penalties.
• Unregistered firm: partners skip registration and later cannot sue a defaulting client.

We check each of these before filing, so most of our files clear on the first or second submission.

Changing your structure later

• OPC to Pvt Ltd: allowed at any time by altering the MoA and AoA and filing Form INC-6 (Rule 6, Companies (Incorporation) Rules).
• Pvt Ltd to public: a special resolution and altered articles under Section 14. The company stays the same legal person, so its PAN and contracts continue.
• Firm or company to LLP: a firm, private company or unlisted public company can convert under Sections 55 to 57 of the LLP Act, read with its Second to Fourth Schedules.
• Firm to company: a firm can register as a company under Section 366 of the Companies Act.
• Proprietorship to company or LLP: there is no direct route. The new entity takes over the business by agreement.

Each change costs fees, stamp duty and fresh registrations. Picking the right form at the start is cheaper.

These official changes affect businesses registered in 2026. We follow the rules in force today and update this page when new ones are notified.

1. Director KYC moved to once in three years

The Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 943(E), dated 31 December 2025) replaced the yearly DIR-3 KYC from 31 March 2026. Directors now file KYC once every three financial years, by 30 June. Any change in mobile, email or address must be updated within 30 days.

2. New Income-tax Act from 1 April 2026

The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from 1 April 2026. It uses "tax year" in place of previous year and assessment year. The 22% option for domestic companies, earlier in section 115BAA, is in section 200 of the new Act from tax year 2026-27. Returns for financial year 2025-26 are still governed by the 1961 Act.

3. Revised startup definition

DPIIT notification G.S.R. 108(E), dated 4 February 2026, revised the startup definition. A Pvt Ltd company, LLP, registered partnership firm or eligible cooperative can be recognised for up to 10 years from incorporation, if turnover has not crossed ₹200 crore in any year. A new deep tech category can stay recognised for up to 20 years, with a ₹300 crore turnover limit.

4. Higher small company limits apply to 2026 filings

From 1 December 2025, G.S.R. 880(E) raised the small company limits to ₹10 crore paid-up capital and ₹100 crore turnover. In 2026, more companies can file MGT-7A, hold two board meetings a year and pay lower penalties under Section 446B.

5. Proposed incorporation reforms (draft)

In April 2026 the MCA published draft Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2026 for public comment. The draft proposes DIN for up to five directors in SPICe+, no separate DIR-12 for first directors and optional EPFO and ESIC at incorporation. As of November 2026 we have not seen them notified as final rules. Until they are, the current three-DIN limit applies.

• A real, registered firm: TaxCaller is run by TaxCaller India LLP (LLPIN AAQ-7388) and has served clients since 2018.
• Honest structure advice: we suggest the structure that fits your plans, even when it is a cheaper one.
• Fee told upfront: you see our fee and the government fees separately before any work starts.
• Pay on Proof: on the Basic Pvt Ltd plan, most of our fee is paid only after your CIN is issued.
• Expert review: this page and our process are reviewed by Abhinay Rai, Advocate.
• One expert, start to finish: the same person handles your DSC, name, filing and queries.
• Fully online: share documents on WhatsApp or email and sign with your DSC from anywhere. Our office is in Ghaziabad.

Have a question first? Contact us for a free call with our expert.

Most new businesses need a few more registrations in the first months. Each has its own page.

• GST Registration: needed once turnover crosses the limit, or for interstate and online sales. See the GST portal for official rules.
• MSME (Udyam) Registration: free registration that helps with loans, tenders and delayed payment protection.
• Trademark Registration: protects your brand name and logo. A company name alone does not.
• Accounting and Bookkeeping: monthly books that make the yearly audit easy.
• GST Return Filing: monthly or quarterly returns once you have a GSTIN.
• TDS Return Filing: quarterly returns using the TAN issued with your certificate.
• Income Tax Filing: the yearly return of your company, LLP or firm.
• FSSAI Registration: needed if your business makes, stores or sells food.
• Free tools: quick checks before you pick a name or file.