Business Registration in India
Company registration in India is done online through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). You can register a Private Limited Company, One Person Company (OPC), LLP or Section 8 Company from anywhere in the country, without visiting a government office. Companies are incorporated through the MCA’s SPICe+ system, while LLPs follow the MCA’s LLP incorporation process. The core process is the same in every state, though state stamp duty and the registrations you need after incorporation vary.
Kanakkupillai’s CA and CS team has helped businesses register and stay compliant since 2007. We are headquartered in Chennai, with a second office in Tiruvannamalai, and we handle registrations online for founders across India.
Which Business Structure Should You Register?
Business registration covers several structures. Private Limited Companies, OPCs and Section 8 Companies are incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, while LLPs, partnerships and sole proprietorships follow different registration or compliance frameworks.
| Structure | Best suited for | Minimum directors / members | Registered / incorporated with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company registration | Startups and growing businesses that may raise funding, issue ESOPs or add shareholders | At least 2 directors and 2 shareholders | MCA under the Companies Act, 2013 |
| One Person Company registration | A single founder who wants a company structure with limited liability | At least 1 director; 1 member and 1 nominee | MCA under the Companies Act, 2013 |
| LLP registration | Professional firms, agencies and consultancies wanting limited liability with a flexible partnership structure | At least 2 designated partners, at least 1 of them resident in India | MCA under the LLP Act, 2008 |
| Section 8 Company registration | Non-profit activities, charitable objects, social welfare and other permitted Section 8 objects | As a private company: at least 2 directors and 2 members. As a public company: at least 3 directors and 7 members |
MCA under the Companies Act, 2013 |
| Indian subsidiary registration | Foreign companies setting up an Indian company | At least 2 directors (at least 1 resident in India) and 2 shareholders | MCA under the Companies Act, 2013 |
| Partnership firm registration | Small businesses run by two or more partners | At least 2 partners | Governed by the Indian Partnership Act, 1932; may be registered with the state Registrar of Firms |
| Sole proprietorship registration | A single owner starting a small business | 1 owner | No separate company incorporation; GST, Udyam and other registrations or licences may apply depending on the business |
Not sure which one fits? Our experts can compare them for your plans in a short call.
Key Benefits of Company Registration in India
- Separate Legal Entity: A registered company has its own legal existence separate from its founders and shareholders, allowing it to own property, incur debts, and sue or be sued in its own name.
- Limited Liability Protection: Shareholders' personal assets are legally shielded. Liability is strictly limited to the unpaid amount on shares held by them.
- Unlocks Venture Capital & Angel Funding: Venture capitalists, angel investors, and financial institutions almost exclusively invest in Private Limited Companies due to defined share capital and corporate governance.
- Employee Stock Options (ESOPs): Attract and retain top talent by granting stock ownership through ESOP pools.
- Perpetual Succession: The company continues to exist indefinitely regardless of changes in directors, management, or shareholding.
- Enhanced Business Credibility: Vendors, enterprise clients, international partners, and banks prefer doing business with an incorporated entity with public MCA filings.
Mandatory Compliances & Registrations After You Incorporate
Incorporation is the first step. Depending on your business activity, turnover, premises, and location state, you must complete the following statutory post-incorporation milestones:
| Compliance / Registration | Statutory Deadline | Legal Requirement & Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A) | Within 180 days of incorporation | Every company having share capital must file Form INC-20A with proof of capital subscription deposit. A company cannot start operations or borrow money before filing INC-20A. |
| Appointment of First Statutory Auditor (Form ADT-1) | Within 30 days of incorporation | The Board of Directors must appoint an independent Chartered Accountant / audit firm to conduct statutory audits until the conclusion of the first AGM. |
| GST Registration | Before commencing taxable supplies (or upon crossing turnover threshold) | Mandatory for e-commerce sellers, interstate suppliers, or businesses crossing the aggregate turnover threshold (₹20/40 Lakhs). |
| State Registrations (Shops & Est, PT, Trade License) | Within 30 days of opening premises | Varies by state and municipal corporation. Includes state Professional Tax (PT) employer/employee enrollment and local municipal licenses. |
| Udyam (MSME) Registration | Optional / Recommended | Provides collateral-free bank loans under CGTMSE, priority sector lending, lower interest rates, and 50% discount on trademark government fees. |
| Annual ROC Compliances | Annually (AOC-4, MGT-7, DIR-3 KYC) | Mandatory filing of audited financial statements, annual returns, and annual director KYC to avoid heavy per-day MCA penalties and disqualification. |
Documents Required for Company Registration in India
To ensure quick approval without CRC resubmissions, prepare clear, scanned self-attested copies of the following documents for all proposed directors, subscribers, and the registered office address.
| Category | Mandatory Documents | Requirements & Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Directors & Subscribers |
|
All documents must be clear, readable, and self-attested. Names and dates of birth must strictly match PAN database records. |
| Registered Office in India |
|
Can be commercial or residential premises. Physical verification may be conducted; exact address must match utility bill. |
| Foreign Directors & Subscribers |
|
Documents must be notarised, apostilled (for Hague Convention countries), or consularised by the Indian Embassy, depending on country of origin. |
Quick Document Checklist Summary
- Identity Proof: PAN Card (Indian Nationals) or Passport (Foreign Nationals).
- Residential Address Proof: Bank statement or utility bill (under 2 months old).
- Registered Office Proof: Electricity bill / property tax receipt + Rent Agreement + Owner NOC.
- Specimen Signature & Consent: Form DIR-2 (Consent to act as Director) and Form INC-9 declaration.
How Company Registration Works in India
Company incorporation applications filed through the integrated SPICe+ system are processed centrally by the MCA’s Central Registration Centre (CRC). After incorporation, the company falls under the Registrar of Companies (RoC) that has jurisdiction over its registered office state. Our state guides explain the specific RoC jurisdiction and required state-level registrations for each state.
- Step 1: Choose your business structure and company name
We conduct a comprehensive preliminary check of your proposed name against existing company, LLP, and registered trademark records on the IP India and MCA portals to avoid conflicts. Final name approval rests with the MCA. - Step 2: Obtain Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs)
Obtain Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for the proposed directors and subscribers. These are mandatory to electronically sign the online incorporation forms and statutory filings. - Step 3: Reserve company name via SPICe+ Part A
Reserve the proposed company name through the SPICe+ Part A web service, either as a standalone pre-approval application or filed jointly with the complete incorporation application. - Step 4: File SPICe+ Part B with linked statutory forms
Complete and upload SPICe+ Part B alongside the electronic Memorandum of Association (e-MOA, Form INC-33), electronic Articles of Association (e-AOA, Form INC-34), and linked registrations including:- DIN allotment for directors (up to 3 directors)
- Mandatory PAN and TAN application
- EPFO and ESIC employer registrations
- Mandatory corporate bank account opening application
- Applicable state registrations (e.g., Professional Tax, Shops & Establishment depending on the state)
- Step 5: Certificate of Incorporation issued by CRC (MCA)
Upon verification and approval by the Central Registration Centre (CRC), the Registrar of Companies issues the official Certificate of Incorporation (COI) containing the Corporate Identification Number (CIN), permanent PAN, and TAN.
How Long Does Company Registration Take?
Incorporation timelines depend on document readiness, name approval uniqueness, MCA processing volume, and whether any CRC query or resubmission is required. Our typical turnaround for a straightforward application is 7 to 10 working days after receiving all verified documents, subject to MCA CRC approval timelines.
Company Registration Fees in India
Kanakkupillai offers transparent, upfront Private Limited Company registration packages uniform across all Indian states. Government statutory charges, state stamp duties, and GST (18%) are additional as applicable.
| Package | Professional Fee | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹4,372 + GST & govt fees |
|
| Essential Most Popular |
₹6,022 + GST & govt fees |
|
| Advance Complete 1st Year Compliance |
₹21,614 + GST & govt fees |
|
Government and Statutory Charges Breakdown
| Statutory Component | Official MCA / Government Fee | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Name Reservation (SPICe+ Part A) | ₹1,000 | Applicable when reserving name as a separate pre-application with 2 proposed names and 1 resubmission chance. |
| SPICe+ Incorporation Filing Fee | ₹0 (NIL) | The Central Government waives MCA filing fees for companies with authorised capital up to ₹15 Lakhs. |
| PAN and TAN Application | Included in SPICe+ | Applicable nominal charges paid directly within the unified MCA payment gateway. |
| State Stamp Duty | State-specific (₹1,000 to ₹10,000+) | Charged by the respective state government based on authorized share capital and location of registered office. |
Please Note: A 'Nil' MCA filing fee does not mean incorporation is completely free. State stamp duty on MOA/AOA, name reservation fees (where applicable), DSC token costs, and professional filing fees apply unless included in your package.
Registering an OPC or LLP instead?
- One Person Company (OPC): Starts from ₹4,372 + GST and government statutory charges.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Starts from ₹4,558 + GST and government statutory charges.
Directory: Company Registration by State
Explore our comprehensive state guides covering local RoC jurisdictions, specific state stamp duty tariffs, and local municipal registrations:
Company Registration by Cities Across India
Quick access to city-specific company incorporation services, local trade permits, and registration guidance:
Frequently asked questions
Our Private Limited Company registration packages start at ₹4,372 (Basic), plus GST and applicable government charges. The MCA incorporation filing fee may be nil for eligible companies with authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh, but state stamp duty, name reservation fees where charged and DSC costs are separate unless included in your package. See the fee table above for what each package includes.
Choose a business structure and name, obtain DSCs for the proposed directors and subscribers where required, reserve the name and file SPICe+ with the MOA and AOA on the MCA portal. Once approved, you receive a Certificate of Incorporation with the company’s CIN, PAN and TAN.
Yes. Company incorporation is completed online through the MCA portal, without visiting a government office. Documents are signed with Digital Signature Certificates.
The timeline varies with document readiness, name approval, MCA processing and whether any resubmission is needed. Our typical turnaround for a straightforward application is 7–10 working days after we receive complete documents, subject to MCA processing and resubmission requirements.
Not always. “Business registration” covers any way of formally setting up a business, such as a sole proprietorship, a partnership firm, an LLP or a company. Company registration means incorporating a Private Limited Company, OPC or Section 8 Company with the MCA under the Companies Act, 2013, which creates a separate legal entity.
For a company, the two terms describe the same step: forming the company with the MCA and receiving a Certificate of Incorporation.
It depends on your plans. A Private Limited Company suits startups that want to raise investment, offer ESOPs or bring in co-founders. An OPC suits a single founder, and an LLP suits agencies and professional firms that want lighter compliance. Talk to our experts for a recommendation based on your business.
Yes. A foreign company or individual can set up a Private Limited Company in India, subject to the foreign investment rules for the sector, with at least one director resident in India as defined under the Companies Act, 2013.
