Last Updated on June 4, 2026
Many business owners assume they have met all requirements upon successfully incorporating a Private Limited Company in India; however, numerous post-incorporation obligations under the Companies Act, 2013 must be met within prescribed timelines. A failure to meet the legal requirements could result in severe consequences.
The purpose of this guide is to outline the full list of mandatory post-incorporation compliance obligations of Private Limited Companies.
Post-Incorporation Compliance Checklist for Private Limited Company
1) Hold Board of Directors Meeting Immediately
Time Required: 30 Days Following The Date Of Incorporation
Mandatory as per Section 173(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, and the directors may attend the meeting physically or by way of video conference.
2) Notification of Registered Office (INC-22)
Timeline: Within 30 days of Incorporation
A Company needs to have its Registered Office (where a Company can receive communications) established and confirmed by filing INC-22 with the MCA 30 days from the date of Incorporation.
3) Declaration of Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)
Timeline: Within 180 days from the date of incorporation
Every company formed after November 2, 2018, must file INC-20A under Section 10 of the Companies Act (amended in 2018).
To be compliant with INC-20A requirements, the share capital must be deposited into the company’s bank account and paid by the subscribers as outlined in the company’s Memorandum of Association (MOA). The directors must also certify that all subscribers have made their required payment.
If a company fails to file its Form INC-20A on time, it will incur a penalty based on how late the form is filed:
- 0-30 days late: 2 times the normal filing fee
- 31-60 days late: 4 times the normal filing fee
- 61-90 days late: 6 times the normal filing fee
- 91-180 days late: 10 times the normal filing fee
- More than 180 days late: 12 times the normal filing fee.
4) Appointment of First Auditor
Timeline: Within 30 days from the date of incorporation
Under Section 139(6) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of Directors is required to appoint its first auditor, who must be a Chartered Accountant (CA) in practice.
5) Issue of Share Certificates
Timeline: Within 60 days from the date of incorporation or the date of issuing the share certificate
Under Section 56(2) of the Companies Act and Section 46, the company is obligated to issue share certificates to shareholders within 60 days of incorporation (for those who subscribed) or within 60 days of the date that the shares were issued.
Penalties: Failure to comply with the above can subject the company to penalties between ₹25,000 and ₹5,00,000.
6) Opening of a Current Bank Account
Timeline: Before/Shortly Post Incorporation
Prior to transacting or opening bank accounts as a corporate entity, each new company must open a current bank account with any scheduled/nationalized/, or private bank in its corporate name. Transactions can only occur through the company’s legal entity; therefore, no individual will have the ability to conduct any transaction under any natural person’s name.
7) Statutory Registers and Minutes Books
Timeline: Ongoing Following Incorporation
Pursuant to the requirements of the Companies Act, every corporation can maintain certain required statutory registers at its registered office after the date of incorporation:
Registers to be Maintained:
- Register of Members (MGT-1)
- Register of Directors & Key Managerial Personnel (DIR-12 Register)
- Register of Contracts and Arrangements
- Minutes Book of Corporate Board Meetings and Corporate General Meetings
- Penalties will be assessed for failure to maintain required statutory registers.
8) Company Seal, Letterhead and Website Information
- Company Seal: A company seal should be obtained for the purpose of authenticating certain documents.
- Letterhead: Company letterhead must include at a minimum a Companies Identification Number (CIN), the address of the company’s registered office, and the company’s email address/contact number.
- Website: Where a company has a website, the following information must be clearly displayed on its home page: name of the company; address of the registered office; CIN; contact telephone number; email address; and name of the contact person
9) GST Registration and Other Licenses
- GST Registration: An individual who is responsible for registering for GST under Section 25(1) of the CGST Act must apply for GST registration within 30 days from the date the liability for registration arises.
Other licenses that may be required post-registration (some may also have timeframes associated with their completion – refer to business needs):
- Shop and Establishment Registration (complete 30 days after commencing business)
- Import/Export Code (IEC) (required if you import or export goods)
- Startup India registration
- Trademark registration
10) Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC)
Frequency of Filing: Once Every 3 Years (Update For Requirement 2026)
Important DIR 3 KYC Form Update 2026 – The KYC filing requirement has changed from annual filing to a KYC intimation every 3 years, effective March 31, 2026.
11) Annual Compliance – Ongoing
Frequency of filing for annual compliance of private limited company: Every Financial Year
First AGM – The first Annual General Meeting must be held within 18 months of incorporation or within 9 months of the end of your first financial year, whichever occurs first.
Form |
Purpose | Timeline |
| AOC-4 | Financial Statements | Within 30 days of AGM |
| MGT-7/MGT-7A | Annual Return | Within 60 days of AGM |
12) Event-Based Compliances
Timeline: 15-30 days depending on event
Event-based compliances are triggered by specific corporate actions:
| Event | Form | Deadline |
| Director Appointment/Resignation | DIR-12 | 30 Days |
| Share Allotment | PAS-3 | 30 Days |
| Change in Registered Office | INC-22 | 15 Days |
| Loan/Charge Creation | CHG-1 | 30 Days |
| Significant Beneficial Ownership Change | BEN-2 | 30 Days |
13) Report a Significant Beneficial Owner (SBO)
Timeframe: 30 days from the date the information is received.
If a body corporate has invested in an entity or a person holds a beneficial interest in shares, the company must submit reports to MCA on beneficial owners. Companies must file Form BEN-2 with respect to benefits from the declaration received in the form of investment or beneficial interest in shares within 30 days of receiving the declarations.
14) FEMA Compliance (if applicable)
Timeframe: 30 days from the date of issue of shares
If a foreign subsidiary (wholly owned) or foreign national invests in India, the company will be required to file Form FCGPR with the Reserve Bank of India, along with any necessary supporting documents, 30 days after the date of issue of shares.
Conclusion
The compliance requirements of a post-incorporation business are mandated by law (i.e., Companies Act of 2013), and the failure to comply could result in:
- Financial Penalties (even potentially large)
- Disqualification of a Director
- Legal Proceedings
- Removal of the Company from the ROC
To maintain compliance, an entrepreneur should create a compliance calendar and hire qualified consultants to assist with all required filings via the MCA portal in a timely manner; to maintain investor confidence, the trust of banks, and the trust of regulatory authorities, it is critical to be in compliance so that smooth operations continue for the company.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1: What is the deadline for filing Form INC-20A?
Form INC-20A must be filed within 180 days from the date of incorporation.
2: When must the first Board Meeting be held?
The first Board Meeting must be held within 30 days of incorporation.
3: When should share certificates be issued to shareholders?
Share certificates must be issued within 60 days from the date of incorporation or share allotment.
4: When must the first auditor be appointed?
The first auditor must be appointed within 30 days of incorporation by the Board of Directors.
5: How often do directors need to file KYC in 2026?
Directors now file KYC once every 3 years instead of annually. The next KYC is due by June 30, 2028.
