Pvt Ltd Company Registration Online @ ₹1,499 | LegalPehchan

Private Limited Company registration online in India is a digital incorporation process handled through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal using the SPICe+ (INC-32) web form. It requires at least two directors, two shareholders, Digital Signature Certificates (DSC), and registered office proof, typically taking 7 to 10 working days to generate your Certificate of Incorporation, PAN, and TAN.

Quick incorporation readiness checklist (2026):

• Minimum people: 2 Directors (at least 1 Indian resident) and 2 Shareholders (can be the same two people).

• Identity proofs: PAN Card (mandatory for Indian nationals) and Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence.

• Address proofs: Personal bank statement, electricity bill, or mobile bill (not older than 60 days).

• Office proof: Utility bill for the premises (within 60 days) plus a signed NOC from the property owner.

• Core filing form: SPICe+ (INC-32) integrated with e-MOA (INC-33), e-AOA (INC-34), and AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35) on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal.

• Statutory fee for small companies: Zero MCA incorporation fee for companies with authorized capital up to Rs. 15 lakh (state stamp duty, PAN/TAN charges, and DSC costs still apply).

What is a Private Limited Company?

A Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) is a privately held business entity incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013. It restricts the right to transfer its shares, limits the number of its members to 200 (excluding present and past employees), and prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company.

Private Limited Company meaning

In practical day-to-day terms, a Private Limited Company is a legal wall between your business risks and your personal bank account. defined under Section 2(68) of the Companies Act, 2013, the company exists as an independent juridical person. Ownership is divided into shares held by members, while daily operations are run by directors. Because the shares are privately held and cannot be traded on public stock exchanges like the NSE or BSE, founders retain tight control over who enters the cap table.

Private Limited Company example

Suppose two software engineers in Jaipur launch a SaaS product and incorporate as "NextWave Techlabs Private Limited" with Rs. 1,00,000 in paid-up capital, splitting 10,000 shares of Rs. 10 each equally (50% each). Six months later, an angel investor wants to invest Rs. 50 lakh for a 10% stake. The company issues fresh shares to the investor without disturbing the legal existence of the business, and the contracts signed by NextWave Techlabs Private Limited remain in the company's name rather than the personal names of the engineers.

Who should register a Private Limited Company?

Use this quick checklist to see if this structure fits your immediate business plan:

• Startup founders raising equity capital: Venture capitalists, angel networks, and incubators almost exclusively fund Pvt Ltd entities because equity issuance and preference share structuring are legally straightforward.

• Growing small businesses and agencies: IT firms, digital marketing agencies, and manufacturing units signing high-value corporate contracts where clients demand a CIN and corporate liability cover.

• E-commerce and D2C brands: Sellers scaling across Amazon, Flipkart, or quick-commerce platforms who need dedicated brand ownership, inventory financing, and clean banking lines.

• Freelancers and consultants scaling into teams: Solo operators bringing on a co-founder or family member to move away from personal tax exposure and unlimited proprietorship liability.

• Existing proprietorships and partnerships: Traditional traders or service firms hitting revenue ceilings where banks or institutional buyers require a formal corporate body.

Why register a Private Limited Company?

Registering a Private Limited Company gives your business legal permanence, shields your personal wealth from trade creditors, and creates a share structure that investors and lenders trust.

Benefits of Private Limited Company registration

1. Perpetual succession: The company continues to exist regardless of changes in shareholding, director resignations, or the death of a founder.

2. Tax efficiency: Domestic companies can opt for a flat 22% corporate income tax rate under Section 115BAA of the Income Tax Department rules (effective rate roughly 25.17% including surcharge and cess), provided they do not claim specific exemptions.

3. Startup India eligibility: A Pvt Ltd company can apply for DPIIT recognition on the Startup India portal, opening access to Section 80-IAC tax holidays, self-certification under labour laws, and faster patent examination.

4. ESOP creation: Only companies can issue Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) to attract and retain senior engineering or sales talent without burning early-stage cash.

Limited liability protection

If your business faces a lawsuit or defaults on a commercial debt, your personal savings, house, and vehicle cannot be seized to pay off company creditors (absent personal guarantees or proven fraud). A shareholder's financial liability is strictly capped at the unpaid face value of the shares they hold. If you hold 5,000 fully paid shares of Rs. 10 each, your maximum statutory liability toward company debt is Rs. 0.

Separate legal identity

Once incorporated, the company can buy land, rent commercial space, hold intellectual property, sue, and be sued in its own name. Even if you own 99% of the shares, the law treats the company's assets and bank balances as belonging to the company, not to you personally.

Easy funding and investment

Banks prefer lending to Private Limited Companies because every charge created on company assets is publicly indexed on the MCA portal via Form CHG-1. Equity investors prefer it because they can subscribe to Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) or equity shares with clear shareholder agreement rights.

Better business credibility

Every incorporated company is listed in the public MCA Master Data. When an enterprise client, vendor, or foreign buyer checks your company name on the government database, they can verify your date of incorporation, paid-up capital, active compliance status, and director details in seconds.

Easy ownership transfer

Transferring ownership in a partnership firm requires amending deeds and re-registering agreements. In a Pvt Ltd company, ownership changes hands by executing a Share Transfer Deed (Form SH-4), paying the applicable stamp duty, and updating the Register of Members—leaving existing licenses, GST numbers, and client contracts untouched.

Private Limited Company vs proprietorship

Feature	Private Limited Company	Sole Proprietorship
Legal status	Separate legal entity under Companies Act	No separate identity from the proprietor
Liability	Limited to unpaid share capital	Unlimited; personal assets are at risk
Minimum members	2 directors and 2 shareholders	1 individual
Equity funding	Can issue equity and preference shares	Cannot raise equity investment
Tax rate (2026)	22% flat (under Sec 115BAA) + surcharge/cess	Taxed as per individual income tax slabs

Private Limited Company vs partnership firm

Feature	Private Limited Company	Partnership Firm
Governing law	Companies Act, 2013	Indian Partnership Act, 1932
Registration	Mandatory with MCA (ROC)	Optional with Registrar of Firms
Member liability	Limited to share capital	Unlimited joint and several liability
Continuity	Perpetual succession	Dissolves on death/insolvency unless deed states otherwise
Statutory audit	Mandatory every financial year	Mandatory only above prescribed turnover limits

Private Limited Company vs LLP

Feature	Private Limited Company	Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Ownership unit	Shares (Equity / Preference)	Designated Partner contribution ratio
External equity / VC	Ideal for angel and VC funding	VCs rarely invest due to structure limits
ESOPs for staff	Allowed under Companies Act	Cannot issue stock options
Annual compliance	Board meetings, AOC-4, MGT-7, statutory audit	Form 11 and Form 8 (Audit only if turnover exceeds Rs. 40L or capital exceeds Rs. 25L)
Dividend distribution	Dividend taxable in hands of shareholders	Profit share distribution is tax-exempt in partners' hands

Private Limited Company vs OPC

Feature	Private Limited Company	One Person Company (OPC)
Shareholders	Minimum 2, Maximum 200	Strictly 1 shareholder + 1 nominee
Foreign/NRI promoter	Allowed (subject to FEMA / FDI norms)	Only Indian citizens (including eligible NRIs meeting residency rules)
Equity funding	Open to multiple investors	Cannot add a second shareholder without converting to Pvt Ltd
Business activities	Can carry out any lawful business (with approvals)	Barred from non-banking financial investment activities

Who can register a Private Limited Company?

Any two or more individuals or corporate bodies competent to contract can register a Private Limited Company in India, provided at least one director satisfies the Indian residency requirement.

Eligibility for Private Limited Company registration

Check these baseline eligibility rules before gathering your paperwork:

• Age: Every director must be at least 18 years old.

• Mental soundness and solvency: Directors must not be undischarged insolvents or disqualified by a court or the MCA under Section 164 of the Companies Act.

• Shareholder types: While directors must be living human beings (natural persons), shareholders can be individuals, other Private Limited Companies, LLPs, or foreign bodies corporate.

Minimum directors required

You must appoint a minimum of 2 directors and can have a maximum of 15 directors on the board (expandable beyond 15 by passing a special resolution). At least one director must be an Indian Resident—defined under the Act as a person who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than 120 days during the financial year.

Minimum shareholders required

A Private Limited Company requires a minimum of 2 shareholders and allows up to 200 shareholders. The same two individuals acting as directors can also be the sole two shareholders, holding 100% of the company between them.

Can one person register a Private Limited Company?

Not entirely on their own. By statutory definition, a Private Limited Company needs two distinct shareholders and two directors. However, if you are a solo founder who wants a Pvt Ltd structure instead of an OPC, you can hold 99.9% of the shares yourself and allot 0.1% (even a single share) to a family member—such as your spouse, parent, or sibling—who also acts as the second director.

Can NRIs or foreign nationals register a Private Limited Company in India?

Yes, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and foreign nationals or foreign companies can register a Private Limited Company in India and hold up to 100% shares in sectors where Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is permitted under the Automatic Route. You still must appoint at least one Indian Resident director on the board, and any foreign documents must be notarized and apostilled (or consularized) in the home country.

Documents required for Private Limited Company registration

All documents for company registration are submitted digitally as clear, colour-scanned PDFs or JPEGs on the MCA V3 portal. Mismatched initials or expired utility bills are the number one reason ROC examiners mark applications for resubmission.

Documents required for directors

• PAN Card: Mandatory for all Indian national directors (name on PAN must match the MCA database).

• Identity Proof (any one): Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or Aadhaar Card.

• Residential Address Proof (any one): Bank Statement, Electricity Bill, Telephone Bill, or Mobile Bill in the director's exact name, dated within the last 60 days.

• Passport-size photographs: Recent colour photograph against a plain white background.

Documents required for shareholders

Individual shareholders submit the exact same KYC pack as directors (PAN, ID proof, recent address proof, and photo). If a corporate entity (another company or LLP) is becoming a shareholder, you also need its Certificate of Incorporation, corporate PAN, a Board Resolution authorizing the investment, and a letter appointing an individual representative to sign the e-MOA and e-AOA.

Registered office address documents

• Utility Bill: Latest Electricity Bill, Water Bill, Gas Bill, or Property Tax Receipt for the premises, dated within the last 60 days, clearly showing the complete address and the property owner's name.

• Rent Agreement: If the premises are leased, a notarized rent or lease agreement in the name of the proposed company or a promoter director.

• Ownership Proof: Sale deed or allotment letter if the property is owned directly by one of the promoters.

NOC from property owner

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by the legal owner of the property (whose name appears on the electricity or water bill) is mandatory. The NOC simply states that the owner authorizes the proposed company to use the specific address as its Registered Office for MCA correspondence.

Documents required for NRI directors

• Indian Passport: Mandatory proof of identity.

• PAN Card: Required if held.

• Foreign Address Proof: Bank statement, driving licence, or utility bill from the country of residence (dated within 60 days). If the document is signed or issued outside India, it must be notarized or attested by the Indian Embassy or apostilled as per the Hague Convention.

Documents required for foreign directors

• Passport: Mandatory identity document, notarized and apostilled in the home country.

• Residential Address Proof: Foreign bank statement, utility bill, or driving licence (not older than 60 days), translated into English if in another language, and duly apostilled or consularized.

• Business Visa / Immigration stamp: Required if the foreign national executes and signs incorporation documents while physically present in India.

Requirements for Private Limited Company registration

Before you open the SPICe+ form on the MCA V3 portal, verify that your incorporation plan meets these seven statutory requirements.

Minimum capital requirement

There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement under the Companies Act, 2013. You can legally incorporate a Private Limited Company with Rs. 2,000 or Rs. 10,000 in paid-up capital. In practice, most founders set an Authorized Capital of Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 15,00,000 (since MCA charges zero incorporation fee up to Rs. 15 lakh authorized capital) and start with a Paid-up Capital of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1,00,000, which they deposit into the company bank account after incorporation.

Company name requirements

A company name has three parts: [Distinctive Brand Word] + [Activity Descriptor] + "Private Limited". For example, in LegalPehchan Advisory Services Private Limited, "LegalPehchan" is the distinctive coin word, "Advisory Services" reflects the main business object, and "Private Limited" is the statutory suffix. Your name cannot match an existing company, LLP, or registered trademark in the same class on the IP India portal.

Registered office requirements

Every company must have a physical, verifiable street address in India where government notices from the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and tax authorities can be delivered. P.O. Box numbers are not allowed. It can be a commercial office, a co-working space desk (if the operator provides a utility bill and NOC), or even a residential home or flat.

Director requirements

Directors must provide written consent to act as directors in Form DIR-2 and a declaration in Form INC-9 confirming they have not been convicted of any offence related to company promotion or management in the past five years. Each individual can hold directorships in a maximum of 20 companies (of which at most 10 can be public companies).

Shareholder requirements

Shareholders must subscribe to at least one share in the electronic Memorandum of Association (e-MOA) and specify the exact number and class of shares they agree to pay for.

Digital Signature Certificate requirement

Because physical paper signatures are not accepted on the MCA portal, all subscribers to the MOA/AOA, all proposed directors, and the certifying practicing professional (CA, CS, or CMA) must possess a valid Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) tied to their PAN and Aadhaar/video verification.

DIN requirement

Every director must hold a unique 8-digit Director Identification Number (DIN) allotted by the MCA. An individual is permitted only one DIN for life, regardless of how many company boards they join.

How to register a Private Limited Company online?

You register a Private Limited Company online in 10 sequential steps through the MCA V3 portal and your chosen bank. Doing these steps in the exact order below prevents form expiry and DSC mismatch errors.

Step 1: Get expert consultation

Start by mapping your shareholding split, authorized vs. paid-up capital, main business objects (NIC-2008 codes), and director eligibility with a compliance specialist at LegalPehchan. Getting the NIC activity code and capital structure right on day one avoids expensive MOA amendments later.

Step 2: Apply for DSC

Each proposed director and shareholder completes a two-minute mobile video and OTP verification with a licensed Certifying Authority (like eMudhra, Capricorn, or Pantasign) to generate their Class 3 DSC token. After the DSC is issued, it must be registered under the "Business User" role on the MCA V3 portal.

Step 3: Apply for DIN

If the proposed directors do not already have a DIN, you do not need to file a separate DIR-3 form. Up to three new DINs are applied for directly inside Part B of the SPICe+ incorporation form, and they are allotted automatically upon incorporation.

Step 4: Check and reserve company name

Run a preliminary check against existing MCA company records and trademark classes. Submit SPICe+ Part A either as a standalone name reservation first (which reserves the approved name for 20 days for a Rs. 1,000 fee) or file Part A and Part B together in one integrated submission if your proposed name is highly distinctive.

Step 5: Prepare MOA and AOA

Draft the company's charter documents inside the MCA web forms: e-MOA (Form INC-33) detailing the company's main business objectives and share capital, and e-AOA (Form INC-34) detailing internal governance rules, board powers, and share transfer restrictions.

Step 6: File SPICe+ form on MCA portal

Fill out SPICe+ Part B (INC-32) and the linked AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35) web form on the MCA V3 portal. Upload the KYC documents, registered office proof, and DIR-2 consents, download the generated PDF forms, affix the Class 3 DSCs of all directors and a practicing CA/CS/CMA, and pay the state stamp duty online.

Step 7: Apply for PAN and TAN

You do not visit the NSDL or UTIITSL portal separately. Your application for the company's Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) is embedded inside the SPICe+ Part B workflow, using area codes auto-populated from your pin code.

Step 8: Receive Certificate of Incorporation

Once the Central Registration Centre (CRC) officer verifies and approves your forms, the MCA issues a digitally signed Certificate of Incorporation (Form INC-11) via email. This certificate displays your 21-digit Corporate Identity Number (CIN), date of incorporation, Company PAN, and TAN.

Step 9: Open company bank account

Take your Certificate of Incorporation, MOA, AOA, e-PAN, and a Board Resolution to your preferred bank (or use the bank selected inside the AGILE-PRO-S form) to open a current account in the company's name. Each shareholder must then transfer their agreed subscription money from their personal bank account into this company current account.

Step 10: Start business operations

Before raising your first sales invoice or signing a commercial contract, file Form INC-20A (Declaration for Commencement of Business) on the MCA portal within 180 days of incorporation, attaching proof that the shareholders have deposited their paid-up capital into the company bank account.

Private Limited Company registration process in India

Behind the user-facing steps lies a structured back-office verification pipeline managed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Knowing how the government processes your file helps you anticipate queries.

Online registration process

Since the rollout of the MCA V3 portal, company registration in India is 100% paperless and web-form driven. Instead of downloading offline PDFs, applicants fill data directly into browser-based forms on the MCA portal, where real-time validation checks PIN codes, PAN databases, and DIN records before allowing form submission.

MCA registration process

Every person signing an incorporation form—whether as a director or shareholder—must first create a personal profile on the MCA V3 portal, upgrade their profile to a Business User under the "Director/Designated Partner" or "Manager/Secretary/Authorized Representative" category, and associate their USB DSC token with their MCA account. Without this individual MCA V3 user mapping, the portal will reject the digital signature upload.

ROC registration process

While India has regional Registrars of Companies (such as ROC Jaipur for Rajasthan, ROC Mumbai, or ROC Delhi), all new company incorporation applications are processed centrally by the Central Registration Centre (CRC) located at Manesar, Haryana. Once the CRC incorporates your company, your file is handed over to your state's jurisdictional ROC for ongoing compliance filings.

SPICe+ form filing process

SPICe+ stands for Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus. It combines 11 separate services from multiple central and state ministries into a single web workflow:

• SPICe+ Part A: Name reservation.

• SPICe+ Part B: Company incorporation, DIN allotment (up to 3), PAN, and TAN.

• AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35): Mandatory registration for EPFO and ESIC, Professional Tax (in applicable states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal), bank account selection, and optional GSTIN application.

Company name approval process

When you submit a name in Part A, the CRC checks it against the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. If the name sounds phonetically identical to an existing company (for example, "KlaudNine Tech" vs "Cloud9 Technologies"), uses generic words like "India Digital Services Pvt Ltd", or includes restricted words like "National", "Bank", or "Exchange" without regulator approval, the officer marks it for resubmission.

Company incorporation process

After Part B, e-MOA, e-AOA, and AGILE-PRO-S are uploaded with valid DSCs and the challan is paid, a CRC examiner reviews the attached address proofs and subscriber sheets. If everything matches, the COI is generated. If there is a discrepancy—like a cropped electricity bill or an unverified NOC—the examiner raises a Resubmission (RSUB) remark, giving you 15 days to upload the corrected document at no extra government fee.

Private Limited Company registration fees

The total cost to register a Private Limited Company in India depends on your authorized share capital, the state where your registered office is located, the number of directors, and professional consultation charges.

Government fees for company registration

Under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, the MCA charges Rs. 0 (Zero) normal incorporation fee for filing SPICe+ (INC-32) if your company's authorized capital is up to Rs. 15,00,000. However, two fixed government charges still apply to most filings:

• Name Reservation Fee (SPICe+ Part A): Rs. 1,000 (if filed prior to Part B for upfront name security; Rs. 0 if filed jointly with Part B, though joint filing risks losing Part B effort if the name is rejected).

• PAN and TAN Government Fee: Approximately Rs. 131 (Rs. 66 for PAN + Rs. 65 for TAN) collected inside the MCA challan.

DSC charges

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates with a 2-year validity (along with the cryptographic USB token if required) cost between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 2,000 per person, depending on the Certifying Authority. For two directors, expect Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000 in DSC costs.

DIN charges

When you apply for up to three DINs inside the SPICe+ form during company incorporation, the government fee for DIN allotment is Rs. 0. A Rs. 500 fee only applies if you apply for a standalone DIN later via Form DIR-3 for an existing company.

Stamp duty charges

Every state government levies stamp duty on the Certificate of Incorporation (INC-32), e-MOA, and e-AOA. This is often the biggest variable in government fees (for Rs. 1 lakh authorized capital in 2026):

• Delhi / Haryana / Uttar Pradesh / Maharashtra: Roughly Rs. 360 to Rs. 1,500.

• Rajasthan / Karnataka / Tamil Nadu / Gujarat: Roughly Rs. 1,520 to Rs. 5,500.

• Punjab / Kerala / Madhya Pradesh: Can range from Rs. 5,000 to over Rs. 10,000 even for minimum capital.

Professional fees

Because MCA regulations require every SPICe+ form to be verified and digitally certified by a practicing Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS), Cost Accountant (CMA), or Advocate, professional fees typically range from Rs. 2,999 to Rs. 7,999, covering name research, drafting of MOA/AOA, form preparation, and practicing professional certification. You can check transparent, state-wise incorporation packages directly on LegalPehchan's company registration portal.

Total cost of Private Limited Company registration

For a standard Private Limited Company with 2 directors and Rs. 1 lakh authorized capital in most Indian states, the all-inclusive registration cost in 2026 falls between Rs. 6,500 and Rs. 12,000 (combining 2 DSCs, PAN/TAN fees, state stamp duty, and professional filing fees).

Hidden charges to avoid

Watch out for ultra-low "Rs. 499 registration" ads online. Before paying any consultant, check whether their quote excludes:

1. CA/CS certification fees (often billed separately as Rs. 3,000+ after you sign up).

2. DSC USB token and video KYC fees inflated to Rs. 3,500 per director.

3. Mandatory INC-20A filing or Auditor Appointment (ADT-1) bundled into an overpriced Rs. 25,000 "first-year package" without your consent.

Private Limited Company registration timeline

With clean documents and prompt DSC verification, registering a Private Limited Company takes 7 to 10 working days from start to finish.

How long does it take to register a Private Limited Company?

Here is the real-world breakdown of the 2026 incorporation timeline:

• Days 1–2: Document audit, MCA V3 Business User creation, and Class 3 DSC issuance.

• Days 3–4: SPICe+ Part A name reservation submission and CRC approval.

• Days 5–6: Drafting e-MOA, e-AOA, AGILE-PRO-S, affixing DSCs, and paying the MCA challan.

• Days 7–10: CRC officer scrutiny and issuance of COI, CIN, PAN, and TAN.

Same-day company registration

Can you get a company registered on the exact same day? Only the filing can happen on the same day if all directors already possess active Class 3 DSCs, registered MCA V3 Business User accounts, and choose to file SPICe+ Part A and Part B together. Even then, the CRC officer's backend approval and NSDL's PAN/TAN generation normally take 24 to 72 working hours after challan payment.

7-day company registration

A 7-day registration is the standard benchmark when founders provide clear utility bills (under 60 days old), complete their DSC video KYC on Day 1, and pick a distinctive coined brand name that passes CRC scrutiny without a resubmission query.

10-day company registration

Expect a 10-to-14-day timeline if you are registering with NRI/foreign directors (due to apostille shipping/verification), if the MCA portal experiences peak quarterly filing traffic, or if your first name choice triggers a resubmission remark from the CRC.

Why registration can get delayed

• PAN and Aadhaar name mismatch: One director's PAN says "R. K. Sharma" while their Aadhaar and bank statement say "Rajesh Kumar Sharma".

• Stale utility bill: Submitting an electricity bill that is 65 days old instead of under the strict 60-day limit.

• Descriptive or conflicting company name: Picking a generic name like "Bharat Logistics Pvt Ltd" that collides with 40 existing companies or registered trademarks.

• Unmapped DSC on MCA V3: Generating a DSC but forgetting to associate it under the "Business User" role on the MCA portal before uploading the form.

Company name selection and approval

Your company name is your legal identity on every contract, tax return, and bank account. Getting it approved on the first attempt saves up to five working days.

How to choose a company name?

Build your name around a coined or distinctive prefix rather than common dictionary words. Pair your unique brand word with an activity word that matches your primary revenue stream—for example, Veloce Coldchain Logistics Private Limited or Kramik Finserve Private Limited. If your business plans to expand into multiple unrelated verticals later, consult LegalPehchan's business advisory team to frame a broader or neutral name structure that complies with Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules.

Company name search online

Before filing, run three separate checks:

1. Search the MCA V3 Name Reservation / Company Master Data tool to check for existing companies and LLPs with identical or phonetic matches.

2. Search the IP India Public Search for Trademarks under the relevant NICE classification class (Class 1 to 45) for your industry.

3. Check domain name availability (.in and .com) so your digital brand matches your legal entity.

Company name availability check

When checking availability, remember that the MCA ignores plurals, tenses, spacing, punctuation, and case. If "Apex Mind Technologies Pvt Ltd" already exists, you will not get approval for "ApexMind Tech Pvt Ltd", "Apex Minds Technology Pvt Ltd", or "New Apex Mind Technologies Pvt Ltd".

Company name approval rules

• No trademark infringement: Even if no company has your name, a registered trademark owner in the same class will block your approval unless you attach a signed NOC from that trademark owner.

• Regulatory keywords: Words like FinTech, Insurance, Bank, Stock Exchange, Mutual Fund, Venture Capital, or Nidhi require in-principle approval from RBI, SEBI, or IRDAI, or must meet higher capital thresholds.

• Patronage restriction: Avoid words suggesting central or state government patronage (like National, Central, Union, Federal, Prime Minister, or Rashtrapati).

What if company name is rejected?

If the CRC officer finds an objection with your proposed names in SPICe+ Part A, they do not reject the application outright on the first pass. Instead, they mark the form as "Sent for Resubmission", allowing you to submit up to two fresh name options (or attach supporting justifications/NOCs) within 15 days at no extra government cost.

How many name options can be submitted?

You can submit 2 proposed company names in a single SPICe+ Part A application, listed in your order of preference. Always make sure both options are thoroughly checked and distinct from each other so you do not waste your second slot.

MOA and AOA for Private Limited Company

Every Private Limited Company is governed by two foundational charter documents filed electronically during incorporation: the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and the Articles of Association (AOA).

What is MOA?

The Memorandum of Association (MOA) is the company's external charter (filed in Form INC-33 under Table A of Schedule I). It defines the company's name, the state of its registered office, the liability of its members, its authorized share capital, and—most importantly—its Main Objects Clause, which sets the legal boundaries of what business activities the company is permitted to carry out.

What is AOA?

The Articles of Association (AOA) is the company's internal rulebook (filed in Form INC-34 under Table F of Schedule I). It lays down the bylaws for running the company: how directors are appointed or removed, how board and shareholder meetings are conducted, quorum requirements, dividend rules, and how share transfers or right of first refusal (ROFR) clauses work among founders.

Difference between MOA and AOA

Parameter	Memorandum of Association (MOA)	Articles of Association (AOA)
Core purpose	Defines the company's external scope and objectives	Defines internal management rules and governance
Legal hierarchy	Subordinate only to the Companies Act, 2013	Subordinate to both the Companies Act and the MOA
Relationship	Governs relationship between company and outsiders	Governs relationship between company, directors, and members
Acts beyond scope	Ultra vires (void and cannot be ratified even by all shareholders)	Can be ratified by shareholders if not against the Act or MOA
MCA e-Form	Form INC-33 (e-MOA)	Form INC-34 (e-AOA)

Importance of MOA and AOA

Banks, GST officers, tender authorities, and equity investors inspect your MOA and AOA before dealing with you. If you apply for an import-export license or a specialised industry tender, the authority will verify whether that exact commercial activity is written inside Clause 3(a) of your MOA. Similarly, when venture capitalists invest, their Shareholder Agreement (SHA) terms are entrenched directly into your AOA.

Can MOA and AOA be changed later?

Yes. Both the MOA and AOA can be amended at any stage after incorporation by calling a Board Meeting, passing a Special Resolution (75% majority vote of shareholders) in an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), and filing Form MGT-14 (along with supporting forms like SH-7 for capital increase) with the ROC.

DSC and DIN for company registration

Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) and Director Identification Numbers (DIN) are the digital credentials that tie real human directors to electronic corporate filings.

What is DSC?

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is an encrypted electronic key issued by a government-licensed Certifying Authority under the Information Technology Act, 2000. It acts as the digital equivalent of a physical wet-ink signature and notarized seal, guaranteeing that an electronic form has not been tampered with after signing.

Who needs a DSC?

For Private Limited Company registration, a Class 3 Signing DSC is mandatory for:

1. All proposed directors who are signing the incorporation forms.

2. Every subscriber (shareholder) signing the electronic MOA (INC-33) and AOA (INC-34).

3. The practicing CA, CS, CMA, or Advocate certifying the SPICe+ form.

What is DIN?

A Director Identification Number (DIN) is a permanent 8-digit identification number allotted by the Central Government to any individual intending to be a director of an Indian company. Once allotted, it stays valid for life across all companies you join, provided you complete your annual DIR-3 KYC requirement.

Who needs a DIN?

Every individual appointed as a director on the Board of Directors of a Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, or OPC must hold a DIN. Shareholders who are only investors and do not sit on the Board of Directors do not need a DIN.

How to get DSC online?

1. Submit your PAN, Aadhaar (or Passport for NRIs), email ID, and mobile number through a licensed Certifying Authority partner.

2. Complete a 30-second automated mobile video recording reading a verification code displayed on your screen, followed by an SMS/email OTP confirmation.

3. Once approved (usually within 30 to 60 minutes), the encrypted DSC is downloaded onto a FIPS-compliant cryptographic USB e-Token.

How to get DIN online?

When registering a new Private Limited Company, you get up to 3 DINs automatically by entering the proposed directors' personal and KYC details in SPICe+ Part B (INC-32). The moment the Certificate of Incorporation is generated, the MCA system allots the DINs to those directors. If a person is joining an already incorporated company as a new director, they apply via Form DIR-3 supported by a Board Resolution from that company.

Certificate of Incorporation

The Certificate of Incorporation (COI) is the official birth certificate of your company, issued by the Registrar of Companies (Central Registration Centre) in Form INC-11.

What is Certificate of Incorporation?

Issued under Section 7(2) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Certificate of Incorporation is conclusive legal evidence that your Private Limited Company is registered and exists as a body corporate from the exact date printed on the certificate. It displays the company's full legal name, registered office address, date of incorporation, CIN, and permanent PAN.

What is CIN number?

The Corporate Identity Number (CIN) is a 21-character alpha-numeric code printed on your Certificate of Incorporation that encodes six key facts about your company. For example, in U72900RJ2026PTC098765:

• U = Unlisted company (L stands for Listed on a stock exchange).

• 72900 = 5-digit NIC industry classification code (e.g., IT and software services).

• RJ = 2-letter State code of the Registered Office (RJ for Rajasthan, MH for Maharashtra, DL for Delhi).

• 2026 = 4-digit calendar year of incorporation.

• PTC = 3-letter ownership code indicating a Private Limited Company (PLC for Public Limited, OPC for One Person Company).

• 098765 = 6-digit sequential registration number assigned by the ROC.

How to download Certificate of Incorporation?

The MCA emails the digitally signed COI PDF directly to the company's registered email address upon approval. You can also log in to your MCA V3 portal account, open the "My Application" dashboard, locate your approved SPICe+ SRN (Service Request Number), and click the download icon next to the Certificate of Incorporation at any time.

What to do after getting Certificate of Incorporation?

Use this immediate post-COI checklist so you do not miss statutory deadlines:

• Verify that the blue digital signature tick on the COI and e-PAN PDFs is validated in Adobe Reader.

• Print company letterheads and rubber stamps displaying the full name, registered office address, and 21-digit CIN (mandatory under Section 12 of the Act).

• Hold your First Board Meeting within 30 days of the date on the COI.

• Open the company's current bank account and deposit the initial share subscription capital.

PAN and TAN for Private Limited Company

Your company's tax identities - PAN and TAN - are generated simultaneously with your Certificate of Incorporation through the MCA's backend integration with the Income Tax Department.

What is company PAN?

A Company PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a 10-character alphanumeric tax identification code issued exclusively in the name of the Private Limited Company (where the 4th character is always the letter C for Company). It is mandatory for opening a corporate bank account, receiving client payments with TDS, and filing annual corporate income tax returns (ITR-6).

What is company TAN?

A Company TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number) is a 10-character alphanumeric code required under Section 203A of the Income Tax Act. Whenever your company pays salaries to employees, professional fees to consultants, rent to a landlord, or invoices to contractors above prescribed limits, it must deduct TDS at source and deposit it with the government using this TAN.

Why are PAN and TAN important?

Without an active Company PAN, no bank in India will open a current account in your company's name, which means you cannot deposit your initial share capital or file Form INC-20A to commence business. Without a TAN, your company cannot deduct TDS or issue Form 16/16A certificates to employees and vendors, inviting heavy penalties under the Income Tax Act.

How to apply for company PAN and TAN?

You do not file separate Form 49A or Form 49B applications. During Step 6 of registration, you fill in the AO (Assessing Officer) code for PAN and TAN directly inside the SPICe+ Part B web form. Once the MCA approves your company, the Income Tax Department sends the e-PAN card to your registered email within 24 to 48 hours, and your TAN number is printed right on the face of your Certificate of Incorporation.

Post-registration compliance

Incorporating the company gets you your legal entity, but keeping it active and penalty-free requires completing mandatory post-incorporation milestones. If you want an end-to-end compliance calendar managed for you, LegalPehchan's post-incorporation compliance team handles all ROC and tax filings.

Open a company bank account

Open a current account in the company's name and have every shareholder transfer their exact share subscription amount (as promised in the e-MOA) from their personal bank account via NEFT, RTGS, or UPI. Once the funds hit the account, file Form INC-20A (Declaration for Commencement of Business) within 180 days of incorporation. Missing the INC-20A deadline triggers a flat Rs. 50,000 penalty on the company and Rs. 1,000 per day on directors, and blocks you from filing any other MCA form.

Apply for GST registration

GST registration is not automatically mandatory just because you registered a Private Limited Company. However, you must apply for GST registration if:

• Your annual aggregate turnover exceeds Rs. 40 lakh for goods or Rs. 20 lakh for services (Rs. 20 lakh / Rs. 10 lakh in special category states).

• You make inter-state sales of goods across state borders.

• You sell through an e-commerce operator or need to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on B2B purchases and pass it on to corporate clients.

Appoint auditor

Under Section 139(1) of the Companies Act, the Board of Directors must appoint an independent practicing Chartered Accountant (or CA firm) as the company's First Statutory Auditor within 30 days of the date of incorporation. If the Board fails to do so within 30 days, the shareholders must appoint the auditor at an Extraordinary General Meeting within 90 days.

Maintain statutory registers

Every Private Limited Company must maintain physical or electronic Statutory Registers at its registered office, including the Register of Members (Form MGT-1), Register of Directors and KMP, Register of Charges (Form CHG-7), and Register of Contracts or Arrangements in which Directors are Interested (Form MBP-4), along with issuing stamped Share Certificates (Form SH-1) within 60 days of incorporation.

File annual returns

Even if your company has zero revenue or zero transactions during the year, you must file two annual ROC forms after the financial year closes on March 31:

• Form AOC-4: Filing of audited financial statements, balance sheet, and profit & loss account (due within 30 days of the Annual General Meeting).

• Form MGT-7 / MGT-7A: Filing of the Annual Return detailing shareholders, directors, and meetings (due within 60 days of the AGM; small companies use the simplified MGT-7A).

• Form DIR-3 KYC: Mandatory annual KYC verification for every director holding a DIN, due by September 30 each year.

File income tax return

Every Private Limited Company must file its annual corporate Income Tax Return in Form ITR-6 on the Income Tax e-Filing portal on or before October 31 of the assessment year (since audit under the Companies Act is mandatory for all companies), regardless of whether the company made a profit, incurred a loss, or remained dormant.

Hold board meetings

Your company must hold its First Board Meeting within 30 days of incorporation. Thereafter, it must hold a minimum of 4 Board Meetings every calendar year, structured so that the gap between two consecutive Board Meetings never exceeds 120 days. Small companies (as defined under Section 2(85)) enjoy a relaxation and only need to hold one Board Meeting in each half of the calendar year with a minimum gap of 90 days.

Maintain accounting records

Under Section 128, books of account must be kept on an accrual basis and according to the double-entry system of accounting. Furthermore, MCA mandates that every company using accounting software must use software that has an active Audit Trail (Edit Log) feature enabled throughout the financial year, recording every change made to entries along with the date and user identity.

Common questions about Private Limited Company registration

Founders frequently encounter conflicting advice around office addresses, employment clauses, and capital rules. Here are direct, legally accurate answers to the 18 edge cases that come up before filing.

Can I register a Private Limited Company online?

Yes, 100% of the Private Limited Company registration workflow in India is online. From Class 3 DSC video verification to filing SPICe+ forms on the MCA V3 portal and receiving your Certificate of Incorporation by email, you never have to visit a physical ROC office.

Can I register a company from home?

Yes, you can complete the entire incorporation process sitting at home using a laptop and smartphone, and you can also register the company using your home as its official address.

Can I register a company without a commercial office?

Yes. The Companies Act, 2013 does not require you to rent a commercial shop or office tower to incorporate a company. You can register using a residential house, flat, or an approved virtual/co-working office desk.

Can I use my home address as registered office?

Yes, your residential home or rented apartment can serve as the Registered Office of your Private Limited Company. You simply provide the latest home electricity or water bill (within 60 days) and a signed No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the person whose name is on that utility bill (such as your parent, spouse, or landlord).

Can I be both director and shareholder?

Yes. In most Indian startups and small businesses, the founders wear both hats simultaneously: they are the shareholders (who own the company) and the directors (who manage the board).

Can husband and wife start a Private Limited Company?

Yes, a husband and wife are two separate legal individuals and can easily form a Private Limited Company together as the sole 2 directors and 2 shareholders, holding 100% of the equity between them.

Can a salaried person register a company?

Legally under the Companies Act, a salaried person can be a shareholder (investor) in any Private Limited Company without issue. However, before becoming a full-time Director, you must check your current employment agreement and HR conflict-of-interest policy—most private sector employment contracts prohibit employees from holding active directorships in another commercial entity without written employer NOC, and government employees are strictly barred from becoming directors.

Can a student register a Private Limited Company?

Yes, any college student who is at least 18 years old and holds a valid PAN card and address proof can register a Private Limited Company as both a director and shareholder.

Can I change company name after registration?

Yes. You can change your company name at any point after incorporation by reserving the new name through the MCA RUN service, passing a Special Resolution of shareholders (MGT-14), and filing Form INC-24 for Central Government (ROC) approval to receive a fresh Certificate of Incorporation.

Can I add directors later?

Yes. You can appoint a new director anytime after incorporation by obtaining their DSC and DIN, getting their written consent in Form DIR-2, passing a resolution, and filing Form DIR-12 on the MCA portal within 30 days of appointment.

Can I add shareholders later?

Yes, up to the statutory limit of 200 members. You can bring in new shareholders either by transferring existing shares from current founders (using Form SH-4) or by issuing fresh shares through a Right Issue or Private Placement (filing Form PAS-3).

Can I change registered office address later?

Yes. If you move offices within the same city, you simply pass a Board Resolution and file Form INC-22 within 30 days along with the new utility bill and NOC. Moving between different cities or states is also permitted through shareholder resolutions and Regional Director approvals.

Can I convert proprietorship into Private Limited Company?

Yes. You incorporate a new Private Limited Company with a takeover clause in its MOA and execute a formal Business Transfer Agreement (slump sale) to transfer all assets, liabilities, brand rights, and GST input credit of the sole proprietorship into the newly incorporated Pvt Ltd entity.

Can I convert LLP into Private Limited Company?

Yes, an existing Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) with at least two partners can be converted directly into a Private Limited Company under Section 366 of the Companies Act, 2013 by filing Form URC-1 along with the SPICe+ forms.

What is the minimum capital for a Private Limited Company?

There is zero minimum paid-up capital mandated by law. You can start with Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 10,000 in paid-up share capital and scale your capital later as the business grows.

Is GST registration mandatory after company registration?

No, GST is turnover- and activity-based, not structure-based. If your service turnover is below Rs. 20 lakh (or goods turnover is below Rs. 40 lakh) and you only sell within your own state, GST registration is optional.

Is a company registration certificate enough to start business?

No. Along with the Certificate of Incorporation, you must open a company bank account, have shareholders deposit their subscription capital, and file Form INC-20A (Commencement of Business) within 180 days before you are legally permitted to start commercial operations or borrow money.

What happens if annual compliance is not filed?

Missing AOC-4 and MGT-7/7A deadlines attracts an automatic late fee of Rs. 100 per day per form with no upper cap. Worse, if a company fails to file financial statements or annual returns for two consecutive financial years, the ROC can strike off the company's name under Section 248 and disqualify all its directors for 5 years under Section 164(2), blocking them from being directors in any company.

Why choose us for Private Limited Company registration?

Filing SPICe+ forms without errors requires matching state stamp rules, NIC codes, and MCA V3 validations on the first pass. LegalPehchan combines experienced corporate professionals with a clean, founder-friendly workflow so your company is incorporated without resubmission headaches.

Expert-assisted registration

Every incorporation file is reviewed and certified directly by qualified Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and corporate lawyers—not automated bots or untrained data-entry operators. We audit your KYC proofs and draft custom MOA objects before touching the MCA portal.

End-to-end online process

You upload your documents from your phone or laptop, complete a two-minute video KYC for your DSC, and track every stage remotely. From MCA V3 Business User setup to COI delivery, we handle the entire portal complexity for you.

Transparent pricing

You receive an exact, itemized cost sheet before paying a single rupee—clearly separating government stamp duty for your state, DSC token charges, PAN/TAN fees, and our professional service fee. No surprise certification add-ons halfway through the filing.

Fast filing and support

We complete your document scrutiny and DSC generation within 24 hours of onboarding, ensuring your SPICe+ application enters the CRC queue without delay.

Dedicated relationship manager

You get a single dedicated compliance manager reachable via direct phone call and WhatsApp throughout your incorporation journey, rather than raising support tickets and waiting days for a callback.

Post-registration support

Our work does not stop when the COI hits your inbox. We assist you with your First Board Meeting resolutions, bank account documentation, Auditor Appointment (ADT-1), INC-20A commencement filing, GST registration, and Startup India DPIIT recognition.

Get started with Private Limited Company registration

Ready to launch your company with complete legal protection and zero filing stress? Take the first step today.

Request a free consultation

Speak directly with a corporate incorporation specialist at LegalPehchan to map out your capital structure, state stamp duty, and director requirements at no cost.

Check company name availability

Send us your top 2 proposed company names and main business activity—our team will run a complimentary MCA Master Data and Trademark Class conflict check within hours.

Register your company online today

Visit LegalPehchan.com to submit your basic details, lock in your transparent state-specific quote, and get your Private Limited Company incorporated in 7 to 10 working days.