In short: To register a company in India, you apply through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ MCA21 portal under the Companies Act, 2013. The process typically takes seven to fifteen working days and produces a Certificate of Incorporation, a PAN, and a TAN—your three core founding documents.
Key points
- All company registrations in India are governed by the Companies Act, 2013 and administered by the Registrar of Companies (RoC) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
- The SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) form is the single integrated form used for name reservation, incorporation, DIN allotment, PAN, TAN, GST registration, and more.
- A Private Limited Company requires a minimum of two directors and two shareholders; a One Person Company (OPC) needs just one of each.
- Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) are mandatory for all proposed directors before filing; obtain them from a government-licensed Certifying Authority.
- Stamp duty on the Memorandum and Articles of Association varies by state and must be paid online at the time of filing.
- After incorporation, companies must comply with mandatory post-registration steps including opening a bank account, appointing an auditor within 30 days, and—if applicable—registering under GST, Shops and Establishments, and other sector-specific laws.
What types of companies can you register in India?
Before you start the paperwork, pick the right legal structure. Each type has different compliance obligations, liability protections, and fundraising options.
| Structure | Min. Directors | Min. Shareholders | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) | 2 | 2 | Startups, VC-backed ventures |
| One Person Company (OPC) | 1 | 1 | Solo founders wanting limited liability |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | 2 Designated Partners | N/A | Professionals, service firms |
| Public Limited Company | 3 | 7 | Large businesses planning a public offer |
| Section 8 Company | 2 | 2 | Non-profits, charities |
Most tech and product startups choose a Private Limited Company because it allows ESOP issuance, equity fundraising, and carries the limited liability protection founders need.
What documents do you need before you register a company in India?
Collecting documents early prevents delays. Here is what each director and shareholder will need to provide.
For Indian nationals
PAN card (mandatory), Aadhaar card or passport or voter ID for address proof, and a recent bank statement or utility bill (not older than two months) as proof of residential address.
For foreign nationals
Passport (notarised and apostilled), proof of address in the home country (notarised and apostilled), and a valid visa if the foreign national is also a resident director in India.
For the registered office
A utility bill for the premises (not older than two months) and a No Objection Certificate from the property owner if the premises are rented or leased.
Step-by-step: how to register a company in India
Step 1 — Obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Every proposed director must have a Class 3 DSC. Apply through any MCA-empanelled Certifying Authority. Processing usually takes one to three working days. Without a DSC, you cannot sign or submit forms electronically on MCA21.
Step 2 — Apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN)
A DIN is a unique identifier for every director. If none of the proposed directors already hold a DIN, the SPICe+ form can generate up to three DINs simultaneously, so you rarely need to apply separately.
Step 3 — Reserve your company name using RUN or SPICe+ Part A
Log into the MCA21 portal and use the Reserve Unique Name (RUN) service or SPICe+ Part A. You may propose up to two names in order of preference. The RoC checks your proposed name against the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 for uniqueness, similarity to existing names, and compliance with prohibited/undesirable name guidelines.
A name approval is valid for twenty days. If your name is rejected, you can re-apply with revised names at no extra fee within the approval window.
Step 4 — Prepare and file SPICe+ (Part B)
SPICe+ Part B is the core incorporation form. It captures the company’s registered office address, capital structure, director details, subscriber details, and more. It links automatically to the following linked forms.
eMoA and eAoA — The Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are now filed electronically as linked forms (INC-33 and INC-34) for most company types. Draft them carefully: the MoA defines your objects, the AoA governs internal management.
AGILE-PRO-S — This linked form applies simultaneously for GST registration, EPFO registration, ESIC registration, Profession Tax registration (in applicable states), and opening a bank account with certain partner banks. You do not have to apply for these separately unless your situation is complex.
Step 5 — Pay the government fee and stamp duty
The MCA fee is calculated based on your authorised share capital. Stamp duty on the MoA and AoA is calculated based on the authorised capital and the state in which the registered office is located. Both are paid online through the MCA21 payment gateway at the time of submission.
Step 6 — RoC review and Certificate of Incorporation
Once filed, the RoC reviews the application. If documents are in order, the RoC issues a Certificate of Incorporation (CoI) in digital form. The CoI includes your Corporate Identity Number (CIN), date of incorporation, and company name. It also reflects your PAN and TAN, which are simultaneously generated and communicated by CBDT.
If the RoC raises a query or rejects the form, you will receive a notice specifying deficiencies. You must respond within the time stated or the application lapses.
What must you do immediately after incorporation?
Receiving your CoI is not the finish line. Several mandatory post-incorporation steps must be completed within tight statutory deadlines.
Appoint a statutory auditor within 30 days of incorporation at a Board meeting (or by the promoters before the first Board meeting). Failure to do so attracts penalties under the Companies Act, 2013—verify the exact provision in the Act on India Code.
Open a current bank account in the company’s name and deposit the subscribed share capital. Banks will ask for the CoI, MoA, AoA, board resolution, and KYC of directors.
Issue share certificates to subscribers within sixty days of incorporation.
Register under GST if your projected annual turnover exceeds the applicable threshold (thresholds vary by state and by whether you supply goods or services—verify the current figure on the GSTN portal).
Maintain statutory registers such as the Register of Members, Register of Directors, and Minutes Books from the very first day.
Data protection compliance: if you collect personal data of users, note that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the DPDP Rules notified in 2025 impose obligations on Data Fiduciaries. Assess your obligations early.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to register a company in India?
If all documents are in order and the name is approved, incorporation through SPICe+ typically takes between seven and fifteen working days. Delays usually occur due to name objections, document deficiencies, or high filing volumes at the RoC. Using a professional (CA, CS, or lawyer) familiar with the MCA21 portal can significantly reduce the back-and-forth.
Can a foreign national or NRI register a company in India?
Yes. A foreign national or NRI can be a director and/or shareholder of an Indian company. However, at least one director on the Board must be a resident in India (i.e., a person who has stayed in India for at least 182 days in the immediately preceding calendar year, as defined in the Companies Act, 2013). Foreign investment is also subject to the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 and the RBI’s FDI policy—verify the applicable sector and entry route before proceeding.
What is the minimum paid-up capital required to register a Private Limited Company?
The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015 removed the earlier minimum paid-up capital requirement for private limited companies. There is currently no statutory minimum paid-up capital. However, you must state an authorised share capital in your MoA, and the government fee is partly calculated on that figure. Most founders start with an authorised capital of ₹1 lakh, which keeps initial fees low. Verify the current fee schedule on the MCA portal before filing.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change; verify against the primary sources cited and consult a qualified advocate for your situation.
