Company Incorporation in India: Process, Cost and Post-Incorporation Compliance
Registering a private limited company is now a single online process on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) V3 portal, through the integrated SPICe+ form. With documents in order it usually takes 7–15 working days, and you receive your Certificate of Incorporation, PAN and TAN together. Here is the complete process and what follows.
Basic requirements
- At least 2 directors (maximum 15 without a special resolution), and at least one must be resident in India (in India for 182 days or more in the financial year).
- At least 2 shareholders (can be the same people as the directors). Maximum 200.
- A registered office address in India.
- No minimum capital is prescribed. Authorised capital of ₹1–10 lakh is common for small companies.
Step-by-step process
1. Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)
Each proposed director and subscriber needs a Class 3 DSC, obtained from a licensed certifying authority.
2. Name reservation: SPICe+ Part A
- Propose up to two names, checked against existing company and LLP names and trademarks.
- The name must end with “Private Limited”.
- Avoid undesirable or prohibited words and names similar to existing companies or registered trademarks.
- An approved name is reserved for 20 days.
3. SPICe+ Part B (incorporation)
In one form, Part B covers:
- Incorporation details, capital, registered office, directors and subscribers
- DIN allotment for up to 3 directors (those without one)
- PAN and TAN applications
- e-MOA (INC-33) and e-AOA (INC-34), the memorandum and articles
- AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35): GSTIN (optional), EPFO and ESIC registration, profession tax (Maharashtra), a bank account opening with a partner bank, and Shops and Establishments registration where integrated
- INC-9: subscribers’ and directors’ declarations, generated automatically
4. Certificate of Incorporation
After scrutiny by the Central Registration Centre, you receive the Certificate of Incorporation (COI) with the CIN, PAN and TAN.
Documents required
| For directors and shareholders | For the registered office |
|---|---|
| PAN card (mandatory for Indian nationals) | Utility bill (electricity, gas, telephone), not older than 2 months |
| Aadhaar / passport / voter ID / driving licence | Rent agreement (if rented) or ownership proof |
| Recent bank statement or utility bill (address proof, not older than 2 months) | NOC from the owner |
| Passport-size photograph | |
| Email and mobile (verified by OTP) | |
| Foreign nationals or NRIs: passport, overseas address proof, apostilled or notarised as required |
Cost of incorporation
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| MCA fees (name reservation, SPICe+) | Nil for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh (the incorporation fee is waived). Name reservation is also covered |
| Stamp duty on MOA, AOA and the incorporation form | Varies by state and authorised capital. In Maharashtra it is a few thousand rupees for small capital |
| DSC | Per director, from the certifying authority |
| Professional fees | Depend on the service provider and scope |
| PAN, TAN | Included |
Compliance after incorporation: the first 180 days
| Requirement | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Open a bank account in the company’s name | Immediately |
| Subscribers pay the share capital to the company’s bank account | Before INC-20A |
| First board meeting | Within 30 days of incorporation |
| Appoint the first auditor (board resolution) | Within 30 days |
| Issue share certificates to subscribers | Within 60 days |
| File INC-20A (declaration of commencement of business) | Within 180 days. Without it the company can’t start business or borrow, and it risks penalty and strike-off |
| Statutory registers (members, directors, charges) | Maintain from incorporation |
| ADT-1 for the auditor appointed at the first AGM | Within 15 days of the AGM |
| Display the name, CIN and registered office on letterheads, invoices and signboards | Ongoing |
| Register for GST (if not done in AGILE-PRO-S), Udyam (optional), professional tax | As applicable |
| Board meetings: at least 2 a year for a small company/OPC (one in each half), otherwise 4 | Ongoing |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my home as the registered office?
Yes, with an NOC from the owner (even if a family member) and a recent utility bill.
Can an NRI or foreign national be a director?
Yes, but one director must be resident in India. Foreign investment must follow FEMA rules: most sectors allow 100% FDI automatically, with reporting to the RBI (Form FC-GPR).
How long does registration take?
Typically 7–15 working days after DSCs are ready, depending on name approval and any resubmission.
Is a company better than an LLP for a small business?
Not always. See our structure comparison article. If you don’t plan to raise equity, an LLP may cost less to run.
Ready to incorporate? Garvita Jain & Co. handles the whole process (DSC, name approval, SPICe+, bank account, GST) and the first-year compliance, including INC-20A, auditor appointment and board meetings. Contact us here, or at contact@garvitajainandco.com or +91 98678 16597.
This article is general information based on the law as of November 2026 and is not professional advice.
Sources
Official
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs, SPICe+ incorporation (MCA V3 portal)
- MCA, Fee schedule (Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014)
- Maharashtra stamp duty (IGR Maharashtra)
Professional / CA publications
- TaxGuru, Post-incorporation compliance for private companies
- Taxmann, Small company thresholds revised (Dec 2025)