Incorporate a private limited company in India
Register through the MCA's integrated SPICe+ form, which combines name reservation, incorporation, PAN, TAN and EPFO registration.
- Timeline
- 7-15 working days
- Cost
- ₹5,000-₹15,000 in government and professional fees
- Steps
- 8 stages
Deadline — read this first
File form INC-20A declaring commencement of business within 180 days of incorporation.
Who can file
Two or more subscribers, with at least one director resident in India for 182 days or more in the previous year.
Step by step
- 1
Obtain digital signatures
Every subscriber and director needs a class 3 DSC to sign the electronic forms.
- 2
Reserve the name in SPICe+ Part A
Propose up to two names checked against existing companies and registered trade marks.
- 3
Draft the MOA and AOA
Filed electronically as e-MOA (INC-33) and e-AOA (INC-34) with the objects clause defining permitted activities.
- 4
File SPICe+ Part B
Submit incorporation details together with applications for PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC and a bank account through AGILE-PRO-S.
- 5
Receive the certificate of incorporation
The Registrar issues the certificate with the CIN, and the DIN is allotted to first directors.
- 6
Open the bank account and pay in capital
Deposit the subscribed capital and retain the bank statement as evidence.
- 7
File INC-20A
Declaration of commencement of business, certified by a professional, within 180 days.
- 8
Register for GST if required
Mandatory above the turnover threshold or for inter-state supply.
Documents you must produce
- PAN and Aadhaar for Indian directors; passport for foreign directors
- Proof of registered office (utility bill plus NOC from the owner)
- e-MOA and e-AOA
- Digital signature certificates
- Passport-size photographs of subscribers
Common mistakes that sink cases
- Proposing a name that conflicts with a registered trade mark, which the Registrar will reject.
- Missing the INC-20A deadline, which attracts penalties and blocks borrowing.
- Assuming incorporation alone permits trading; state registrations are usually still needed.
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