Registering a private limited company in India is done online with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The forms themselves are not the hard part; most delays come from documents that do not match, are out of date or are missing a signature. If you collect the right papers before you start, incorporation usually moves quickly.
This checklist covers what founders typically need. Requirements can differ for foreign nationals, companies with corporate shareholders and some states, and the MCA updates its forms from time to time, so treat this as a starting point and confirm the latest list before filing.
The basic requirements
- At least two directors. At least one director must be resident in India, as defined in the Companies Act.
- At least two shareholders. The directors and shareholders can be the same people.
- No minimum paid-up capital. You choose the authorised and paid-up capital, but it affects stamp duty and government fees.
- A registered office address in India, which can be a home address with the right proof.
- A unique name that is not identical or too similar to an existing company or trademark.
A solo founder may prefer a One Person Company (OPC), and professional partnerships often prefer an LLP. If you are unsure which suits you, read our company set-up page or ask us on a free call.
Documents for each director and shareholder
For each Indian director and subscriber (shareholder at incorporation), you will typically need:
- PAN card — mandatory for Indian nationals. The name on all documents should match the PAN.
- Identity proof — Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence.
- Address proof — a recent bank statement, electricity, phone or gas bill in the person’s name, usually not older than two months.
- Passport-size photograph — a clear, recent colour photo.
- Personal email address and mobile number — each person’s own, because OTPs and verification links go to them.
- Details for the forms — occupation, educational qualification, place of birth, and number of shares to be held.
Each director and subscriber also needs a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to sign the forms electronically. Your accountant can arrange this; the person usually completes a short video or OTP verification. A Director Identification Number (DIN) can be allotted through the incorporation form itself for new directors.
Foreign nationals and NRIs
Foreign directors and shareholders generally need a passport and an overseas address proof that is notarised and apostilled (or consularised) in their country. These take longer to prepare, so start early.
Registered office proof
The registered office is where official letters go. You will typically need:
- A recent utility bill for the premises — electricity, water, gas or phone, usually not older than two months.
- A no-objection letter (NOC) from the owner allowing the address to be used as the registered office.
- Proof of right to use the property — a rent or lease agreement if rented, or a sale deed or property-tax receipt if owned.
Using a home address is common. If the property belongs to a family member, the NOC comes from them. Make sure the address on the bill matches the address you enter in the forms exactly, including the PIN code.
Company-level details
- Proposed names. Keep one or two options ready, with a line on what each name means if it is a coined word.
- Main business activity. A clear description of what the company will do. This feeds into the objects clause of the Memorandum of Association.
- Capital structure. Authorised capital, paid-up capital, and how shares will be split between the subscribers.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA and AoA). Usually drafted by your professional from standard formats and signed digitally by the subscribers.
- Director consent and declarations, generally generated during the filing and signed with DSCs.
How the filing typically works
- DSCs are issued for directors and subscribers.
- Name reservation through Part A of the SPICe+ form (or as part of the full filing). Once approved, the name is reserved for a limited period, so the rest of the filing should follow promptly.
- Incorporation filing through Part B of SPICe+, with the e-MoA, e-AoA and the linked AGILE-PRO-S form. Depending on your choices and state, the linked form can cover applications such as GST, EPFO, ESIC and a bank account.
- Stamp duty and MCA fees are paid online. Stamp duty depends on your state and authorised capital.
- Certificate of Incorporation is issued with the company’s CIN, and the company’s PAN and TAN are allotted.
With complete documents, incorporation often takes around one to two weeks, but MCA processing time varies and the registrar may ask for changes or resubmission.
After incorporation: the first steps
Incorporation is the beginning, not the end. Common early tasks include:
- Open the company’s bank account and deposit the subscription money.
- Appoint the first auditor — typically by the board within 30 days of incorporation.
- File the commencement of business declaration (INC-20A), typically within 180 days, with proof that shareholders have paid for their shares.
- Issue share certificates and set up statutory registers and minutes books.
- Register for GST, professional tax and other licences if they apply to you and were not covered at incorporation.
- Set up proper books from day one, so the first annual filings are straightforward.
Annual MCA filings, director KYC and board meetings then follow every year. Our ROC and annual compliance service covers these.
Quick checklist
- PAN, ID proof and recent address proof for each director and shareholder
- Photo, own email and own mobile number for each person
- Utility bill, owner’s NOC and rent agreement or ownership proof for the office
- One or two proposed names and a description of the business
- Capital and shareholding split
Our Jayanagar team handles company, LLP and OPC incorporation from ₹11,999, with government fees and stamp duty shown separately in your quote.