How to register a company in India — the 2026 guide
Everything the incorporation process actually involves — the SPICe+ form, the documents, the realistic costs and timeline, and the compliances that begin the day your certificate arrives.
Registering a company in India is now a single online process on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal. Done right, a private limited company can be incorporated in one to three weeks. Done casually, it stalls on name rejections, mismatched documents and resubmissions. This guide walks through the process as we run it for clients.
Step 1: Choose the right structure before anything else
Most founders choose between a private limited company (best for startups that want investors, ESOPs and a separate legal identity), an LLP (best for professional firms and businesses that want limited liability with lighter compliance), and a sole proprietorship (simplest, but no liability protection). If you expect to raise equity funding, a private limited company is almost always the answer — investors rarely fund any other structure. We compare the options in detail in our LLP vs private limited company guide.
Step 2: Digital signatures and name approval
Every proposed director needs a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), issued in a day or two against PAN, Aadhaar and a short video verification. In parallel, you reserve the company name through Part A of the SPICe+ form. Two names can be proposed per application. Names fail most often because they are too close to an existing company or trademark — check the MCA name search and the trademark registry before applying.
Step 3: File SPICe+ Part B — one form, several registrations
SPICe+ Part B is the incorporation application itself. Along with the linked AGILE-PRO-S form, a single filing covers the certificate of incorporation, DIN for up to three directors, PAN, TAN, EPFO and ESIC registration, a professional-tax registration where applicable, and even the company's first bank account. GST can be applied for in the same form or separately later. The memorandum and articles of association (MoA and AoA) are filed electronically alongside.
Documents you will need
- PAN and Aadhaar of every director and shareholder
- Passport-size photographs, and passport itself for foreign nationals
- Proof of identity (voter ID / driving licence / passport)
- Recent bank statement or utility bill as address proof of each director
- Registered-office proof: utility bill plus a no-objection letter from the owner
- MoA and AoA (drafted as part of the filing)
What it costs and how long it takes
The MCA filing fee is zero for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh — the statutory outgo is mainly stamp duty (which varies sharply by state) and DSC costs of roughly ₹1,500–2,500 per director. Expect one to three weeks from DSC to certificate; the statutory breakdown is in our cost guide. For an all-inclusive quote for your state and structure, send us an enquiry — we respond within one business day.
After the certificate: the clock starts
Incorporation is the beginning, not the end. The declaration of commencement of business (INC-20A) is due within 180 days, the first auditor must be appointed within 30 days, and share certificates must be issued within two months. Miss these and penalties accrue quietly. Our first-year compliance checklist covers every date.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register a company in India completely online?
Yes. The entire process — name reservation, incorporation, PAN, TAN and even EPFO/ESIC registration — runs through the MCA's SPICe+ form online. Physical presence is not required at any stage.
How many people are needed to start a private limited company?
A minimum of two shareholders and two directors (they can be the same people). At least one director must be resident in India. A single founder can instead register a One Person Company (OPC).
How long does company registration take in 2026?
Typically 7–20 working days end to end: 1–2 days for digital signatures, 1–3 days for name approval, and the balance for SPICe+ processing by the Registrar of Companies.
Is there a minimum capital requirement?
No. The minimum paid-up capital requirement was abolished; companies are commonly registered with ₹1 lakh authorised capital or less, and the MCA filing fee is nil up to ₹15 lakh of authorised capital.
We register companies and LLPs end-to-end — incorporation, GST, and first-year compliance — for founders in India and abroad. Tell us what you are setting up and we will reply with a scoped plan and quote within one business day.
This guide is published for general information and does not constitute professional advice. Fees, thresholds and due dates change; please consult the firm before acting on anything you read here. Income-tax section references follow the Income-tax Act, 1961 (which governs income up to FY 2025-26) with the corresponding Income-tax Act, 2025 references indicated where relevant for tax year 2026-27 onwards.