How to Register a Company Online in India — MCA Portal Step-by-Step

Registering a company in India is now a fully digital process through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal. With the introduction of the SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) form, you can incorporate a company, get PAN, TAN, GSTIN, EPFO, and ESIC registration — all in a single application.

This guide covers every step from choosing your company type to completing post-incorporation compliance.

Types of Companies You Can Register in India

Before starting the registration process, choose the right business structure:

Private Limited Company

The most popular choice for startups and growing businesses. Requires a minimum of 2 directors and 2 shareholders (can be the same persons). Offers limited liability protection and is easy to raise funding with. Maximum of 200 shareholders allowed.

One Person Company (OPC)

Ideal for solo entrepreneurs who want limited liability without a partner. Requires only 1 director and 1 shareholder (same person). You must nominate a second person as nominee director. OPC has been made more accessible — there is no turnover or paid-up capital threshold for conversion.

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

Combines the benefits of a partnership with limited liability. Requires a minimum of 2 designated partners. Lower compliance burden than a Private Limited Company. Registered through a separate FiLLiP form (not SPICe+), but on the same MCA portal.

Section 8 Company (Non-Profit)

For organizations with charitable or social objectives — promotion of arts, science, education, sports, research, social welfare, etc. Profits must be used for the company's objectives and cannot be distributed as dividends. Requires a licence from the Central Government before incorporation.

Note: This guide primarily covers Private Limited Company, OPC, and Section 8 company registration through SPICe+. LLP registration uses the FiLLiP form but follows a similar digital process on MCA.

Documents Required for Company Registration

Keep these documents ready before you begin:

For Directors/Subscribers

• PAN card of all directors (mandatory for Indian nationals) — Apply for PAN online if you don't have one
• Aadhaar card of all directors
• Passport-size photographs
• Address proof (Aadhaar/Voter ID/Passport/Driving Licence)
• Mobile number and email ID (for OTP verification)
• Passport (mandatory for foreign nationals)

For Registered Office

• Proof of registered office address — electricity bill, water bill, or property tax receipt (not older than 2 months)
• Rent agreement or lease deed (if rented)
• NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the property owner

Step-by-Step Company Registration Process via SPICe+

Step 1: Obtain Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory for all proposed directors. The DSC is used to digitally sign all MCA forms.

How to get DSC:

1. Apply through a Certifying Authority licensed by CCA (Controller of Certifying Authorities) — such as eMudhra, Sify, or NSDL
2. Complete video-based KYC or in-person verification
3. DSC is typically issued within 1–2 working days
4. Cost: ₹800–₹2,000 depending on validity (1–3 years)

Register your DSC on the MCA portal by going to My Profile → Manage DSC after logging into your MCA account.

Step 2: Register on MCA Portal

1. Visit the MCA portal at mca.gov.in
2. Click "Register" to create a new business user account
3. Fill in your name, email, mobile number, and create a password
4. Verify via OTP sent to your email and mobile
5. Log in to your MCA account

Step 3: Reserve Your Company Name (RUN — Reserve Unique Name)

Before filing SPICe+, reserve your company name using the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) web service:

1. Go to MCA Services → Company Services → Reserve Unique Name
2. You can propose up to 2 names in a single application
3. RUN fee: ₹1,000 (re-submission after rejection is ₹1,000 again)
4. Name is reserved for 20 days upon approval

Tips for name approval:

• Check existing company names on the MCA portal before applying
• Avoid names identical or similar to existing companies or trademarks
• The name must include "Private Limited" (for Pvt Ltd) or "Limited" at the end
• Avoid names that suggest government affiliation

You can also apply for name reservation as Part A of SPICe+ directly, skipping the separate RUN filing.

Step 4: File SPICe+ Form (Part A — Name Reservation)

SPICe+ is divided into two parts:

Part A handles name reservation:

1. Log in to MCA portal → MCA Services → Company Services → SPICe+
2. Select company type (Private/OPC/Section 8)
3. Propose up to 2 company names with significance/meaning
4. Submit Part A — approval usually takes 1–3 working days

Step 5: File SPICe+ Form (Part B — Incorporation)

Once your name is approved, proceed with Part B:

1. Company details: Registered office address, main business activity (NIC code), authorized and paid-up share capital
2. Director details: DIN (Director Identification Number) is auto-allotted through SPICe+ — no separate DIN application needed. Enter details for each director including name, address, PAN, and Aadhaar
3. Subscriber details: Details of shareholders and their share allocation
4. Stamp duty: E-stamp duty is paid online within the form (varies by state)

Linked forms auto-filed with SPICe+ Part B:

Step 6: Upload MOA and AOA

The Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) are the two foundational documents of a company:

• MOA (INC-33): Defines the company's objectives, authorized capital, and scope of operations
• AOA (INC-34): Contains rules for internal management — meetings, voting rights, director appointments, dividend policy

For companies with standard objectives, use the eMOA and eAOA templates available in SPICe+. These are auto-generated based on the information you fill in.

For Section 8 companies or companies with customized clauses, upload a separately drafted MOA/AOA signed by all subscribers.

Step 7: Submit and Pay Fees

1. Attach all required documents (DSC, identity proofs, address proofs, NOC)
2. Digitally sign the form using the DSC of all directors and a practicing professional (CA/CS/Cost Accountant)
3. Pay the incorporation fee online
4. Submit the form — MCA processes and issues the Certificate of Incorporation typically within 3–7 working days

What You Get After Incorporation

Upon successful processing, MCA issues:

• Certificate of Incorporation with CIN (Corporate Identification Number)
• PAN and TAN — auto-allotted by the Income Tax Department (no separate application needed)
• DIN for all directors who didn't already have one
• GSTIN — if applied through AGILE-PRO-S. You may need to complete GST registration separately if additional details are required. See our GST registration guide
• EPFO and ESIC registration — employer codes allotted automatically through AGILE-PRO-S. Learn more about EPF processes

Company Registration Fees

Fees depend on the authorized share capital of the company:

Additional costs:

• DSC: ₹800–₹2,000 per director
• Professional fee (CA/CS): ₹5,000–₹15,000 (if hiring a professional)
• Stamp duty: Varies by state (₹1,000–₹5,000 typically)
• RUN fee (if filed separately): ₹1,000

Total estimated cost for a basic Private Limited Company: ₹7,000–₹20,000 depending on professional fees and state stamp duty.

GSTIN, EPFO, and ESIC Registration

GST Registration

Through the AGILE-PRO-S form (filed alongside SPICe+), you get a provisional GSTIN. However, you may need to:

1. Log in to the GST portal to complete your registration
2. Upload additional documents (bank account details, business premises proof)
3. The provisional ID converts to a final GSTIN after verification

For detailed steps, see our complete GST registration guide.

EPFO Registration

Automatically allotted through AGILE-PRO-S. Once you have 20+ employees, EPF registration becomes mandatory. The employer code is generated and linked to your company's PAN.

ESIC Registration

Also allotted through AGILE-PRO-S for applicable establishments. ESIC is mandatory for businesses with 10+ employees (in some states) where employee wages are up to ₹21,000/month.

Post-Incorporation Compliance

After receiving your Certificate of Incorporation, complete these within the prescribed timelines:

Within 30 Days

• Open a current bank account in the company's name using the Certificate of Incorporation, PAN, and AOA/MOA
• Deposit the subscription money (share capital) into the company's bank account
• Issue share certificates to all subscribers
• File INC-20A (Declaration for Commencement of Business) — mandatory before starting business operations

Within 180 Days

• Appoint an auditor — file ADT-1 with MCA within 15 days of the AGM at which the auditor is appointed. First auditor must be appointed within 30 days of incorporation

Ongoing Annual Compliance

• Annual Return (MGT-7/MGT-7A): File within 60 days of the AGM
• Financial Statements (AOC-4): File within 30 days of the AGM
• Income Tax Return: File annually by the due date
• GST Returns: Monthly/quarterly as applicable
• Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC): Every director must update KYC annually by September 30
• Board meetings: Minimum 4 per year (at least 1 every 120 days)
• AGM: Must be held within 6 months of the financial year-end

MSME/Udyam Registration

If your company qualifies as a Micro, Small, or Medium Enterprise, register on the Udyam portal to avail benefits like priority lending, reduced fees, and government tender preferences.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not registering DSC on MCA portal before filing SPICe+ — leads to form rejection
2. Choosing a name too similar to an existing company or trademark — causes delays
3. Incorrect NIC code for business activity — difficult to change later
4. Not filing INC-20A — your company cannot commence business without it, and directors face penalties
5. Missing DIR-3 KYC deadline — DIN gets deactivated, requiring ₹5,000 penalty for reactivation

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does company registration take in India?

With SPICe+, the entire process typically takes 7–15 working days — including DSC procurement (1–2 days), name approval (1–3 days), and incorporation approval (3–7 days). If documents are in order, some registrations complete in as few as 3–4 days.

Can I register a company without a CA or CS?

Technically, directors can file SPICe+ themselves. However, certain forms require certification by a practicing CA, CS, or Cost Accountant. For first-time registrations, hiring a professional is recommended to avoid rejections and delays.

What is the minimum capital required to register a company?

There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement for Private Limited Companies or OPCs. You can start with as low as ₹1,000. However, authorized capital affects the MCA registration fee.

Can NRIs or foreign nationals register a company in India?

Yes. At least one director must be an Indian resident (stayed in India for 120+ days in the previous financial year). Foreign nationals need a valid passport, and their documents must be notarized and apostilled.

What is the difference between SPICe+ and FiLLiP?

SPICe+ is used for incorporating Private Limited Companies, OPCs, and Section 8 companies. FiLLiP (Form for incorporating LLP) is used specifically for LLP registration. Both are filed on the MCA portal, but they are separate forms with different requirements.

Can I change my company name after registration?

Yes, you can change the company name by passing a special resolution and filing INC-24 with MCA. The new name must be approved through RUN. A fee of ₹1,000 applies for name reservation plus form filing fees.

Is GST registration automatic with company incorporation?

GST registration is initiated through the AGILE-PRO-S form filed with SPICe+. However, you may need to complete additional steps on the GST portal to activate your GSTIN. It is not fully automatic in all cases.

Company registration in India has been significantly simplified through the SPICe+ integrated process. With proper documentation and a clear understanding of the steps, you can incorporate your business digitally without visiting any government office. For related registrations, check our guides on GST registration, Udyam MSME registration, and PAN card application.