Company Registration Online: MCA Process & Documents

What is Company Registration?

Company registration in India is the process of legally incorporating a business entity under the Companies Act, 2013 (or LLP Act, 2008 for LLPs). Registration is done through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal using the SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) form.

Upon registration, your company gets a CIN (Corporate Identification Number), PAN, TAN, GSTIN, EPFO, and ESIC registration — all through a single integrated form.

Types of Companies

Documents Required

For Directors / Partners

• PAN card — Apply for PAN
• Aadhaar card — Apply for Aadhaar
• Passport-size photograph
• Mobile number and email (for OTP verification)
• Address proof (bank statement / electricity bill / phone bill — not older than 2 months)
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — Class 3 DSC for at least one director

For the Company

• Proposed company name (2 options)
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) — auto-generated via SPICe+
• Articles of Association (AOA) — auto-generated via SPICe+
• Registered office address proof:
  • Utility bill (not older than 2 months)
  • NOC from premises owner
  • Rent agreement (if rented)

For Foreign Directors/Shareholders

• Passport (mandatory)
• Address proof (apostilled/notarised)
• PAN is not mandatory for foreign nationals but recommended

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Obtain Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

1. Apply for Class 3 DSC from a licensed Certifying Authority (e.g., eMudhra, Sify, CDAC)
2. DSC costs approximately ₹800-₹2,000 depending on validity
3. DSC is required for at least one proposed director to sign forms electronically
4. Processing time: 1-3 days

Step 2: Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN)

• DIN is now applied as part of the SPICe+ form — no separate application needed
• Up to 3 DINs can be allotted through SPICe+ Part A

Step 3: Name Approval (SPICe+ Part A)

1. Visit mca.gov.in and log in (register if new user)
2. Go to MCA Services → Company Services → SPICe+ Part A
3. Propose 2 unique names in order of preference
4. Name should not be identical/similar to existing companies (check on MCA portal)
5. Pay fee of ₹1,000 (adjustable against incorporation fee)
6. Name is reserved for 20 days upon approval

Step 4: File SPICe+ Part B (Incorporation)

1. After name approval, proceed to SPICe+ Part B
2. Fill in details:
   • Company type (Pvt Ltd / OPC / Public)
   • Registered office address
   • Director/subscriber details
   • Share capital and shareholding pattern
   • Objects of the company (from NIC codes)
3. Attach:
   • MOA (INC-33) and AOA (INC-34) — auto-generated
   • Director ID proof and address proof
   • Registered office proof
   • Declaration by directors and professionals (INC-9)
4. File linked form AGILE-PRO-S for:
   • GSTIN application
   • EPFO registration
   • ESIC registration
   • Bank account opening
   • Professional Tax registration (for applicable states)

Step 5: Pay Fees and Submit

• Pay the incorporation fee online
• Submit the form with DSC of director and practicing professional (CA/CS/CMA)
• A practicing professional must certify the incorporation

Step 6: Receive Certificate of Incorporation

• MCA processes the application within 3-5 working days
• Upon approval, you receive:
  • Certificate of Incorporation with CIN
  • PAN and TAN of the company
  • GSTIN (if applied through AGILE-PRO-S)

Fees

MCA Incorporation Fees (Pvt Ltd)

Additional Costs

Total typical cost for incorporating a Pvt Ltd company: ₹5,000-₹15,000 (including professional fees and stamp duty).

LLP Registration Process

LLP registration follows a similar but slightly different process:

1. Obtain DSC for designated partners
2. File FiLLiP form (Form for incorporation of LLP) on MCA portal
3. Name reservation is part of FiLLiP form
4. Upload LLP Agreement within 30 days of incorporation
5. Fee: ₹500 (for LLP with contribution up to ₹1 lakh)

Processing Time

Important Tips

1. Choose unique names — check MCA database and trademark registry before proposing names
2. DSC is mandatory — get it first as other steps depend on it
3. Professional certification — a practicing CA, CS, or CMA must certify the SPICe+ form
4. Registered office — must have a valid address at incorporation (can be residential)
5. Post-incorporation compliance — file INC-20A (declaration of commencement of business) within 180 days
6. MSME registration — after incorporation, register for Udyam certificate for MSME benefits

FAQs

Q1: What is the minimum capital required for Pvt Ltd company?

There is no minimum capital requirement since 2015. You can start with even ₹1,000 as authorised capital.

Q2: Can a single person start a company?

Yes, through One Person Company (OPC). You need only 1 director and 1 nominee. There is no turnover or capital limit for OPC.

Q3: What is the difference between Pvt Ltd and LLP?

Pvt Ltd has shares, directors, and more compliance requirements but is preferred by investors. LLP has partners, fewer compliances, and is suitable for professional services firms.

Q4: How long does company registration take?

The complete process takes 7-15 working days from DSC procurement to receiving the Certificate of Incorporation.

Q5: Can NRIs or foreigners be directors?

Yes, NRIs and foreign nationals can be directors. At least 1 director must be resident in India (stayed 120+ days in the previous financial year).

Q6: What is SPICe+ form?

SPICe+ (INC-32) is MCA's integrated incorporation form that combines company registration, PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO, and ESIC applications in a single form.

Q7: What compliances are required after incorporation?

Key compliances include: INC-20A within 180 days, appointment of auditor (ADT-1) within 30 days, annual return (MGT-7), financial statements (AOC-4), income tax return, and GST returns if applicable.

This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Government of India. Always verify details on the official MCA Portal before proceeding.