Private Limited Company Registration
Incorporation of a private limited company and the post-incorporation registrations.
Usually 10–20 working days, subject to name approval and departmental processing
A private limited company is a separate legal person. It owns its own assets, contracts in its own name, and its shareholders' liability is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares. It continues irrespective of changes in shareholding or management.
It is the structure most often expected by institutional investors and by larger customers, and it carries the heaviest annual compliance of the common options.
What incorporation involves
Incorporation requires at least two shareholders and two directors, at least one of whom is resident in India, a registered office in India, and digital signatures for the subscribers. The name must be available and must not too closely resemble an existing company or a registered trademark.
The memorandum and articles set out the objects of the company and the rules governing its internal affairs. Standard articles are adequate for most new companies, but where shareholders want specific arrangements on transfers or board composition, those belong here rather than in an informal understanding.
Compliance from day one
The obligations begin immediately: a bank account and the subscription money brought in, the declaration of commencement of business filed within the prescribed period, an auditor appointed within thirty days of incorporation, board meetings held at the required frequency, and annual filings thereafter.
These are not optional and several carry penalties that accrue daily. We set out the calendar at incorporation so nothing is missed in the first year.
Who needs this
- Founders expecting to raise outside investment
- Businesses whose customers require a corporate counterparty
- Ventures with multiple shareholders wanting defined rights
- Businesses wanting limited liability and perpetual succession
Eligibility and conditions
- At least two shareholders and two directors
- At least one director resident in India
- A registered office address in India, with proof
- Digital signatures for the subscribers
What this covers
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Name approval
Availability checked against companies and trademarks.
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Digital signatures and DIN
Obtained for the proposed directors.
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Incorporation documents
Memorandum and articles prepared for your objects.
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Filing and follow-up
Application filed and departmental queries answered.
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Post-incorporation setup
PAN, TAN, bank account and GST registration.
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First-year calendar
Auditor appointment, commencement filing and annual dates.
How the process works
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Structure and names
Shareholding settled and name options checked.
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Digital signatures
Obtained for each subscriber and director.
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Draft documents
Memorandum and articles prepared for your objects.
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File incorporation
Application submitted and queries answered.
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Post-incorporation
PAN, TAN, bank account, auditor appointment and calendar.
Documents required
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PAN and Aadhaar of each director
And of each shareholder.
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Photographs
Recent passport-size photographs.
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Proof of identity and address
Of each director and shareholder, as prescribed.
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Registered office proof
Electricity bill with owner's no-objection certificate.
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Proposed names
Two or three options in order of preference.
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Shareholding pattern
Who holds what proportion, and the proposed capital.
The list above is indicative. Additional documents may be required depending on your case and the current departmental requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Should I start as a proprietorship, an LLP or a private limited company?
It depends on who bears the liability, how you expect to fund the business, and how much annual compliance you are willing to carry. A proprietorship is simplest but leaves you personally liable without limit. An LLP limits liability with moderate compliance. A private limited company offers limited liability and the clearest route to outside investment, with the heaviest compliance.
There is no answer that is right for everyone. Tell us what you are planning and we will set out the trade-offs on your facts.
Articles on this topic
Incorporating a company?
Tell us the shareholding and what the business will do, and we will set out the process and the first-year obligations.