How to register a Private Limited Company in India

A Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) is the most popular structure for startups and growing businesses in India. It gives you limited liability, a separate legal identity, and the credibility investors and banks look for. This guide walks through who can register one, what you need, and exactly how the process works.

Is a Private Limited Company right for you?

A Pvt Ltd is usually the best fit if you plan to raise external funding, want to limit your personal liability, or need a structure that looks credible to clients and lenders. It carries more compliance than a proprietorship or LLP, so if you're a solo freelancer testing an idea, a lighter structure may suit you better — see our guide on choosing between proprietorship, LLP and Pvt Ltd.

What you need before you start

• A minimum of 2 directors and 2 shareholders. The same people can be both, and at least one director must be resident in India.
• A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for each director — all filings to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) are signed digitally.
• A Director Identification Number (DIN) for each director (allotted through the incorporation form if you don't already have one).
• A registered office address in India with proof (a utility bill plus a no-objection certificate from the owner).
• Identity and address proof for every director and shareholder — PAN, Aadhaar, a passport-size photo, and a recent bank statement or utility bill.

The step-by-step process

The whole incorporation runs through the MCA's SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating a Company Electronically Plus) form.

1. Get Digital Signature Certificates. Each proposed director needs a DSC before any form can be signed.
2. Reserve your company name. File SPICe+ Part A with one or two proposed names. The Registrar checks they're unique and not too similar to an existing company or trademark.
3. File for incorporation (SPICe+ Part B). This single integrated form covers incorporation, DIN allotment, PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, and (where applicable) GST and a bank account.
4. Draft and attach the MoA and AoA. The Memorandum of Association defines what the company can do; the Articles of Association set its internal rules. These are filed as linked forms (SPICe+ MoA and AoA).
5. Receive your Certificate of Incorporation. Once approved, the MCA issues the certificate along with the company's PAN and TAN.
6. Open the company bank account and complete any post-incorporation steps (such as filing the commencement-of-business declaration in INC-20A).

How long does it take and what does it cost?

Incorporation typically takes 10–15 working days, subject to MCA processing times and how quickly documents are provided. The total cost has two parts:

There is no mandatory minimum paid-up capital — you can start with a nominal amount such as ₹10,000 of authorised capital.

Because government and stamp-duty charges depend on your state and capital, the exact total is confirmed during onboarding. Our package below handles every step above for a single, clear professional fee.

Don't forget ongoing compliance

A Pvt Ltd has annual obligations even in its first year — board meetings, an auditor appointment, and annual filings with the MCA. Plan for these from day one; our guide on annual ROC compliance for companies explains what's due and when.