How to Register a Public Limited Company in India
Step by step guide to register a Public Limited Company in India in 2026. Covers minimum capital, director requirements, SPICe+ incorporation, SEBI compliance, IPO readiness, and Public vs Private Company differences.
Documents Required
- PAN Card of all directors and subscribers
- Aadhaar Card of all directors for identity verification
- Passport-size colour photographs of all directors
- Address proof of all directors such as passport, voter ID, or driving license
- Proof of registered office address including rent agreement or sale deed, NOC from property owner, and utility bill not older than 2 months
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of all directors and subscribers
- Director Identification Number (DIN) for all proposed directors
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
- Declaration by professionals and first directors in prescribed format
- Identity and address proof of all 7 initial subscribers
Tools & Prerequisites
- Internet access for MCA portal filing, DSC registration, and online applications
- Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for each director and subscriber for e-signing MCA forms
- Active mobile numbers linked to Aadhaar for OTP verification
- Internet banking or UPI for paying MCA registration fees and stamp duty
- Valid email address for MCA account registration and correspondence
A Public Limited Company is the most prestigious and scalable form of business entity in India. It offers the ability to raise capital from the general public, list shares on stock exchanges, and operate without restrictions on share transfers or member count. If you are planning to build a large-scale enterprise, attract public investment through an IPO, or establish a company with broad ownership, a Public Limited Company is the right structure.
Registering a Public Limited Company involves more rigorous requirements than a Private Limited Company - you need a minimum of 7 shareholders, 3 directors, and must comply with stricter governance and disclosure norms under the Companies Act 2013. This guide walks you through the entire registration process step by step, covering eligibility, documentation, MCA filing through SPICe+, post-incorporation compliance, and the path to stock exchange listing.
What is a Public Limited Company
A Public Limited Company is a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 whose shares can be offered to the general public and are freely transferable without any restriction. The company name ends with the word "Limited" (not "Private Limited" like private companies).
Key Features
- Separate legal entity: The company exists independently of its shareholders and directors, can own property, sue, and be sued in its own name
- Limited liability: Shareholders' liability is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares. Personal assets are protected from company debts
- Minimum 7 shareholders: At least 7 persons must subscribe to the MOA at the time of incorporation. There is no maximum limit on the number of members
- Minimum 3 directors: The board must have at least 3 directors, with a maximum of 15 (can be increased by special resolution)
- Freely transferable shares: Unlike a private company, shares of a public company can be transferred without any restriction from the board or other shareholders
- Can invite public subscription: Can raise equity capital from the general public through IPOs, FPOs, and rights issues after meeting SEBI requirements
- Perpetual succession: The company continues to exist regardless of changes in shareholders or directors
- Statutory meetings: Must hold statutory meetings, board meetings (minimum 4 per year), and an annual general meeting every year
Why Register a Public Limited Company
- Access to public capital: The primary advantage is the ability to raise funds from the general public by issuing shares through stock exchanges. This provides access to far larger pools of capital than private companies can access
- Higher credibility and trust: A public company commands greater trust from customers, vendors, banks, and government agencies due to its regulated structure and public disclosures
- Stock exchange listing: Once listed, shares become liquid, allowing shareholders to buy and sell freely. This creates wealth for founders, employees (through ESOPs), and investors
- Employee attraction: Large companies with public listing can offer ESOPs, stock grants, and other equity-based compensation that attract top talent
- Mergers and acquisitions: Publicly traded shares make acquisitions easier through share swaps and public market valuations
- Brand visibility: Listed companies receive significant media coverage and market visibility, boosting brand recognition
- Government contracts: Many large government contracts and tenders prefer or require public limited company status
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Shareholders | 7 (no upper limit) |
| Minimum Directors | 3 (maximum 15, extendable by special resolution) |
| Indian Resident Director | At least 1 director must have stayed in India for 182+ days in the previous calendar year |
| Minimum Paid-up Capital | No statutory minimum (removed in 2015). Practical minimum 1 lakh rupees recommended |
| Registered Office | Must have a registered office address in India |
| Company Name | Must end with "Limited" |
| DSC Requirement | Class 3 DSC for all directors and subscribers |
| Professional Certification | Declaration by a practicing CA, CS, or Cost Accountant required |
Public Limited vs Private Limited Company
| Feature | Public Limited Company | Private Limited Company |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name Suffix | Limited | Private Limited |
| Minimum Members | 7 | 2 |
| Maximum Members | No limit | 200 |
| Minimum Directors | 3 | 2 |
| Share Transferability | Freely transferable | Restricted by AOA |
| Public Issue of Shares | Allowed (after SEBI approval) | Not allowed |
| Stock Exchange Listing | Possible | Not possible |
| Prospectus/Offer Document | Required for public issue | Not applicable |
| Company Secretary | Mandatory if paid-up capital exceeds 10 crore | Mandatory if paid-up capital exceeds 10 crore |
| Compliance Level | Very high | Moderate |
| Best For | Large enterprises, IPO-bound companies | Startups, SMEs, family businesses |
Documents Required for Public Limited Company Registration
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| PAN Card of all directors and subscribers | Identity verification, DIN application, SPICe+ filing |
| Aadhaar Card of all directors | Address verification, Aadhaar-based e-KYC |
| Passport-size photographs of all directors | DIN application, DSC application |
| Address proof of all directors (passport/voter ID/driving license) | DIN application, KYC verification |
| Identity and address proof of all 7+ subscribers | MOA subscription verification |
| Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for all directors | Signing SPICe+ form, MOA, AOA |
| Rent agreement or sale deed of registered office | Proof of registered office address |
| NOC from property owner (if rented) | Consent for using premises as registered office |
| Utility bill (not older than 2 months) | Address verification of registered office |
| MOA and AOA | Constitutional documents of the company |
| Declaration by first directors (Form INC-9) | Confirming they are not disqualified from being directors |
| Professional declaration by CA/CS/Cost Accountant | Certifying compliance with all legal requirements |
Step 1: Obtain Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)
Every director and subscriber must obtain a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate before filing any incorporation documents with the MCA. DSC is the electronic equivalent of a physical signature and is mandatory for signing all MCA e-forms.
How to Get a DSC
- Choose a Certifying Authority (CA) like eMudhra, Sify, or CDAC
- Submit PAN card, Aadhaar card, photograph, email address, and mobile number
- Complete video-based verification for identity confirmation
- The DSC is issued on a USB token which is delivered to your address
- DSC is valid for 2 years and must be renewed before expiry
Each DSC costs between 800 to 2,000 rupees. For a public company with 3 directors and 7 subscribers, budget for at least 10 DSCs if subscribers and directors are different persons.
Step 2: Apply for Director Identification Numbers (DIN)
Every proposed director of the company must have a Director Identification Number. DIN is a unique lifetime identification number assigned by the MCA to individuals who are appointed as directors of companies registered in India.
Getting DIN Through SPICe+
- The SPICe+ form allows DIN allotment for up to 3 directors during incorporation
- For a public company requiring a minimum of 3 directors, all DINs can be obtained through the SPICe+ itself
- If you are appointing more than 3 directors, the additional directors must apply separately using Form DIR-3 before or after incorporation
- Directors who already have a DIN from previous directorships do not need a new one
Step 3: Reserve the Company Name
Apply for name reservation through the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service or SPICe+ Part A on the MCA portal.
Naming Rules for Public Companies
- The name must end with the word "Limited"
- It must not be identical or deceptively similar to an existing company, LLP, or registered trademark
- It should not contain words that suggest government patronage (like National, Indian, Republic) without prior approval
- Words like Bank, Insurance, Stock Exchange, Venture Capital require approval from the respective regulators (RBI, IRDAI, SEBI)
- The name should reflect the company's main business activity for better brand recognition
- You can propose up to 2 names in the application. The RoC approves one based on availability
The approved name is reserved for 20 days, during which you must file the SPICe+ incorporation form. The RUN application fee is 1,000 rupees.
Step 4: Draft the MOA and AOA
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
The MOA is the charter document that defines the company's relationship with the outside world. It contains:
- Name Clause: The company's full name ending with "Limited"
- Registered Office Clause: The state in which the registered office will be situated
- Objects Clause: The main business activities and ancillary objects the company will pursue
- Liability Clause: Statement that members' liability is limited to the unpaid amount on their shares
- Capital Clause: The authorized share capital and its division into shares of fixed amounts
- Subscription Clause: Signed by at least 7 subscribers, each stating the number of shares they agree to take
Articles of Association (AOA)
The AOA governs the company's internal management. For a public company, the AOA must comply with Table F of Schedule I of the Companies Act 2013 and must include provisions for:
- Share allotment, transfer, and transmission procedures (shares must be freely transferable)
- Board meeting frequency, quorum, and voting procedures
- Director appointment, rotation, removal, and remuneration
- General meeting procedures, voting rights, and proxy rules
- Dividend declaration and distribution policy
- Borrowing powers of the board
- Accounts, audit, and financial reporting requirements
- Winding up provisions
Step 5: File SPICe+ for Incorporation
SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) is the integrated incorporation form on the MCA portal that provides multiple registrations in a single application.
What SPICe+ Covers
- Company incorporation with Certificate of Incorporation and CIN
- DIN allotment for up to 3 directors
- PAN and TAN of the company
- GST registration (if applicable)
- EPFO registration (for employee provident fund)
- ESIC registration (for employee state insurance)
- Professional Tax registration (in applicable states)
- Bank account opening (DPIIT mandate requires bank to open account based on COI)
Filing Process
- Log in to mca.gov.in and navigate to SPICe+ under MCA Services
- Fill Part A for name reservation (or use a previously approved RUN name)
- Fill Part B with company details: type (Public), category, sub-category, authorized and paid-up capital, registered office address, main business activity (NIC code), and director and subscriber details
- Upload e-MOA (INC-33) and e-AOA (INC-34) digitally signed by all subscribers
- Upload AGILE-PRO-S for GST, EPFO, ESIC, and bank account registrations
- Upload declarations: INC-9 (director declaration), professional certificate from CA/CS
- Upload registered office proof (rent agreement, NOC, utility bill)
- Digitally sign the form using DSC of the applicant director and the certifying professional
- Pay the MCA filing fee (based on authorized capital) and submit
MCA Filing Fees (Based on Authorized Capital)
| Authorized Capital | MCA Filing Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 lakh rupees | Nil |
| 1 lakh to 5 lakh rupees | 2,000 |
| 5 lakh to 10 lakh rupees | 5,000 |
| 10 lakh to 50 lakh rupees | 10,000 |
| 50 lakh to 1 crore rupees | 15,000 |
| Above 1 crore rupees | Fee calculated based on slab |
Step 6: Obtain Certificate of Incorporation
After verifying all documents and forms, the Registrar of Companies issues the Certificate of Incorporation (COI) along with the company's unique Corporate Identity Number (CIN). The COI confirms that the company is legally incorporated as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act 2013.
Along with the COI, you will receive:
- PAN Card of the company
- TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number)
- GSTIN (if GST registration was applied through AGILE-PRO-S)
- EPFO and ESIC registration numbers
Step 7: File Declaration for Commencement of Business
Under Section 10A of the Companies Act 2013, every company incorporated after November 2, 2018 must file Form INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation. This is a critical step that many companies overlook.
Requirements for Filing INC-20A
- Every subscriber to the MOA must have paid for the shares they agreed to take
- The money must be deposited in the company's bank account
- The registered office must be verified and operational
- A CA, CS, or Cost Accountant must certify the declaration
Post-Incorporation Compliance
| Task | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Open company bank account | Immediately after COI | Using COI, PAN, MOA/AOA, and director KYC documents |
| Deposit share subscription money | Within 30 days of incorporation | All subscribers must pay for shares and deposit in company account |
| File INC-20A | Within 180 days of incorporation | Declaration for commencement of business |
| First Board Meeting | Within 30 days of incorporation | Appoint auditor, authorize bank operations, allot shares |
| Appoint statutory auditor | Within 30 days at first Board Meeting | File Form ADT-1 within 15 days of appointment |
| Issue share certificates | Within 60 days of incorporation | Physical or demat share certificates to all subscribers |
| Maintain statutory registers | From day of incorporation | Register of members, directors, charges, contracts, etc. |
Annual Compliance for Public Limited Companies
MCA Filings
- AOC-4: File financial statements (balance sheet, profit and loss, cash flow statement) within 30 days of AGM
- MGT-7: File annual return within 60 days of AGM
- DIR-3 KYC: Annual KYC for all directors by September 30
- ADT-1: Auditor appointment or reappointment within 15 days of AGM
Board and General Meetings
- Minimum 4 board meetings per year with gap not exceeding 120 days between consecutive meetings
- Annual General Meeting (AGM) within 6 months from the close of the financial year (by September 30 for March-ending companies)
- Maintain proper minutes of all board and general meetings
Tax Compliance
- Income Tax Return filing by October 31 (mandatory tax audit for all companies)
- Tax Audit Report by September 30
- Advance tax payments on June 15, September 15, December 15, and March 15
- TDS returns quarterly if applicable
- GST returns monthly or quarterly if registered
Path to Stock Exchange Listing (IPO)
Being incorporated as a Public Limited Company is the first step toward listing on a stock exchange. However, listing requires meeting additional SEBI eligibility criteria.
SEBI Main Board IPO Eligibility
- Net tangible assets of at least 3 crore rupees in 3 of the preceding 5 years
- Average operating profit of at least 15 crore rupees in 3 of the preceding 5 years, OR alternatively, net worth of at least 1 crore rupees in each of the preceding 3 years and minimum post-issue capital of 10 crore rupees
- Minimum post-issue paid-up equity capital of 10 crore rupees
- The company should not have been referred to NCLT for insolvency resolution
SME Platform (BSE SME / NSE Emerge)
For smaller companies, BSE SME and NSE Emerge platforms provide an alternative with relaxed eligibility:
- Minimum post-issue paid-up capital: 1 crore rupees
- Net worth of at least 1 crore rupees
- Positive operating cash flow in at least 2 of the preceding 3 years
- Issue size up to 25 crore rupees (can be up to 50 crore with migration to main board)
Cost Summary: Public Limited Company Registration in 2026
| Component | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| DSC for directors and subscribers (10 persons approx.) | 8,000 to 20,000 |
| Name reservation (RUN fee) | 1,000 |
| MCA filing fee (SPICe+) | 2,000 to 15,000 (based on authorized capital) |
| Stamp duty on MOA and AOA | 2,000 to 10,000 (varies by state and capital) |
| Professional fees (CA/CS for drafting and filing) | 10,000 to 25,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | 15,000 to 40,000 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not having 7 genuine subscribers: All 7 subscribers must be real individuals or entities who actually intend to hold shares. Using dummy subscribers leads to compliance complications later
- Forgetting Form INC-20A: Many companies overlook the Commencement of Business declaration and risk being struck off. File it within 180 days without fail
- Restrictive AOA provisions: Including share transfer restrictions or member count caps in the AOA will cause rejection. Public company AOA must allow free share transfers
- Insufficient board meetings: A public company must hold at least 4 board meetings per year. Missing meetings leads to penalties on directors and the company
- Not appointing a Company Secretary when required: If paid-up capital exceeds 10 crore rupees, a full-time CS is mandatory. Non-appointment attracts penalties
- Inadequate capital planning: While there is no minimum capital requirement, starting with too little capital (like 1 lakh) can affect credibility with banks, vendors, and potential investors. Plan your capital needs realistically
- Assuming registration means listing: Many founders believe incorporating as a public company means their shares are automatically tradeable. Listing requires a separate IPO process with SEBI approval
Conclusion
A Public Limited Company is the ideal structure for businesses that plan to scale significantly, raise capital from public markets, or operate in industries that require high credibility and regulatory oversight. The registration process requires more preparation than a private company - with 7 shareholders, 3 directors, and comprehensive MOA and AOA drafting - but the benefits of public fundraising capability, share liquidity, and institutional credibility make it worthwhile for the right business.
The key steps are: obtaining DSCs for all directors and subscribers, reserving a company name ending with "Limited", drafting MOA and AOA compliant with Table F, filing SPICe+ on the MCA portal, and filing Form INC-20A within 180 days. The total cost ranges from 15,000 to 40,000 rupees, and the process takes approximately 15 to 21 days.
If you are planning to incorporate a Public Limited Company or convert your existing Private Limited Company to one, our team at IncorpX can guide you through the entire process, from documentation to MCA filing to post-incorporation compliance setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Public Limited Company in India?
What is the minimum capital required for a Public Limited Company?
How many directors does a Public Limited Company need?
What is the difference between a Public Limited and Private Limited Company?
Can a Public Limited Company raise money from the public?
How long does it take to register a Public Limited Company?
What is a Certificate of Commencement of Business?
What annual compliance does a Public Limited Company need?
Can I convert a Private Limited Company to a Public Limited Company?
What is the role of a Company Secretary in a Public Limited Company?
What are the tax implications for a Public Limited Company?
How much does it cost to register a Public Limited Company?
What is the minimum number of shareholders for a Public Company?
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