Company Registration Cost Calculator

The total cost for a Private Limited Company registration typically ranges from Rs 6,000 to Rs 25,000 depending on your authorized capital, state of incorporation, and number of directors. This includes the SPICe+ filing fee (Rs 0 to Rs 2,000 for most startups), stamp duty on MOA and AOA (varies by state), DIN fees (Rs 500 per director), DSC costs (Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 each), and name reservation via RUN (Rs 1,000).

SPICe+ stands for Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company electronically Plus. It is the integrated incorporation form used by MCA that bundles seven services into a single application: company name reservation via RUN (Part A), incorporation and certificate of registration (Part B), DIN allotment for up to three directors, PAN of the company, TAN of the company, EPFO employer registration, ESIC employer registration, and mandatory bank account opening request. This single-window system replaced the earlier multi-step process in 2020.

No. The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015 removed the earlier minimum capital requirement of Rs 1 lakh for Private Limited Companies and Rs 5 lakh for Public Limited Companies. You can now incorporate a company with as little as Rs 10,000 authorized capital. However, most founders choose Rs 1 lakh as a practical starting point since the SPICe+ filing fee is Rs 0 for capital up to Rs 10 lakh, and the stamp duty remains minimal at this level.

Stamp duty on MOA and AOA is a state subject, so every state has its own rates. MOA stamp duty is usually a flat fee between Rs 100 and Rs 500 regardless of capital. AOA stamp duty is where the real variation lies. Some states charge a fixed amount (e.g., Goa at Rs 100), some use a percentage of authorized capital (e.g., Maharashtra at 0.15%), and others use slabs (e.g., Delhi at Rs 500 for capital up to Rs 1 lakh). This means the same company could pay Rs 200 in stamp duty in Assam but over Rs 5,000 in Maharashtra at higher capital levels.

Authorized capital is the maximum amount of share capital your company is allowed to issue as declared in the Memorandum of Association. Paid-up capital is the amount shareholders have actually paid for their shares. Government fees for incorporation are always calculated based on authorized capital, not paid-up capital. For example, you can set Rs 10 lakh as authorized capital but only issue and collect Rs 1 lakh as paid-up capital initially. You cannot issue shares beyond the authorized limit without filing SH-7 to increase it.

A Director Identification Number costs Rs 500 per director when applied through the SPICe+ form. Every proposed director who does not already hold a DIN needs one allotted during incorporation. A Private Limited Company needs at least 2 directors, an OPC needs 1, and a Public Limited Company needs at least 3. If a person already has a DIN from a previous appointment, no new DIN or fee is required. After allotment, directors must file DIR-3 KYC annually (Rs 500 via web service, Rs 5,000 if filed late).

A Digital Signature Certificate is the electronic equivalent of a physical signature used to authenticate documents filed on the MCA portal. Every proposed director needs a Class 3 DSC to digitally sign the SPICe+ form and other incorporation documents. DSCs cost approximately Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 each and are valid for 2 years. They are issued by licensed Certifying Authorities such as eMudhra, Capricorn, Sify, and NSDL. You will continue to need the DSC for all future MCA filings as well.

The SPICe+ filing fee charged by MCA is Rs 0 for companies with authorized capital up to Rs 10 lakh (Rs 15 lakh for Section 8 companies). However, this only covers the MCA filing fee component. You still need to pay stamp duty on MOA and AOA (varies by state), DIN fees (Rs 500 per director), DSC costs (Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 each), and the RUN name reservation fee (Rs 1,000). So while the main MCA filing is free for most startups, other mandatory costs still add up to Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 minimum.

RUN stands for Reserve Unique Name. It is the name reservation service integrated into SPICe+ as Part A. The fee is Rs 1,000 per application, and you can propose up to 2 name choices. MCA checks for similarity with existing company names, trademarks, and prohibited words. If both names are rejected, you must file a fresh RUN application with another Rs 1,000 fee. Approved names are reserved for 20 days, within which you must file SPICe+ Part B for incorporation. Choosing a distinctive name that is not too generic or similar to existing companies helps avoid rejection.

With all documents ready and no queries from the Registrar, company registration through SPICe+ typically takes 7 to 15 working days. The breakdown is roughly: name approval via RUN (1 to 3 days), SPICe+ Part B processing and incorporation certificate (5 to 7 days), PAN and TAN generation (2 to 3 days). Delays can happen if the ROC raises queries about the name, registered office address, or subscriber details. Filing with complete and accurate documentation reduces the chances of resubmission.

Private Limited is the most popular choice for startups with total government fees starting around Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 for Rs 1 lakh capital. OPC has similar costs but requires only 1 director plus a nominee. Public Limited Companies need at least 3 directors and 7 shareholders, and some states charge higher AOA stamp duty for public entities. Section 8 companies (non-profit) get concessional SPICe+ fees and reduced stamp duty in several states, making them the cheapest to incorporate despite having the same structure as Pvt Ltd or Public Ltd.

The required documents include: PAN card and Aadhaar card of all proposed directors, recent passport-size photographs, address proof of directors (bank statement, utility bill, or passport not older than 2 months), proof of registered office address (rent agreement or ownership deed plus NOC from the owner plus a recent utility bill in the owner name), DSC of all proposed directors, and the drafted MOA and AOA. If any director is a foreign national, they need a valid passport and an apostilled or notarized address proof from their country of residence.

Authorized capital directly impacts two major cost components. First, the SPICe+ filing fee is Rs 0 for capital up to Rs 10 lakh, Rs 2,000 for Rs 10 to Rs 50 lakh, and increases further at higher levels. Second, AOA stamp duty in many states is either a percentage of authorized capital or uses slabs tied to capital ranges. For example, in Maharashtra, AOA stamp duty is 0.15% of capital, so Rs 1 lakh capital means Rs 150 while Rs 10 lakh capital means Rs 1,500. Starting with Rs 1 lakh authorized capital is the most cost-effective approach.

Yes. You can increase authorized capital at any time by passing a special resolution at a general meeting and filing Form SH-7 with MCA. The SH-7 filing fee is slab-based on the existing capital, and you also need to pay a registration fee calculated as the difference between what applies to the new capital and what was already paid. Additional stamp duty on the increased amount is payable as per the state schedule. A board resolution followed by a shareholders special resolution is required. It is generally more cost-effective to start with adequate capital rather than increasing later.

In Maharashtra, a Private Limited Company with Rs 1 lakh authorized capital and 2 directors costs approximately Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 in government fees. This includes SPICe+ fee (Rs 0 for Rs 1 lakh capital), MOA stamp duty (Rs 200), AOA stamp duty (0.15% of capital, minimum Rs 100), e-form stamp duty, DIN (Rs 1,000 for 2 directors), DSC (Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 for 2), and RUN (Rs 1,000). Maharashtra uses percentage-based AOA stamp duty, so costs increase at higher capital levels.

In Delhi, a Pvt Ltd with Rs 1 lakh authorized capital costs approximately Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 in government fees. Delhi uses slab-based AOA stamp duty with Rs 500 for capital up to Rs 1 lakh. MOA stamp duty is Rs 200. DIN, DSC, and RUN fees are standard nationwide. Delhi is popular among startups due to its moderate stamp duty rates and proximity to the central ROC office. As capital increases, the slab-based system in Delhi can be more cost-effective than percentage-based states for certain capital ranges.

Yes. Northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh generally have the lowest stamp duty rates in India. Many charge a flat Rs 100 to Rs 500 for both MOA and AOA regardless of the authorized capital amount. This can save Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 or more compared to states like Maharashtra or Karnataka, especially at higher capital levels. If your business does not require a physical presence in a specific state, registering in a low stamp duty state and using a virtual office is a practical way to reduce costs.

Most states charge the same stamp duty for Private Limited and OPC registrations. Public Limited Companies may face higher AOA stamp duty in some states because they are perceived as larger entities. Section 8 companies (non-profit) often get reduced rates, with some states charging only 50% of the regular AOA stamp duty for charitable entities. Within the same state, the MOA stamp duty is generally uniform across all company types. The main differentiator is the AOA component, and even there, the differences are modest in most states.

Private Limited Company requires a minimum of 2 directors and 2 shareholders (the same persons can be both). One Person Company needs just 1 director and 1 nominee director. Public Limited Company requires a minimum of 3 directors and 7 shareholders. Section 8 Company needs 2 directors if structured as Private Limited or 3 directors if structured as Public Limited. For all entity types, at least one director must be an Indian resident who has stayed in India for 120 or more days in the previous financial year.

After incorporation, several mandatory filings carry their own costs. INC-20A (Commencement of Business Declaration) must be filed within 180 days for a fee of Rs 500. ADT-1 (Auditor Appointment) is due within 30 days at Rs 300. Annual filings include AOC-4 (Financial Statements) at Rs 200 to Rs 600 and MGT-7 (Annual Return) at Rs 200 to Rs 600, both based on capital. DIR-3 KYC costs Rs 500 per director annually. Monthly bookkeeping services run Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per month. The first year of total compliance typically costs Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000.

Beyond the standard government fees, costs that founders sometimes overlook include: post-incorporation compliance filings (INC-20A, ADT-1), GST registration if you need it immediately (zero government fee but requires documentation), mandatory INC-20A filing within 180 days (Rs 500 filing fee), auditor appointment via ADT-1 within 30 days (Rs 300), opening a current bank account (usually free but some banks require a minimum balance), and the cost of a registered office address if you do not have one (virtual office at Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 per year). Always budget 30-40% above the pure government fees for a realistic total.

The SPICe+ filing fee follows these slabs: Rs 0 for authorized capital up to Rs 10 lakh (Rs 15 lakh for Section 8), Rs 2,000 for Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, Rs 4,000 for Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, and the fee continues to increase for higher capital. For Section 8 companies, the thresholds are more generous and the fees are lower. This slab structure means most startups incorporating with Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh capital pay zero SPICe+ filing fee to MCA, making the stamp duty and DIN/DSC costs the primary expenses.

Yes. Foreign nationals can serve as directors in Indian companies. However, at least one director must be an Indian resident (120+ days stay in India in the previous financial year). Foreign directors need a valid passport, a DPIN/DIN (obtainable using passport number), a Class 3 DSC from an Indian Certifying Authority, and their address proof documents must be apostilled or notarized by the Indian Embassy. If the foreign director does not have an Indian PAN, they can use their passport number for the DIN application. There are no additional government fees for foreign directors.

Every OPC must nominate a person who will take over the company in case the sole member becomes incapacitated or dies. The nominee must be an Indian citizen and resident. Their consent is filed through INC-3 at the time of incorporation. The nominee does not hold any shares or have any rights in the company during the sole member lifetime. If the sole member wants to change the nominee, they must file INC-4 with MCA. There is no additional government fee for nominating a person, but the nominee details are part of the SPICe+ application.

Before filing the paid RUN application (Rs 1,000), you can do a free preliminary check on the MCA portal using the "Check Company Name" search feature. Search for similar-sounding names and check the trademark registry at ipindia.gov.in to avoid conflicts. Your name should not be identical or too similar to existing companies, LLPs, or registered trademarks. Avoid generic names, state or government references, and words prohibited under the Emblems and Names Act. A distinctive two-word name with your brand identity has the highest chance of approval.

DPIIT Startup India registration itself is free and done online through the Startup India portal. While it does not directly reduce the MCA incorporation fees, it provides significant benefits including: self-certification for 6 labour and 3 environmental laws, fast-track patent examination at 80% fee rebate, income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC for 3 years out of 10, exemption from angel tax under Section 56, and easier access to government tenders. To qualify, your entity must be less than 10 years old with turnover below Rs 100 crore in any financial year.

Udyam registration (formerly MSME registration) is a free online registration on the udyamregistration.gov.in portal. It classifies your business as Micro, Small, or Medium based on investment and turnover criteria. Benefits include priority sector lending from banks, lower interest rates, protection against delayed payments, preference in government tenders, and access to various government subsidies. You can register for Udyam immediately after getting your PAN and company incorporation certificate. There is no fee for Udyam registration.

PAN (Permanent Account Number) and TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number) for the company are automatically applied for through the SPICe+ form. You do not need to file separate applications. PAN is issued by the Income Tax Department within 2 to 5 working days of incorporation. TAN is also allotted simultaneously. Both numbers are linked to the CIN (Corporate Identity Number) of the company. You will need the PAN to open a bank account, apply for GST registration, and file income tax returns.

CIN stands for Corporate Identity Number. It is a 21-character alphanumeric code assigned by MCA to every registered company. The CIN encodes the listing status, industry code, state code, year of registration, ownership type, and a serial number. The Certificate of Incorporation issued by the ROC contains: the company name, CIN, date of incorporation, PAN, and a statement that the company is incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013. This certificate is your primary proof of legal existence and is required for all subsequent regulatory registrations.

GST registration is mandatory if your company turnover is expected to exceed Rs 40 lakh (Rs 20 lakh for services, Rs 10 lakh for special category states) or if you engage in inter-state supply. The application is filed on the GST portal at gst.gov.in using the company PAN, incorporation certificate, director details, and registered office address proof. There is no government fee for GST registration. Processing takes 3 to 7 working days. There is no government fee for GST registration.

INC-20A is the Declaration for Commencement of Business that every company incorporated after November 2, 2018 must file within 180 days of incorporation. It declares that every subscriber to the MOA has paid the value of shares agreed to be taken by them and that the registered office is verified. The filing fee is Rs 500. If not filed within 180 days, the company cannot commence any business or exercise any borrowing powers. The ROC may also initiate action for removal of the company name from the register.

ADT-1 is the form for intimating the ROC about auditor appointment. The first auditor of a company must be appointed by the Board of Directors within 30 days of incorporation. The appointed auditor holds office until the conclusion of the first Annual General Meeting. The ADT-1 filing fee is Rs 300. Not appointing an auditor within 30 days means the members must appoint one within 90 days at an Extraordinary General Meeting. The auditor must be a practicing Chartered Accountant or a firm of CAs.

The total government cost includes the SPICe+ filing fee (based on authorized capital slab), stamp duty on MOA and AOA (varies by state), DIN allotment fee (Rs 500 per director), RUN name reservation (Rs 1,000), and the e-form stamp fee. Post-incorporation, mandatory filings include INC-20A for commencement of business (Rs 500) and ADT-1 for auditor appointment (Rs 300). DSC procurement (Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per director) is a necessary expense from a licensed Certifying Authority. Use the calculator above for a complete breakdown based on your specific inputs.

If the ROC rejects your SPICe+ application, you typically get a "Resubmission" status with specific reasons. Common rejection reasons include name objections, incomplete documents, address proof issues, or subscriber detail mismatches. For resubmission, you usually do not need to pay the SPICe+ fee again. However, the stamp duty already paid is non-refundable, and if the name is rejected separately, you need a fresh RUN application (Rs 1,000). The resubmission must be done within 15 days of the ROC query, failing which the application lapses and you start over.

Yes, you can use a residential address as the registered office for company registration in India. The Companies Act does not require a commercial address. You need to provide proof of the address (rent agreement or ownership deed), an NOC from the owner, and a recent utility bill showing the address. Many startups begin with a residential address and shift to a commercial office later by filing INC-22 with MCA. Alternatively, you can use a virtual office service that provides a business address in your preferred state.

Voluntarily closing a company through STK-2 (Application for Striking Off) costs Rs 5,000 as the MCA filing fee. However, before filing STK-2, the company must have filed all pending annual returns, financial statements, and income tax returns. If compliance is pending for multiple years, the cost of clearing backlog (including late filing penalties of Rs 100 per day per form) can run into lakhs. The company must also have nil assets and liabilities, settle all creditors, and obtain a special resolution. The entire process takes 3 to 6 months.

Government fees include what you pay to government authorities: SPICe+ filing fee to MCA, stamp duty to the state government, DIN fee, and RUN fee. The total incorporation cost adds other necessary expenses like DSC procurement from a licensed Certifying Authority and optional registrations such as GST, MSME, or trademark. Post-incorporation statutory filings like INC-20A and ADT-1 also carry government fees. For a typical Pvt Ltd with Rs 1 lakh capital, government fees are Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 while total statutory charges typically range from Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000.

The most commonly used Certifying Authorities for MCA-compatible Class 3 DSCs are eMudhra, Capricorn (now eMudhra Group), Sify, NSDL, and IDRBT. Prices range from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,500 for a 2-year validity DSC. Key factors to consider include turnaround time (some offer same-day issuance), compatibility with the MCA portal, renewal reminders, and customer support. USB token-based DSCs are standard, but some providers now offer cloud-based DSCs that work through a mobile OTP instead of a physical token.

There is no legal minimum, but your authorized capital should be at least equal to the amount of funding you plan to raise or invest in the first 1 to 2 years. Starting with Rs 1 lakh is ideal for bootstrapped startups as it minimizes incorporation costs. If you plan to raise Rs 50 lakh in angel investment, having at least Rs 50 lakh authorized capital avoids the need for a capital increase later. Remember that increasing capital via SH-7 involves additional filing fees, registration fees, and stamp duty, so planning ahead saves money.

Yes. Two spouses can serve as the two required directors and shareholders of a Private Limited Company. There are no restrictions on family members being directors or shareholders. Both will need individual DINs, DSCs, and valid KYC documents. This is a common structure for family businesses. The only requirement to keep in mind is that at least one director must be an Indian resident. If one spouse is a foreign citizen, the other must meet the residency requirement.

The SPICe+ form includes AGILE-PRO-S (Part of SPICe+) which generates a request for opening a bank account with the bank selected during filing. After receiving the incorporation certificate, CIN, PAN, and TAN, you approach the selected bank with: Certificate of Incorporation, MOA and AOA, PAN card of the company, Board Resolution authorizing account opening, KYC documents of all directors, and the registered office address proof. Most banks open the account within 3 to 7 working days. There is no government fee for this step.

Partnership firms are governed by the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, not the Companies Act. Registration is optional but recommended and is done with the Registrar of Firms in the respective state. The process involves drafting a partnership deed, paying stamp duty on the deed (varies by state), and filing Form 1 with the Registrar. Partnership firms do not have a separate legal entity status, so partners have unlimited liability. Registration costs are generally lower (Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000) but the structure lacks limited liability protection that companies and LLPs offer.