How to Register a Private Limited Company in India (2026) | Legal24by7

Registering a Private Limited Company in India is the most popular way to formalise a business. It gives you limited liability protection, makes it easier to raise funding, and lends credibility with clients and vendors. The process is fully online through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal and typically takes 10–15 working days. In this guide, we break down every step — from name approval to getting your Certificate of Incorporation — along with the documents you need and the costs involved.

Company Registration Private Limited Company

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Check name availability and get DSC + DIN

Before filing anything, you need to check whether your proposed company name is available on the MCA portal. Run a search on the MCA V3 portal under Company/LLP Name Search. Once the name is confirmed, each director needs a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) from a certified authority and a Director Identification Number (DIN), which is obtained through the SPICe+ form. DSC costs 1,000–2,000 per director; DIN is free when applied through SPICe+.

Step 2 — File SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically)

SPICe+ is an integrated web form that combines company name reservation, incorporation, DIN allotment, PAN, TAN, EPFO/ESIC registration, bank account opening, and GST registration in one submission. Part A is for name reservation (takes 1–2 days). Part B is for the full incorporation. Once approved, the Registrar of Companies issues a Certificate of Incorporation with a Corporate Identity Number (CIN). The government fee ranges from 0 to 2,000 for companies with capital up to 15 lakh.

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions answered by our legal experts

1What is the minimum number of directors for a Pvt Ltd company?

A Private Limited Company requires a minimum of 2 directors and can have up to 15. At least one director must be an Indian resident (stayed in India for 182+ days in the previous calendar year).

2What is the minimum share capital required?

There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement since the Companies Act amendment in 2015. You can start with as little as 1 rupee as authorised capital, though 1 lakh is the most common starting point.

3How long does company registration take?

Typically 10–15 working days from the date of DSC/DIN application, assuming all documents are correct. Name reservation takes 1–2 days, and incorporation approval takes 5–7 days after that.

4Can a foreign national be a director?

Yes. A foreign national can be a director in an Indian Private Limited Company. They need a valid passport, address proof, and must obtain a DIN. However, at least one director must be a resident of India.

5What documents do I need to register a Pvt Ltd company?

PAN card and Aadhaar of all directors, passport-size photographs, address proof (bank statement or utility bill not older than 2 months), proof of registered office address (rent agreement + NOC from owner or own property documents), and electricity bill of the registered office.

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