Pillar Guide
Company Formation in India
Everything you need to register a Private Limited company, LLP, OPC or foreign subsidiary in India — SPICe+ filings, timelines, documents and post-incorporation compliance, coordinated end-to-end.
Which structure suits you?
Choosing the right vehicle up-front avoids costly restructuring later. The most common structures are:
Private Limited Company
Best for startups and businesses raising equity — ESOP-friendly, FDI-ready, standard investor structure.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Limited liability with lighter annual compliance — a fit for services, consulting and professional firms.
One Person Company (OPC)
Solo founders who want limited liability protection with a corporate wrapper.
Foreign Subsidiary (WOS)
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of a foreign parent, incorporated under the automatic FDI route.
The SPICe+ process, step-by-step
- 1
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Class 3 DSCs for every proposed director and subscriber — 1-2 working days.
- 2
Name reservation via SPICe+ Part A
Two proposed names checked against MCA and trademark databases before filing.
- 3
DIN allotment + MOA & AOA drafting
DINs are issued through SPICe+ itself; MOA/AOA drafted to reflect your business objects.
- 4
SPICe+ Part B + AGILE-PRO + INC-9
Integrated filing for incorporation, PAN, TAN, GSTIN, EPFO, ESIC and bank account.
- 5
Certificate of Incorporation
CoI with CIN, PAN and TAN issued electronically by MCA.
- 6
Post-incorporation compliance
INC-20A (commencement), first board meeting, statutory registers, GST registration and books setup.
Documents required
- PAN & Aadhaar of Indian directors / shareholders
- Passport (mandatory) for NRIs and foreign nationals — apostilled where applicable
- Recent address proof (bank statement / utility bill) — not older than 2 months
- Passport-size photograph and email / mobile of each director
- Registered office proof — rent agreement, NOC and latest utility bill
Pvt Ltd vs LLP vs OPC
| Feature | Pvt Ltd | LLP | OPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum members | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Minimum directors / partners | 2 directors | 2 designated partners | 1 director + 1 nominee |
| Liability | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Equity funding | Yes — VC / PE friendly | No (partner capital only) | Restricted |
| Annual compliance | Higher | Lower | Moderate |
| Best for | Startups & growth businesses | Services & professional firms | Solo founders |
Working with us on incorporation
Incorporation is only step one — the team builds your compliance calendar, wires up books and reporting, and stays on for GST, TDS, ROC and audit engagements through our audit partner Regi Tom Antony & Associates, Chartered Accountants.
Related guides
Deep-dives that pair with this pillar:
- India market entry strategy — choose the right vehicle before you incorporate.
- Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) in India — the default structure for foreign parents.
- Liaison, Branch & Project Office — RBI-approved alternatives to a subsidiary.
- FDI entry routes (Automatic vs Government).
- NRI business setup in India — repatriable vs non-repatriable structuring.
- Company formation for foreign individuals.
- Best locations in India for foreign companies.
- India post-entry support — FEMA, tax and ROC after go-live.
Founders often pair incorporation with Startup India (DPIIT) registration and Udyam / MSME registration via our sister firm SME Advisory. Once the company is live, SME Advisory also runs annual ROC compliance for a Pvt Ltd, while our audit partner Regi Tom Antony & Associates handles ROC & secretarial compliance and the statutory audit.
Company formation across India's key investment states
We cover these eight priority states in depth for foreign and NRI investors, and serve every other state via the same national MCA SPICe+ process.
Serving founders and investors in every Indian state — talk to us about any location.
Frequently asked questions
How long does company formation take in India?
What is the minimum requirement for a Private Limited company?
Should I choose Pvt Ltd, LLP or OPC?
Do you register companies in all Indian states?
Can NRIs or foreign nationals form a company in India?
Reviewed by CA Regi Tom Antony, Regi Tom Antony & Associates. Last updated: August 2026.
Ready to incorporate?
We can coordinate SPICe+, ROC and post-incorporation compliance so you can focus on the business.