Company Registration in India: Process, Cost & Documents (2026)

Thinking about registering a company in India? Good news: the whole thing is online now, and it is far simpler than most people expect!

Company registration in India is a fully digital process run by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs through a single form called SPICe+. For a resident-led private limited company, it usually takes 7 to 15 business days. For a foreign-owned company, plan for 2 to 4 weeks because of document apostille.

We help global companies build teams in India every single day, so we will walk you through both paths like a friend who has done this a hundred times. Whether you want your own entity or just want to start hiring fast, this guide has you covered. And if you are still deciding whether India is right for you, our guide on why global companies are expanding to India is a great place to start.

In a hurry? Talk to our India experts and we will map your setup in one call.

What are the four steps to register a company in India?

Here is the short version, because the registration process really is just four main steps.

• Step 1: Get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Every one of the proposed directors needs a Class 3 DSC to sign documents online. It takes 1 to 2 working days for residents.
• Step 2: Reserve your company name. File SPICe+ Part A on the MCA portal. Your proposed name must be unique and approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs before you go further.
• Step 3: File SPICe+ Part B. This is the main incorporation form. It also applies for your Director Identification Number (DIN), PAN, TAN, EPFO, and ESIC in one shot, along with your MoA and AoA.
• Step 4: Receive your Certificate of Incorporation. Once the Registrar verifies your documents, you get your Certificate of Incorporation with your Corporate Identification Number, PAN, and TAN.

That is the core flow! Foreign companies follow the same four steps with a few extra moves, which we cover further down. First, let's pick the right business structure.

What business structure is right for your company?

Picking the right business structure is your very first decision, and it shapes your liability, taxes, and how you raise funds. India has seven main types of business structures, but most founders only need to think about a few.

Private Limited Company

A private limited company is the most popular choice in India, and it is the one investors love. It is a separate legal entity, so your personal assets stay protected from business debts through limited liability protection.

• You need a minimum of two directors and two shareholders.
• There is no minimum paid up capital requirement.
• Venture capitalists almost exclusively invest in private limited companies, so this is the structure to pick if you want to raise funds.

One Person Company (OPC)

A One Person Company lets a single founder enjoy limited liability while keeping full control. One Person Company registration was introduced in India in 2013 to support solo entrepreneurs. One thing to note: OPC is only available to Indian citizens, so foreign nationals cannot register one.

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

A limited liability partnership combines the flexibility of a partnership firm with the limited liability of a company. LLPs were established under the LLP Act, 2008, and they offer operational flexibility with simpler tax structures. They work well for professional services firms that do not plan to raise venture capital.

Other structures

• Public Limited Company: Requires at least seven members to register and is built for large businesses that want public limited company registration to raise capital widely.
• Section 8 Company: Designated for non-profit organizations in India.
• Sole proprietorship: The simplest business entity with minimal compliance, but the owner carries unlimited personal liability for business debts.
• Partnership firm: A general partnership means unlimited joint liability among partners.

Here is a quick way to compare the main options at a glance.

So which one should you choose?

• Pick a Private Limited Company if you want to raise funds, attract investors, or scale in the Indian market. It is preferred by startups in India for a reason!
• Pick an LLP if you run a consulting or professional services firm with no fundraising plans.
• Pick a sole proprietorship or partnership only if you are a small or bootstrapped business.

Comparing your own entity against an EOR? Our free EOR vs. Entity Calculator shows the real cost of both in minutes.

Now that you know your structure, let's see how a foreign company handles the process.

How can a foreign company register in India?

Foreign businesses follow the same SPICe+ flow, with a few important additions. From our experience helping 300+ global companies set up in India, here is the realistic step-by-step.

• Step 1: Get a DSC and apostille your documents. Foreign directors get a DSC from agencies like eMudhra or nCode in 3 to 5 days. Every foreign document must be notarized and apostilled first. This is the most common reason applications get rejected, so do it early!
• Step 2: Reserve your company name. File SPICe+ Part A. The name must be unique, not clash with any existing company or trademark, and end with "Private Limited."
• Step 3: File SPICe+ Part B. Provide your registered office address, share capital, and director details. You can apply for a DIN for up to three directors here. At least one director must be an Indian resident.
• Step 4: Submit MoA, AoA, and linked forms. The e-MoA (INC-33) sets your objectives, the e-AoA (INC-34) sets your internal rules, and AGILE-PRO-S registers PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, and GST together.
• Step 5: Receive your Certificate of Incorporation. The Registrar issues it within 2 to 5 working days, with your CIN, PAN, and TAN.
• Step 6: Finish post-registration steps. Open a company bank account, file FC-GPR with the RBI within 30 days of share allotment, appoint an auditor within 30 days, and file INC-20A within 180 days.

Most delays come from apostille, bank account opening, and missed FC-GPR deadlines, not the filing itself. For the full picture, see our guide on business setup in India.

Want to skip all of this and start hiring in days? An Employer of Record handles compliance with no entity needed.

What documents are required for company registration in India?

The required documents depend on whether your proposed directors are Indian residents or foreign nationals. Here is the checklist.

For Indian resident directors

• PAN card as primary identity proof.
• Aadhaar card or voter ID.
• Address proof not older than 2 months, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement.
• Passport-size photograph, DSC, and DIN.

For foreign directors

• Valid passport, notarized and apostilled.
• Address proof from the home country, notarized and apostilled.
• Documents in another language need an apostilled English translation.

For the registered office

• A recent utility bill not older than 2 months as registered office proof.
• Rental agreement or ownership proof.
• A No Objection Certificate from the property owner.

One detail most guides miss: under Rule 13(5) of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, foreign nationals must physically sign and apostille the MoA and AoA. Start your apostille process 2 to 3 weeks early!

How much does it cost to register a company in India?

Costs depend on your structure, authorized capital, and state. Here is what to budget.

For a resident-led private limited company:

• Name approval costs around INR 1,000 per application.
• Digital Signature Certificate fees range from INR 1,000 to 2,000.
• Registration fees vary based on authorized capital and state.
• Companies with authorized capital up to INR 15,00,000 are incorporated at zero government fees!

For a foreign-owned private limited company, the total typically runs from $750 to $1,500 (~INR 60,000 to 1,25,000):

By comparison, an Employer of Record like Wisemonk EOR starts at $99/employee/month with zero setup cost. Run the numbers yourself with our EOR vs. Entity Calculator!

Why should you register a company in India?

A registered company in India is a separate legal entity under the Companies Act, 2013. Here is what that gives you.

• Separate legal identity. Your company can own assets and act in its own name.
• Limited liability protection. Your personal assets stay protected from business debts.
• Credibility and trust. Company registration enhances your business credibility with banks, partners, and customers.
• Ability to enter contracts independently. A registered company can sign contracts in its own name.
• Ability to raise funds. Only a private limited company can issue equity shares and ESOPs, which is why investors require it.
• Tax benefits under the Income Tax Act, including 15% corporate tax for new manufacturing companies.

And the timing is excellent! India received $81.04 billion in FDI during FY2024-25, a 14% increase year over year, with cumulative FDI crossing $1.14 trillion since 2000 (source: Wisemonk India Investment Intelligence 2026). The number of FDI source countries has grown from 89 in FY2014 to 112 in FY2025.

India's economy has crossed $4 trillion in nominal GDP and is growing at 7.3% in FY2025-26, more than double the global average (source: Wisemonk India Investment Intelligence 2026). For the bigger picture, read our guide on doing business in India.

What challenges might you face as a foreign business?

These are the hurdles that cause real delays for foreign companies. None are dealbreakers with a little preparation!

• Document apostille takes 2 to 3 weeks, so start it first.
• Company name rejections are common, so keep backup names ready.
• You need an Indian resident director who lived in India 182+ days in the preceding year.
• A company bank account takes 3 to 4 weeks due to enhanced KYC.
• Ongoing legal compliance is mandatory: annual returns, statutory registers, financial statements, and income tax return filings every year.

Many companies that are outsourcing to India for the first time start with an EOR to skip all of this.

Do you need an entity, or can you use an EOR instead?

This is the question to answer before you file anything! Not every company hiring in India needs its own legal entity.

An Employer of Record legally employs your team in India on your behalf. You manage the work. They handle payroll, taxes, contracts, and compliance. No registration, no bank account, no MCA filings.

• Choose an entity when you are hiring 20+ people, staying long term, or raising capital locally.
• Choose an EOR when you are hiring your first few people, need to start fast, or want to test the market first.

Many companies start with an EOR and switch to their own entity once the team grows past 15 to 20 people. Some scale further by establishing a captive center in India.

Start your India expansion with Wisemonk EOR

Wisemonk is a trusted Employer of Record in India, helping global companies hire, pay, and manage employees without setting up a legal entity. With 300+ companies served, 2,000+ employees managed, and $20M+ in payroll processed, we support every path to India expansion, whether you choose EOR, entity setup, or a combination of both.

Here is what we offer:

• Employer of Record: Hire and onboard employees in India in 2-3 days with full compliance. We handle payroll, PF, ESI, gratuity, TDS, professional tax, employment contracts, and onboarding. Starting at $99/employee/month.
• Contractor of Record: Compliant contractor management with proper classification, invoicing, and tax compliance so you avoid misclassification risk.
• Contractor Payments: Pay Indian contractors on one platform at $19/month + 1% over settlement rate.
• Managed Payroll: If you already have an entity in India, we handle end-to-end payroll processing, statutory filings, and compliance at $49/employee/month.
• GCC Setup: End-to-end support for setting up and scaling your Global Capability Center in India, from legal setup to talent acquisition. Read our India GCC Landscape Report for the latest market data.
• Recruitment: Find top Indian talent across engineering, finance, operations, and GTM roles through our in-house recruiting team and verified talent network.
• Entity Setup Assistance: If you decide to register your own company, we guide you through the entire process, from structure selection to post-incorporation compliance.

We also handle background verification, equipment procurement for remote teams, and visa and work permit support for foreign nationals.

Every client gets a dedicated HR manager. No chatbots, no ticket queues. Our tax optimization structure increases employee take-home pay and improves retention, a benefit no global EOR provides at this depth.

Wisemonk EOR is rated 4.8/5 on G2, recognized for Fastest Implementation, Best Relationship, and Easiest To Do Business With.

Talk to our India expansion experts today.