A Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) is the most popular business structure for startups and growing businesses in India — it offers limited liability, a separate legal identity, easy access to funding, and strong credibility with banks and investors. This guide walks you through the entire registration process as it works in 2026.

Who can register a Private Limited Company?

To incorporate a Pvt Ltd company you need:

• Minimum 2 directors (at least one must be a resident of India)
• Minimum 2 shareholders (they can be the same people as the directors)
• A registered office address in India (residential or commercial)
• No minimum paid-up capital — you can start with any amount

Documents required

For each director and shareholder:

• PAN card (mandatory for Indian nationals)
• Aadhaar card / passport / voter ID / driving licence
• A recent passport-size photograph
• Bank statement or utility bill (not older than 2 months)

For the registered office:

• Latest electricity/utility bill of the premises
• Rent agreement (if rented) and a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner

The registration process, step by step

Step 1 — Get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Every director and subscriber needs a DSC to sign the forms electronically. This is issued by a licensed Certifying Authority and usually takes a day.

Step 2 — Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN). The DIN is applied for within the SPICe+ form itself for new companies, so you no longer file it separately.

Step 3 — Reserve your company name. Use SPICe+ Part A to propose up to two names. Pick a unique name that isn't identical to an existing company or a registered trademark, and add a business-activity word (e.g. "Technologies", "Solutions").

Step 4 — File SPICe+ Part B. This single integrated form covers incorporation, PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, professional tax (in applicable states) and a bank account. You'll attach the MOA (Memorandum of Association) and AOA (Articles of Association), which define your company's objects and internal rules.

Step 5 — Pay government fees and stamp duty. Stamp duty varies by state and authorised capital.

Step 6 — Receive your Certificate of Incorporation (COI). Once the Registrar of Companies (ROC) approves, you receive the COI with your Corporate Identity Number (CIN), along with PAN and TAN.

How long does it take?

For a clean application with documents in order, incorporation typically takes 7–10 working days. Name-approval delays or document mismatches are the most common reasons for slippage.

What does it cost?

Total cost = government fees + stamp duty + professional fees. Government charges depend on your state and authorised capital. At FilingLab, Private Limited registration starts at an all-inclusive professional fee with government fees shown separately — never bundled into vague "processing charges".

After incorporation: don't forget compliance

A Pvt Ltd company has ongoing obligations — opening a current account, issuing share certificates, filing the commencement-of-business declaration (Form INC-20A), GST registration (if applicable), annual ROC filings (AOC-4, MGT-7), director KYC, and income-tax returns. Missing these attracts penalties, so most founders put compliance on auto-pilot with a CA from day one.

Frequently asked questions

Can a single person register a Pvt Ltd company? No — a Pvt Ltd needs at least two people. A solo founder should consider a One Person Company (OPC) instead.

Do I need a commercial office? No. You can register at a residential address with the right utility bill and NOC.

Is there a minimum capital requirement? No. The minimum paid-up capital requirement was removed; you can start with as little as you like.

Ready to register? FilingLab assigns you a dedicated CA who handles DSC, name approval, SPICe+ filing and your COI end to end — 100% online. [Talk to a CA for a free consultation](/contact).