BI-PUBLICLICompany Types

Public Limited Company Registration

By G R Hari3 min read

Quick Answer

Public Limited Company Registration India is the process of incorporating a company whose shares can be offered to the public and are listed on a stock exchange. Governed by the Companies Act, 2013, this form of business incorporation allows a company to raise capital from the public and provides limited liability to its shareholders.

Public Limited Company Registration — detailed explanation below

Governing Act — Public Limited Company Registration India

The registration of a public limited company in India is governed by the Companies Act, 2013. Key provisions include Section 3 (definition of public company), Section 7 (incorporation), and Section 23 (public offer). The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) administers the Act and oversees the registration process.


Government Department & Website for Public Limited Company Registration India

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is the government department responsible for company registration. The online portal for business incorporation is the MCA21 portal (www.mca.gov.in). All filings, including the SPICe+ form, are submitted through this portal.


Public Limited Company Registration India Application Process

The process for Public Limited Company Registration India involves the following steps:

  1. Obtain Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for proposed directors.
  2. Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN) for directors.
  3. Reserve the company name through the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service.
  4. File SPICe+ form (INC-32) along with e-MoA (INC-33) and e-AoA (INC-34).
  5. Pay the prescribed fee and stamp duty.
  6. Certificate of Incorporation is issued by the Registrar of Companies (ROC).
  7. Apply for PAN and TAN as part of the SPICe+ process.

Key Forms Required for Public Limited Company Registration India

The key forms for Public Limited Company Registration India are:

  • SPICe+ (INC-32): Integrated incorporation form.
  • e-MoA (INC-33): Electronic Memorandum of Association.
  • e-AoA (INC-34): Electronic Articles of Association.
  • RUN (Reserve Unique Name): For name reservation.
  • DIR-3: For DIN application (if not already obtained).
  • INC-22: Notice of registered address (filed within 30 days of incorporation).

Eligibility Criteria for Public Limited Company Registration India

To register a public limited company in India, the following criteria must be met:

  • Minimum 7 members (shareholders).
  • Minimum 3 directors (at least one must be a resident of India).
  • Minimum paid-up capital of ₹5,00,000 (as per Companies Act, 2013).
  • Name must end with 'Limited'.
  • Directors must have DIN and DSC.
  • Registered office address in India.

Timeline for Public Limited Company Registration India

The timeline for Public Limited Company Registration India depends on the completeness of documents and ROC processing. The process typically involves name reservation (1-2 days), document preparation (2-3 days), and ROC approval (5-7 days). However, no specific timeline can be guaranteed as it varies by jurisdiction and workload.


Fees for Public Limited Company Registration India

The government fees for Public Limited Company Registration India are prescribed under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014. The fees depend on the authorized capital of the company. Below is the fee structure:

Authorized CapitalFee (INR)
Up to ₹5,00,000₹5,000
₹5,00,001 to ₹50,00,000₹5,000 + ₹500 per ₹1,00,000 or part thereof
Above ₹50,00,000₹27,500 + ₹1,000 per ₹10,00,000 or part thereof

Additional stamp duty varies by state. Professional fees for legal and compliance services are separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Public Limited Company Registration India?

Public Limited Company Registration India is the legal process of incorporating a company whose shares can be offered to the public and are listed on a stock exchange. It is governed by the Companies Act, 2013 and requires a minimum of 7 members and 3 directors.

What are the eligibility criteria for Public Limited Company Registration India?

To register a public limited company, you need at least 7 members, 3 directors (one resident), a minimum paid-up capital of ₹5,00,000, and a registered office in India. The company name must end with 'Limited'.

What is the process for Public Limited Company Registration India?

The process includes obtaining DSC and DIN, reserving the company name via RUN, filing the SPICe+ form with e-MoA and e-AoA, paying the fee, and receiving the Certificate of Incorporation from the ROC.

What forms are required for Public Limited Company Registration India?

Key forms include SPICe+ (INC-32), e-MoA (INC-33), e-AoA (INC-34), RUN for name reservation, and DIR-3 for DIN. INC-22 is filed later for registered office address.

What is the government fee for Public Limited Company Registration India?

The fee depends on authorized capital: up to ₹5,00,000 is ₹5,000; up to ₹50,00,000 is ₹5,000 plus ₹500 per ₹1,00,000; above ₹50,00,000 is ₹27,500 plus ₹1,000 per ₹10,00,000. Stamp duty extra.

Can a foreign national be a director in a Public Limited Company Registration India?

Yes, a foreign national can be a director, but at least one director must be a resident of India (stayed in India for at least 182 days in the previous calendar year).