Business Registration in India: Complete Guide for 2024
Step-by-step guide to registering your business in India
- Sole Proprietorship: Easiest to start (Rs.2-5K), but unlimited personal liability
- Partnership/LLP: Rs.15-20K cost, limited liability, good for 2+ partners
- Private Limited: Rs.20-30K cost, 10-15 days, best for fundraising and investor confidence
- Post-registration: GST registration mandatory if turnover exceeds Rs.20 lakh
Types of Business Structures
Choose the right business structure based on your needs, scale, and liability considerations
- Easiest to start - minimal paperwork
- No separate legal registration required
- Unlimited personal liability
- Complete control over business
- Requires 2 or more partners
- Partnership deed required
- Shared liability among partners
- Easy formation process
- Limited liability for all partners
- Separate legal entity
- Minimum 2 partners required
- Lower compliance than Pvt Ltd
- Best for fundraising & investor confidence
- Limited liability protection
- Minimum 2 directors required
- Higher compliance requirements
Private Limited Company Registration Process
Step-by-step process to register your Private Limited Company with MCA
Obtain DSC (Digital Signature Certificate)
Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory for all directors to sign documents electronically
DIN Application (Director Identification Number)
Unique identification number for all company directors - required before incorporation
Name Approval via RUN (Reserve Unique Name)
Check availability and reserve your company name. Provide 2-3 name options
File SPICe+ Form (Incorporation Application)
Submit incorporation documents including MOA, AOA, director details, and registered office address
Get Certificate of Incorporation
MCA issues Certificate of Incorporation along with PAN, TAN, and company registration number (CIN)
LLP is the sweet spot for most small businesses: It offers limited liability protection (your personal assets are safe), lower compliance than Pvt Ltd, and tax treatment similar to partnership. Choose LLP if you have 2+ partners and want protection without the overhead of a company. Use our Business Structure Comparison Calculator to find the best fit.
Documents Required
Essential documents needed for company registration
PAN Card
Of all directors/partners
Aadhaar Card
For identity verification
Address Proof
Registered office premises
Property NOC
No Objection Certificate from owner
Photographs
Passport size of directors
MOA & AOA Drafts
Company constitution documents
Cost & Time Comparison
Compare registration costs and timelines for different business structures
| Business Structure | Registration Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
Sole Proprietorship | ₹2,000-5,000 | 1-2 days |
Partnership | ₹5,000-10,000 | 3-5 days |
LLP | ₹15,000-20,000 | 7-10 days |
Private Limited | ₹20,000-30,000 | 10-15 days |
Note
Post-Registration Compliances
Important compliance requirements after company registration
GST Registration
Mandatory if annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10L for services)
Open Current Bank Account
In company's name for all business transactions
Business PAN
Issued automatically during incorporation for Pvt Ltd/LLP
Annual ROC Filings
File annual returns (AOC-4, MGT-7) and financial statements
Maintain Statutory Registers
Directors register, members register, share certificate book, etc.
Related Calculators
GST Calculator
Calculate GST amount for goods and services with reverse calculation
Section 44ADA Presumptive Taxation
Calculate presumptive income for professionals with 50% deemed profit and single advance tax payment benefit
Business vs Professional (44AD vs 44ADA)
Compare presumptive taxation vs regular method (44AD: 8%, 44ADA: 50%)
Section 44AB Tax Audit Threshold
Check if tax audit is required based on turnover with Section 44AD/44ADA presumptive scheme thresholds