SPICe+ Company Registration Process in India

SPICe+ Company Registration Process in India

The SPICe+ Company Registration Process in India provides an integrated online mechanism for incorporating a company through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

SPICe+ stands for Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus. It is a web-based incorporation form that integrates company registration with several related registrations and approvals.

Through the SPICe+ process, promoters can undertake name reservation, company incorporation, Director Identification Number (DIN) applications for eligible proposed directors, PAN and TAN applications and various linked registrations.

Businesses looking for professional assistance with incorporation can visit our main Company Registration in India service page.

The incorporation process is administered through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the Companies Act, 2013 and applicable rules.

What Is SPICe+?

SPICe+ is an integrated web-based application used for incorporating companies in India.

It was introduced by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as part of the Government’s initiatives to simplify business incorporation and integrate multiple registrations into a common process.

The SPICe+ system replaced the earlier SPICe incorporation mechanism and is presently used for incorporation of new companies through the MCA portal.

The form is divided primarily into:

• SPICe+ Part A – Name reservation
• SPICe+ Part B – Company incorporation and related information

Several linked forms are also filed depending upon the proposed company and applicable registrations.

Promoters should therefore understand SPICe+ not merely as one incorporation form but as an integrated company-registration process.

SPICe+ Part A – Reservation of Company Name

SPICe+ Part A primarily deals with reservation of the proposed company’s name.

The applicant provides information such as:

• Type of proposed company
• Class of company
• Category and sub-category
• Proposed business activities
• Applicable NIC codes
• Proposed company name
• Supporting documents, where required

The proposed name should be selected carefully.

A company name should generally:

• Be distinguishable from existing company and LLP names
• Be consistent with the proposed business activity
• Avoid prohibited or restricted expressions
• Not infringe an existing registered trademark
• Use the appropriate legal suffix
• Comply with applicable naming requirements

Promoters should therefore evaluate the proposed name before submitting the application.

SPICe+ Part A can be filed separately for name reservation or together with Part B as part of the complete incorporation application.

For professional assistance covering name selection through incorporation, see our main Company Registration in India page.

SPICe+ Part B – Company Incorporation

SPICe+ Part B contains the principal information required for incorporating the company.

Depending upon the type of company and proposed structure, information may include:

• Registered office
• Capital structure
• Subscribers
• Proposed directors
• Shareholding pattern
• Business activities
• Director Identification Number
• PAN and TAN
• Contact information
• Declaration and professional certification
• Other statutory particulars

Once Part A has been approved separately, Part B and applicable linked forms can be completed using the approved name.

Where Part A and Part B are being submitted together, the incorporation details can be prepared as part of the integrated application.

Services Integrated Through SPICe+

The SPICe+ incorporation mechanism integrates several services that earlier required separate applications.

Depending upon applicability, the process may cover:

• Company incorporation
• Corporate Identity Number
• Director Identification Number
• PAN of the company
• TAN of the company
• EPFO registration
• ESIC registration
• Professional Tax registration where applicable
• Opening of the company’s bank account
• Shops and Establishment registration where applicable
• GST registration, if opted for and applicable

The exact registrations available or mandatory through the integrated system depend upon the applicable MCA process, state and nature of the proposed company.

GST registration itself is not automatically required merely because a company has been incorporated. Its applicability depends upon the GST law and business circumstances.

Businesses requiring GST assistance can explore our GST and Indirect Tax Services.

The official GST portal is available through GST Portal – Government of India.

Digital Signature Certificate for Company Registration

Since company incorporation takes place electronically, Digital Signature Certificates are required for persons who need to digitally sign the incorporation documents.

Depending upon the proposed structure, DSCs may be required for:

• Subscribers
• Proposed directors
• Authorised representatives of corporate subscribers
• Professionals certifying incorporation forms

The identity and address documents required for obtaining a DSC depend upon whether the applicant is an Indian resident, foreign national or authorised representative of a body corporate.

The DSC should normally be obtained before the relevant incorporation documents are digitally signed and uploaded.

Director Identification Number

Every individual appointed as a director must have a valid Director Identification Number.

Where proposed first directors do not already possess DINs, an application for DIN can be integrated into SPICe+ subject to applicable limits and conditions.

Under the MCA’s SPICe+ framework, DIN can presently be applied for through the integrated incorporation process for up to the permitted number of proposed directors.

Where the number of directors requiring DIN exceeds the limit available through SPICe+, additional DIN-related procedures may need to be followed after incorporation.

Registered Office for Company Incorporation

Every company must have a registered office for receiving statutory communications and maintaining its official corporate address.

The incorporation application normally requires documentation supporting the proposed registered office.

Depending upon the circumstances, these may include:

• Recent utility bill
• Rent or lease agreement, where applicable
• No-objection certificate from the owner
• Ownership document, where applicable
• Other supporting address documents

The documentation should clearly establish the company’s right to use the premises as its registered office.

The exact documentation should be reviewed before filing to minimise the possibility of a resubmission.

Memorandum of Association

The Memorandum of Association, or MOA, is one of the principal constitutional documents of a company.

It contains important particulars such as:

• Name of the company
• State of registered office
• Main business objects
• Liability of members
• Capital structure
• Subscription details

Particular care should be taken while drafting the object clause because it describes the principal activities proposed to be undertaken by the company.

Objects that are inconsistent, incomplete or connected with regulated activities may create incorporation or future operational difficulties.

Articles of Association

The Articles of Association, or AOA, contain the internal governance rules of the company.

They may address matters such as:

• Share capital
• Transfer of shares
• Board proceedings
• Shareholder meetings
• Voting rights
• Directors’ powers
• Dividends
• Corporate administration

For many incorporations, electronic MOA and AOA forms are linked with the SPICe+ application, subject to applicable requirements and exceptions.

Linked Forms with SPICe+

The company incorporation application may involve several linked forms depending upon the structure and circumstances.

Important linked documents/forms can include:

• Electronic Memorandum of Association
• Electronic Articles of Association
• AGILE-PRO-S
• INC-9 declaration
• URC-1 where applicable
• Other forms required for particular types of companies

Not every form is applicable in every incorporation.

The forms should therefore be prepared according to the exact legal structure and circumstances of the proposed company.

Need Help With Company Registration in India?

EzyBiz India assists entrepreneurs, businesses and foreign investors with company incorporation, documentation, name reservation and post-registration requirements.

What Is AGILE-PRO-S?

AGILE-PRO-S is a linked incorporation form used for certain registrations associated with a newly incorporated company.

Depending upon current applicability, it may cover areas such as:

• GST registration
• EPFO registration
• ESIC registration
• Professional Tax registration
• Bank account opening
• Shops and Establishment registration

Certain registrations are integrated or mandatory through the incorporation process, while GST registration can be opted for where appropriate.

Businesses should evaluate whether GST registration is immediately required based on the nature and expected turnover of the business rather than obtaining it without considering the commercial circumstances.

PAN and TAN Through Company Incorporation

PAN and TAN are integrated into the company incorporation mechanism.

PAN is the company’s Permanent Account Number and is required for income-tax and various financial purposes.

TAN is required where the company is responsible for deducting or collecting tax at source under the applicable provisions.

Accordingly, separate conventional applications for PAN and TAN are generally not required where these are processed through the integrated incorporation mechanism.

Step-by-Step SPICe+ Company Registration Process

The SPICe+ company registration process in India can broadly be understood through the following stages.

Decide the Appropriate Company Structure

Before starting the MCA filing, promoters should decide whether the appropriate structure is:

• Private Limited Company
• Public Limited Company
• One Person Company
• Section 8 Company
• Another permitted corporate structure

The choice should take into account:

• Number of promoters
• Ownership structure
• Business activities
• Fundraising plans
• Management arrangements
• Regulatory requirements
• Future expansion plans

Our main Company Registration Services in India page explains the principal company structures in greater detail.

Finalise Directors and Shareholders

The promoters should determine:

• Proposed shareholders
• Proposed directors
• Shareholding percentages
• Number of shares
• Capital contribution
• Resident-director requirements
• Roles of the proposed directors

Directors and shareholders may be the same persons, subject to the applicable requirements of the chosen company structure.

Obtain Digital Signatures

DSCs are arranged for the subscribers, directors and other persons who need to digitally sign incorporation documents.

Select the Proposed Company Name

Suitable names should be shortlisted after considering:

• Existing MCA names
• Trademarks
• Business objects
• Restricted words
• Appropriate suffix
• Brand requirements

The name application is then prepared through SPICe+ Part A.

Prepare the Main Business Objects

The principal activities of the company should be clearly identified before preparing the Memorandum of Association.

Where the proposed business is regulated, additional approvals or regulatory considerations may arise.

Prepare SPICe+ Part B

Once the required information is available, the incorporation details are completed in SPICe+ Part B.

These include the company, directors, shareholders, capital, registered office and other required particulars.

Prepare MOA and AOA

The company’s constitutional documents are prepared in accordance with:

• Proposed business activities
• Share capital
• Ownership structure
• Governance requirements

Complete Applicable Linked Forms

The applicable linked forms, including AGILE-PRO-S and other incorporation documents, are prepared.

Affix Digital Signatures and File

The relevant forms and documents are digitally signed and filed through the MCA system.

ROC/CRC Review

The incorporation application is examined by the concerned MCA processing authority.

The authority may:

• Approve the application
• Seek clarification
• Require correction
• Issue a resubmission requirement
• Reject the application where material deficiencies remain

Proper documentation and internal consistency across all incorporation documents can reduce avoidable queries.

Certificate of Incorporation

After approval, the Registrar of Companies issues the Certificate of Incorporation.

The company comes into legal existence from the incorporation date stated in the certificate.

The certificate generally contains the company’s Corporate Identity Number and other incorporated particulars.

Documents Required for SPICe+ Company Registration

The exact documents depend upon the directors, subscribers, registered office and company type.

A typical incorporation may require:

Directors and Individual Subscribers

• PAN, where applicable
• Passport for foreign nationals
• Identity proof
• Residential address proof
• Email address
• Mobile number
• Digital Signature Certificate
• Other declarations or information required for incorporation

Registered Office

Depending on whether the premises are owned or rented:

• Utility bill
• Rent/lease agreement
• No-objection certificate
• Ownership evidence
• Other address-supporting documentation

Proposed Company

Information may include:

• Proposed names
• Business activities
• Main objects
• Authorised capital
• Subscribed capital
• Shareholding pattern
• Number of shares
• Proposed directors
• Registered office

Corporate Shareholder

Where a company or other body corporate subscribes to the Indian company, additional documents may include:

• Certificate of incorporation
• Constitutional documents
• Board resolution
• Details of authorised representative
• Ownership particulars
• Other documents required under applicable law

SPICe+ Registration for Foreign Shareholders

The incorporation process may involve additional documentation where subscribers, directors or corporate shareholders are located outside India.

Foreign-executed documents may require notarisation, apostille or consular authentication depending upon the country and applicable legal requirements.

Other considerations may include:

• Foreign shareholder documentation
• Overseas corporate resolutions
• Authorised representative documentation
• FEMA requirements
• Foreign Direct Investment policy
• Beneficial ownership
• Sectoral conditions
• RBI reporting after investment

Foreign companies planning to establish an Indian subsidiary can explore:

India Market Entry Consulting Services

and

Wholly Owned Subsidiary in India

Foreign-exchange matters can also be reviewed through our FEMA and RBI Advisory Services.

Common Reasons for Resubmission of Incorporation Applications

An incorporation application may require resubmission because of incomplete or inconsistent information.

Common areas requiring attention include:

• Proposed name concerns
• Objects inconsistent with the proposed name
• Incorrect NIC code
• Registered-office documentation
• Utility bill issues
• Missing NOC
• Difference in names across identity documents
• Incomplete subscriber information
• Incorrect shareholding details
• MOA and AOA inconsistencies
• Digital-signature issues
• Foreign-document authentication
• Missing mandatory attachments

Professional review before filing can help identify these issues.

How Long Does the Company Registration Process Take?

There is no single guaranteed period applicable to every company incorporation.

The overall timeline depends upon factors including:

• Availability of the proposed name
• Number and location of directors/shareholders
• DSC availability
• Completeness of documents
• Foreign shareholder involvement
• Registered-office documentation
• Nature of business
• Regulatory approvals, if any
• MCA processing
• Resubmission or clarification requirements

A straightforward incorporation with complete documents can generally be completed considerably faster than a case involving foreign documentation, regulated objects or resubmission.

Businesses should therefore avoid relying on unrealistic guaranteed incorporation timelines.

Cost of Company Registration Through SPICe+

The total cost of incorporating a company can vary depending upon:

• Type of company
• Authorised share capital
• State of registered office
• Applicable stamp duty
• Number of DSCs required
• Number and location of shareholders/directors
• Foreign documentation
• Professional fees
• Additional regulatory registrations

Accordingly, the incorporation cost should be determined after reviewing the proposed company structure.

For a customised quotation, businesses can contact EzyBiz India through our main Company Registration in India page.

What Happens After Company Incorporation?

Obtaining the Certificate of Incorporation is the beginning of the company’s compliance lifecycle rather than the end.

Depending upon applicability, important post-incorporation matters may include:

• Opening/activation of the company bank account
• Receipt of subscribed share capital
• Commencement-of-business compliance
• Appointment of first auditor
• First Board meeting
• Issue of share certificates
• Maintenance of statutory registers
• Accounting setup
• GST compliance
• TDS compliance
• Payroll setup
• Income-tax compliance
• ROC annual compliance
• FEMA/RBI reporting for foreign investment

For ongoing accounting support, visit our Accounting and Bookkeeping Services in India.

For payroll support, see our Payroll Outsourcing Services in India.

For ongoing corporate filings, businesses may explore our Corporate Secretarial and ROC Compliance Services.

SPICe+ vs the Earlier Company Incorporation Process

Earlier company-registration procedures involved a greater number of separate forms and applications.

The integrated SPICe+ mechanism consolidated several incorporation-related requirements into a web-based process.

The important point for present-day applicants is therefore not the historic forms that were replaced, but how the current SPICe+ incorporation process works.

New applicants should use the current MCA forms and instructions rather than relying on old incorporation guides referring to forms and procedures that are no longer applicable.

The MCA’s official guidance on SPICe+ can be reviewed through the Official SPICe+ Instruction Kit.

Advantages of the SPICe+ Incorporation Process

The integrated incorporation mechanism provides several practical advantages.

Integrated Filing

Multiple incorporation-related applications are linked within the same process.

Online Process

The principal incorporation filing and supporting documents are submitted electronically.

Integrated PAN and TAN

Tax identification requirements are integrated into incorporation.

DIN Application

DIN applications for eligible first directors can be incorporated into the process within applicable limits.

Linked Registrations

Several employment, banking and state-related registrations can be coordinated through linked forms depending upon applicability.

Standardised Documentation

The electronic framework creates a more structured process for incorporation information and constitutional documents.

Company Registration Through SPICe+ in Delhi

The SPICe+ process itself is an online MCA process and is not restricted to Delhi.

However, businesses and entrepreneurs in Delhi can obtain professional assistance with company incorporation, documentation and related registrations through EzyBiz India’s New Delhi office.

Businesses looking for local assistance can explore our Chartered Accountant and Company Registration Services in Delhi.

For nationwide incorporation assistance, our principal commercial page remains Company Registration Services in India.

Related Services

• Company Registration in India – Main Pillar Page
• Business Registrations & Licences in India
• Company Registration and CA Services in Delhi
• India Market Entry Consulting
• Wholly Owned Subsidiary in India
• FEMA and RBI Advisory Services
• GST and Indirect Tax Services
• Corporate Secretarial and ROC Compliance
• Accounting and Bookkeeping Services in India
• Managed Business Services in India

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SPICe+?

SPICe+ is the integrated web-based mechanism used by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for incorporation of new companies and several linked registrations in India.

What is the full form of SPICe+?

SPICe+ stands for Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus.

What is SPICe+ Part A?

SPICe+ Part A is primarily used for reserving the proposed name of a new company.

It can be submitted separately or together with Part B.

What is SPICe+ Part B?

Part B contains the principal information required for incorporation, including company particulars, registered office, directors, subscribers, capital and other statutory information.

Is SPICe+ compulsory for a new company?

The MCA uses the SPICe+ mechanism for incorporation of new companies. Applicants should use the current forms and procedures available on the MCA portal.

Can DIN be obtained through SPICe+?

Yes. DIN can be applied for for eligible proposed first directors through SPICe+ within the limits prescribed under the incorporation mechanism.

The MCA’s current instruction kit states that up to three proposed directors can apply for DIN through the integrated form for companies other than Producer Companies, while a higher limit applies to Producer Companies.

Are PAN and TAN issued through SPICe+?

Yes. PAN and TAN are integrated with the company incorporation process.

Is GST registration compulsory with company incorporation?

No. Merely incorporating a company does not automatically make GST registration mandatory in every case.

GST applicability depends upon the nature of business, turnover and other conditions under the GST law. The integrated incorporation system provides an option to apply for GST where appropriate.

What is AGILE-PRO-S?

AGILE-PRO-S is a linked incorporation form covering various registrations such as EPFO, ESIC, bank-account opening and other registrations depending upon applicability. GST can also be applied for through the linked process where required.

Is there a minimum capital requirement for a Private Limited Company?

The earlier statutory minimum paid-up capital requirement for private companies was removed. The appropriate capital should instead be decided considering the proposed business requirements, shareholding structure and applicable filing/stamp-duty implications.

Can a foreign national become a director or shareholder?

Foreign nationals and foreign companies can participate in Indian companies subject to applicable company law, documentation, FEMA, FDI and sector-specific requirements.

Foreign-executed documents may require appropriate notarisation, apostille or consular authentication.

Can a foreign company incorporate an Indian subsidiary through SPICe+?

Yes. An Indian subsidiary is incorporated under the Companies Act using the applicable company-incorporation process, with additional documentation for the foreign shareholder and compliance with FEMA/FDI requirements.

How long does SPICe+ company registration take?

The actual time depends upon name approval, documentation, company structure, MCA processing and whether any clarification or resubmission is required.

A fixed timeline should therefore not be assumed for every incorporation.

Do we need a professional for company registration?

The incorporation process involves constitutional documents, statutory declarations, professional certification and other legal requirements. Professional assistance can therefore help ensure that the proposed structure and documents are properly prepared before filing.

Professional Assistance With SPICe+ Company Registration

The SPICe+ process has simplified company incorporation, but promoters still need to make important decisions relating to the company name, business objects, directors, shareholders, capital structure, registered office and post-incorporation requirements.

EzyBiz India assists entrepreneurs, businesses and foreign investors with the complete incorporation process, including:

• Structure review
• Document checklist
• DSC coordination
• Company-name review
• SPICe+ preparation
• MOA and AOA
• Linked incorporation forms
• Filing and follow-up
• Response to resubmission requirements
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Post-incorporation support

For comprehensive incorporation assistance, visit our main Company Registration in India page.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this page is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, investment, regulatory or professional advice.

Company-incorporation procedures, MCA forms, linked registrations, government fees, state-specific registrations and documentary requirements may change from time to time.

The actual procedure and documentation depend upon the type of company, proposed directors and shareholders, registered office, business activity, foreign ownership and other circumstances.

Applicants should verify the latest requirements on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal and obtain professional advice appropriate to their specific circumstances before filing.

Prepared by: Anil Agrawal, EzyBiz India Consulting LLP, New Delhi

Last Updated: August 2026