The default vehicle for operating businesses in India — limited liability, 100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors, two directors and two shareholders minimum.
Who needs this
- Foreign companies setting up an Indian subsidiary.
- Startups that intend to raise investment or issue ESOPs.
- Any business that wants limited liability and a separate legal identity.
What we do
- Reserve the name and incorporate through the MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) SPICe+ form, which issues the Certificate of Incorporation, PAN and TAN together.
- Obtain DSCs and DINs for the directors.
- Draft the Memorandum and Articles, including any shareholder-agreement provisions.
- Apply through the linked AGILE-PRO-S form for EPFO, ESIC, Karnataka Professional Tax and the bank account; GST registration is optional at this stage.
- Coordinate notarisation and apostille (or consular attestation) of foreign shareholders' and directors' documents.
- Complete first-board-meeting formalities, share certificates, statutory registers, and the commencement-of-business declaration (Form INC-20A).
- For foreign investment: report the capital inflow to the RBI (Form FC-GPR (Foreign Currency – Gross Provisional Return)) within 30 days of allotment.
What you receive
- Certificate of Incorporation, PAN, TAN, MOA/AOA.
- Signed first board minutes, share certificates and statutory registers.
- RBI FC-GPR acknowledgement (foreign-owned companies).
- A post-incorporation checklist showing what is due in the next 12 months.
Key deadlines / thresholds
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum directors / shareholders | 2 / 2; at least one director must have stayed in India 182+ days in the financial year |
| Commencement of business (INC-20A) | Within 180 days of incorporation, after share capital is received |
| FC-GPR (foreign capital reporting to RBI) | Within 30 days of allotment |
| First auditor appointment | Within 30 days of incorporation by the board |
Documents you'll need
- For each director/shareholder: passport (foreigners) or PAN + Aadhaar (Indians), address proof not older than 2 months, photograph
- Foreign documents: notarised and apostilled (Hague countries) or attested by the Indian consulate
- For a corporate shareholder: certificate of incorporation, board resolution authorising the investment, charter documents, list of directors — all apostilled/attested
- Registered office: rental agreement or ownership proof, utility bill ≤ 2 months old, owner's NOC
- Proposed names (2), main business activity, authorised and paid-up capital, shareholding split
Typical timeline
Typically 2–3 weeks after complete documents are received; longer where foreign documents need apostille. Indicative. Government processing times vary.
Download the document checklist (PDF)
Questions we are asked most
Who needs Private limited company?
Foreign companies setting up an Indian subsidiary. Startups that intend to raise investment or issue ESOPs. Any business that wants limited liability and a separate legal identity.
How long does Private limited company take?
Typically 2–3 weeks after complete documents are received; longer where foreign documents need apostille. Government processing times vary.
What documents do you need for Private limited company?
For each director/shareholder: passport (foreigners) or PAN + Aadhaar (Indians), address proof not older than 2 months, photograph. Foreign documents: notarised and apostilled (Hague countries) or attested by the Indian consulate. For a corporate shareholder: certificate of incorporation, board resolution authorising the investment, charter documents, list of directors — all apostilled/attested. Registered office: rental agreement or ownership proof, utility bill ≤ 2 months old, owner's NOC.
Last updated: September 21, 2026.