How to Register a Company – Step-by-Step Registration Process

Picture this: Ramesh, a 30-year-old software wizard from Bangalore, is tired of freelancing. He earns ₹80,000 per month, but clients keep asking, “Are you a registered company?” Losing just two clients a month because he is unregistered means a ₹1,60,000 loss annually. That is enough to buy a Royal Enfield and still have cash for fuel and weekend trips to Coorg.

This is where understanding how to register a company becomes important and essential for serious entrepreneurs.

Registering your company does not just give you a legal identity. It opens doors to business loans, government tenders, and investor funding. More importantly, it helps in protecting your assets from business risks.

In this blog, we will walk you through every step of registering a company in India, with solid examples, catchy desi quotes, detailed tables, and even a few calculations to crunch.

So, get your chai, grab your laptop, and let us make your dream official. Because, boss, "jo dikhta hai, woh bikta hai!"

What Does It Mean to Register a Company?

Registering a company means officially recording your business with the government to create a legal entity. This entity can own assets, sign contracts, and pay taxes. Registration protects the business owner’s assets and provides credibility.

Read More – Business Loan Eligibility Requirements in 2025

In India, companies can be registered as Private Limited Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, One-Person 

Companies, or Partnership Firms, among others. Each type has its own rules and advantages.

Step 1: Decide the Type of Company You Want to Register

Ramesh needs to decide whether his consultancy will be a Private Limited Company or a Limited Liability Partnership. Let us look at the common types:

Ramesh opts for a Private Limited Company for better funding opportunities and limited liability protection.

Step 2: Choose a Company Name

Choosing a name is a crucial step in registering a company. The name should be unique and meaningful and follow the rules set by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Ramesh thinks of "Ramesh IT Solutions Pvt Ltd." He searches the MCA Company Name Search portal to check availability. Names similar to or identical to existing companies will be rejected.

Sapne wo nahi jo hum sote waqt dekhte hain, sapne wo hain jo humein neend nahi aane dete!"

Step 3: Obtain Digital Signature Certificate and Director Identification Number

Ramesh needs a Digital Signature Certificate to sign documents electronically to register a company. Each director must also obtain a Director Identification Number (DIN).

For instance, if Ramesh is the sole director, he applies for one DIN. The cost for a Digital Signature Certificate varies, averaging ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 for one year.

Step 4: Prepare Documents for Registration

Ramesh collects the necessary documents:

• Identity proof (passport, voter ID, or Aadhaar card)
  
  
• Address proof (utility bill, rent agreement)
  
  
• Passport size photographs
  
  
• Proof of registered office address (rent agreement or ownership documents)
  
  
• No Objection Certificate from landlord if rented
  
  

All these are mandatory to submit to the Registrar of Companies.

Step 5: File the Application for Incorporation

Ramesh fills out the SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) form available on the MCA portal.

The form requires details like proposed company name, director information, capital structure, and registered office.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company?

Costs vary depending on the authorised capital. Let us consider an example:

7,000

1,000,000

10,000

2,000

12,000

Ramesh chooses ₹100,000 as authorised capital, paying approximately ₹4,500 as fees.

Step 6: Receive Certificate of Incorporation

Once the Registrar verifies the application, Ramesh receives the Certificate of Incorporation within 7 to 10 working days.

This certificate is proof that the company legally exists. It contains the Corporate Identity Number (CIN), company name, date of incorporation, and registered address.

Step 7: Apply for Permanent Account Number and Tax Account Number

After incorporation, Ramesh must apply for