Public Limited Company Registration
A Public Limited Company is the most popular business structure in India for startups and growing businesses. It offers limited liability protection to its shareholders while allowing flexibility in management and operations.
Key characteristics of a Public Limited Company:
- Separate Legal Entity: Company is distinct from its owners
- Limited Liability: Shareholders' liability limited to their share capital
- Perpetual Succession: Company continues despite changes in ownership
- Minimum 2 Directors: At least one must be resident in India
- Minimum 2 Shareholders: Maximum can be up to 200
- Authorized Capital: No minimum requirement (recommended ₹1 lakh)
Build a company structured to raise capital at scale
- Board and shareholding planned with you – minimum three directors and seven shareholders
- Name approval, DSC, DIN, MOA & AOA and SPICe+ filing
- PAN and TAN issued with your Certificate of Incorporation
Benefits of Public Limited Company
Limited Liability
Shareholders are only liable for the amount unpaid on their shares, protecting personal assets from business liabilities.
Fundraising
Easier to raise capital through equity funding from investors, venture capital, or angel investors.
Credibility
Enhances business credibility with customers, suppliers, and financial institutions.
Transferability
Shares can be easily transferred to new owners without disrupting operations.
Tax Benefits
Eligible for various tax deductions and lower tax rates compared to proprietorships.
Perpetual Existence
Company continues to exist regardless of changes in ownership or management.
Requirements for Public Limited Company
Directors
Minimum 3 directors (maximum 15), at least one must be resident in India
Shareholders
Minimum 7 shareholders (maximum 200), can be same as directors
Capital
No minimum capital requirement (recommended ₹1 lakh)
Registered Office
Must have a registered office address in India (proof required)
Name Approval
Unique company name approved by MCA (we help with name search)
MOA & AOA
Memorandum and Articles of Association outlining company rules
Documents Required for Registration
Identity Proof
PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport (foreign nationals)
Address Proof
Latest bank statement, electricity bill, or mobile bill
Photographs
Passport size photos of all directors and shareholders
Office Proof
Rent agreement and NOC from owner if rented property
Foreign Documents
Passport and address proof apostilled (for foreign directors)
Other Documents
DSC (Digital Signature) for all directors, DIN application
Public Limited Company Registration Process
1. Name Reservation
We file RUN (Reserve Unique Name) application with MCA after checking name availability.
2. Obtain Digital Signatures
Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for all proposed directors and 7 members which may be Directors also.
3. Director Identification Number
Apply for DIN (Director Identification Number) for all directors.
4. Draft MOA & AOA
Prepare Memorandum and Articles of Association as per company objectives.
5. File SPICe+ Form
Submit incorporation application with ROC along with all documents.
6. Certificate of Incorporation
Receive incorporation certificate with CIN (Corporate Identity Number).
Typical Timeline
- Name Approval: 1-2 working days
- DSC & DIN: 1-2 working days
- SPICe+ Filing: 1-3 working days
- ROC Approval: 5-7 working days
- Total: 10-15 working days
Post-Incorporation Compliance
PAN & TAN Application
Applied automatically during incorporation process through SPICe+ form.
Bank Account Opening
Required to deposit share capital and conduct business transactions.
GST Registration
Mandatory if turnover exceeds ₹40 lakhs (₹20 lakhs for special category states).
First Board Meeting
Must be held within 30 days of incorporation to appoint auditors.
Annual Compliance
Includes financial statements, annual returns, and tax filings each year.
Transparent Pricing
| Service | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Public Limited Company Registration | ₹11,999 | ₹19,999 |
| Includes: |
|
|
| Government Fees (additional) | ₹5,000 - ₹15,000 (based on authorized capital) | |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Public companies face stricter rules from day one. These are the usual early mistakes.
- Too few directors or shareholders – A public company needs at least three directors and seven shareholders.
- Articles that don’t suit a public company – Clauses copied from private company templates may not apply.
- Ignoring independent director rules – Some public companies must appoint independent directors and committees.
- Assuming listing is automatic – Being public does not mean being listed; listing is a separate process.
- Underestimating compliance – Public companies have more disclosures, meetings and filings.
After Incorporation: What Comes Next
INC-20A within 180 days
Subscription money received and commencement declared.
Board and committees
Directors, KMP and required committees put in place.
Statutory registers and meetings
Registers maintained and board meetings held regularly.
Annual filings
AGM, AOC-4, MGT-7 and income tax return every year.
Helpful Guides
Free, plain-English guides from our compliance team:
Why Choose Vaidam Consultancy for Public Limited Company Registration
Structured for growth
Share capital and board structure are planned with future fundraising in mind.
Clear, upfront pricing
Our fees are listed on this page, and any government fee is shown separately before we start.
One point of contact
A single consultant manages your application from name approval to incorporation.
Compliance-ready from day one
We explain the board meetings, AGMs and filings a public company must keep up with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Authorized capital is the maximum capital a company can issue, while paid-up capital is the actual amount invested by shareholders. There's no minimum requirement for either.
Yes, existing businesses can be converted to Public limited companies by transferring assets and liabilities to the new entity.
No, the entire process can be completed online. We'll guide you through document submission and verification remotely.
Key compliances include holding board meetings, maintaining statutory registers, filing annual returns, and conducting audits if applicable.
Yes, NRIs and foreign nationals can be directors, but at least one director must be resident in India (stays ≥182 days in a year).
At least three directors and seven shareholders. There is no upper limit on the number of shareholders.
No. A public limited company can remain unlisted. Listing on a stock exchange is a separate process with its own SEBI and exchange requirements.
There is no prescribed minimum paid-up capital; you choose the capital based on your business plans.
Yes. A private company can convert by passing a special resolution, altering its articles and meeting the public company requirements.