FreeCompliance

Private limited company registration cost in India

2 min read

Packages for company registration range from a few thousand rupees to well over ₹20,000, and it is rarely clear what you are paying for. The actual cost has four parts. Only two of them go to the government, and for most small companies those are modest.

The four parts of the cost

ItemPaid toWhat to expect
MCA filing fee for SPICe+Ministry of Corporate AffairsWaived for companies with authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh
Name reservationMinistry of Corporate AffairsA small fee if filed separately through Part A
Stamp duty on MOA and AOAYour state governmentVaries by state and authorised capital
Digital Signature CertificatesA licensed certifying authorityPer person; varies by vendor and validity
Professional feesCA, CS or service providerAnywhere from ₹0 to tens of thousands

PAN, TAN, DIN (for up to three directors through SPICe+), EPFO and ESIC are issued as part of SPICe+ without separate fees.

Government fees in detail

MCA fees

MCA charges a registration fee that scales with authorised capital. For small companies, the filing fee is waived up to ₹15 lakh of authorised capital. This is why most early-stage companies set authorised capital at or below ₹15 lakh, and increase it later when they raise money.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty is a state subject. It is charged on the MOA and AOA, and the amount depends on the state of your registered office and the authorised capital. It is paid electronically through SPICe+ for states that are integrated with MCA.

Where the professional fee goes

SPICe+ must be certified by a practising CA, CS or Cost Accountant. Beyond that, a professional fee usually covers drafting the MOA and AOA, preparing DIR-2, INC-9 and the NOC, filling the forms, and responding to any resubmission.

Most of that work is template-based. That is why FreeCompliance prepares all five documents for ₹0. If you want our CA to review, certify and file SPICe+, it is a flat ₹3,000. Government fees, stamp duty and DSCs are paid at actuals, not marked up.

You can start your application and see your documents before deciding whether to pay anything.

Costs that come after registration

Budget for these in your first year:

  • Statutory audit fee (every company needs an audit, whatever its turnover).
  • Annual ROC filings: AOC-4 and MGT-7 or MGT-7A, plus DIR-3 KYC for each director.
  • Income tax return and, if applicable, GST and TDS returns.
  • Penalties if INC-20A or annual filings are missed, which are often larger than the registration cost itself.

Frequently asked questions

If your authorised capital is ₹15 lakh or less, the MCA fee is waived. You still pay stamp duty for your state, DSCs for each person, and a professional's certification fee.

Mostly because of professional fees and add-ons such as GST registration, trademark filing or first-year compliance. Government fees are the same whoever files.

Yes. Both MCA fees above the waiver limit and stamp duty increase with authorised capital. Start with what you need and increase it later.

It can be applied for in AGILE-PRO-S at no government fee. It is only mandatory if you cross the turnover threshold or fall into a compulsory category.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Government fees and procedures change; confirm current figures before you file.

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