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India company establishment and operations guide

India company incorporation: process and documents

Understand what to do, when to act and which documents to prepare.
Follow incorporation and ongoing obligations in one connected guide.

Explore the process
PHASE 01PreparationPlanning, documents and application
PHASE 02IncorporationCheck the Certificate of Incorporation
PHASE 03After incorporationFunding, filings and commencement
PHASE 04Ongoing complianceAccounts, tax and renewals

Scope of this guide This guide assumes an Indian Private Limited Company with investment from a Japanese company or other investors. Branch offices, liaison offices and LLPs follow different procedures. Timing, documents and obligations vary by ownership, sector, state and other factors.

The incorporation process

Incorporation steps and documents

From initial checks to the Certificate of Incorporation. Document preparation, banking and permit reviews can proceed in parallel where appropriate.

Step and approachKey documentsTiming and deadline
01

Business & investment planning

Define the proposed activities, shareholding, directors and location. Check foreign-investment restrictions, the investment route and sector licences before separating the incorporation plan from operational approvals.

Responsibility and practical notes

Main responsibility: Japan-side project lead, Indian legal adviser and CS

Capital and completion times are not standardised. This guide assumes a Private Limited Company.

Key documents
  • Business description and proposed activities
  • Proposed shareholders and directors
  • Capital and funding plan
  • Proposed location and approval checklist
Before application preparationCheck applicability and the current form
02

Name reservation / SPICe+ Part A

Check similar names and trademark considerations, then reserve the company name through the applicable MCA process.

Responsibility and practical notes

Main responsibility: Company Secretary (CS) and Japan-side project lead

Approval times depend on examination and resubmission. Also check the reservation validity period.

Key documents
  • Proposed company names
  • Meaning of the name and business activities
  • Parent-company consent to use its name, if applicable
After agreeing the proposed namesCheck applicability and the current form
03

KYC / Digital Signature Certificate

Collect identity documents for directors and subscribers and arrange Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs). Confirm the appropriate route for obtaining Director Identification Numbers (DINs).

Responsibility and practical notes

Main responsibility: Directors, shareholders, certification providers and CS

Authentication depends on the issuing country and document type. Confirm the format and document validity before sending originals.

Key documents
  • Passports and address evidence
  • Photographs and contact details
  • Foreign corporate registration documents and investment resolution
  • Notarisation, apostille and certified translation where required
Before filing for incorporationCheck applicability and the current form
04

MoA / AoA / declarations

Prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association, director consents and declarations, and registered-office evidence.

Responsibility and practical notes

Main responsibility: CS, directors and shareholders

Check eligibility for electronic constitutional documents, signature requirements and foreign shareholder resolutions against the ownership structure.

Key documents
  • MoA and AoA
  • Consent to act as director (DIR-2)
  • Declarations such as INC-9, where applicable
  • Lease, owner consent and utility evidence
While preparing the applicationCheck applicability and the current form
05

SPICe+ / linked forms

Submit the incorporation application and linked forms to MCA. Review and respond to any requests for additional information or corrections.

Responsibility and practical notes

Main responsibility: CS and filing director

Approval or incorporation within a particular number of days cannot be guaranteed.

Key documents
  • Signed forms and supporting documents
  • DSCs and identification evidence
  • Registered-office evidence
  • Filing fee and stamp-duty information
Once documents are readyCheck applicability and the current form
06

Certificate of Incorporation / CIN

Check the Certificate of Incorporation (COI), Corporate Identity Number (CIN), PAN, TAN and associated registration details. Start tracking post-incorporation deadlines.

Responsibility and practical notes

Main responsibility: Company lead, CS and CA

Incorporation alone does not satisfy every requirement for trading, operating a factory or tax compliance.

Key documents
  • COI and CIN
  • Registered MoA and AoA
  • PAN and TAN details
  • Linked registration numbers and filing acknowledgements
On incorporation approvalCheck applicability and the current form

Practical coordination for your situation

Discuss your India company setup

Tell us about your proposed business and current preparations. We can help organise the points to confirm and explain practical next steps, including professional liaison and document preparation.

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Using this guide

This guide provides general information to explain the process. It is not legal, tax or investment advice and does not determine filing eligibility. Indo Japan Support assists with professional liaison, document preparation and practical coordination. Qualified professionals should confirm individual requirements, certifications and filings.

Updated: 4 November 2026. Confirm applicability and current deadlines with a qualified Indian professional.

Official reference sources