Private Limited Company registration in India, built for growth.
ZegalWorks handles your incorporation, documentation and the compliance steps that follow, for founders in Chennai, across Tamil Nadu and anywhere in India, so you can register correctly the first time and focus on building your business.
What is a Private Limited Company?
A Private Limited Company is a business registered under the Companies Act, 2013, that exists as a legal entity separate from its owners. It can own property, sign contracts, and be sued in its own name — and the people who own it are only liable up to what they've invested, not personally for the company's debts.
Under the Companies Act, 2013 a private company restricts the transfer of its shares, limits its members to 200 and cannot invite the public to subscribe for its securities. Its name must end with “Private Limited”.
It's the structure most Indian startups, SaaS businesses, agencies, and product companies register under — particularly once they plan to raise funding or bring in more than one founder. That said, it isn't automatically the best fit for every business; the next section walks through when it makes sense.
Want a rough idea of the costs first? Try the free Private Limited Cost Calculator. It is an estimate, not a quote.
Is a Private Limited Company Right for You?
Most founders don't need to compare every structure in detail — usually one or two questions settle it.
Choose Private Limited if you want
- A separate legal identity for the business
- Limited liability protection
- A documented shareholding structure
- To raise funding in future
- Scalable ownership as you grow
- A structure investors already expect
- To build a formal organisation
Another structure may be better if
You're working solo with no near-term plans to raise funding — an OPC may involve less compliance.
You want limited liability without needing share capital — an LLP may fit better.
You and a partner are testing an idea before formalising — a Partnership may be enough for now.
You want the absolute simplest setup — a Proprietorship has the least ongoing compliance.
Not sure which structure fits? Compare all business registration options →
Who Can Register a Private Limited Company?
The current requirements under the Companies Act, 2013.
- Directors
- Minimum 2, maximum 15 (more with a special resolution).
- Shareholders
- Minimum 2, maximum 200. Directors and shareholders can be the same people. Not sure a company is the right structure? Try the free Business Structure Finder. Planning how to split shares between founders? Try the Founder Share Split Calculator.
- Resident director
- At least one director must be a resident of India under Section 149(3) of the Companies Act: someone who has stayed in India for 182 days or more in the previous calendar year. For a newly incorporated company the test applies proportionately by the end of its first financial year.
- Registered office
- A verifiable office address in India, required from the date of incorporation.
- Director Identification (DIN)
- Every director needs one, obtained through the incorporation form.
- Digital Signature (DSC)
- Required for at least one director to sign filings electronically.
- Company name
- Must be unique and not identical or too similar to an existing company or trademark.
- Business activity
- Must be lawful and clearly stated in the incorporation documents.
- Minimum capital
- None — there is no minimum paid-up capital requirement.
Documents Required
We confirm the exact list for your specific situation during consultation.
Forms may ask for a NIC code that describes your main business activity. The free NIC Code Finder helps you search official NIC business activity codes. Check which version your form accepts.
Director & Shareholder Documents
- PAN card, for all directors and shareholders
- Identity proof — Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or driving licence
- Address proof — recent bank statement, utility bill, or passport
- Passport-size photograph
Registered Office Documents
- Proof of the registered office address
- Rental agreement or ownership document
- NOC from the property owner, if the office is rented or shared
Foreign directors, existing DIN holders, and certain regulated activities may need additional documents — we'll confirm this with you upfront.
How Much Does Registration Cost?
Your total cost is made up of three parts, and it's different for every company:
For guidance, document preparation, and filing support from our team.
Set by the MCA, and dependent on your authorised capital and state.
GST, trademark, or MSME — only if and when you choose to add them.
Because government fees vary by state and authorised capital, we'll walk you through the exact breakdown for your company before you commit to anything.
Government and statutory charges typically include the MCA fee (linked to your authorised capital), stamp duty on the Memorandum and Articles of Association (set by each state) and Digital Signature Certificates for the directors. Our free Private Limited Cost Calculator estimates these, including Tamil Nadu stamp duty, before you speak to anyone. If you also want monthly accounting and compliance handled, see our Partner Plans.
Get a Tailored QuoteHow Long Does Registration Take?
Actual timing depends on document readiness, name availability, MCA processing volumes, whether any queries are raised on your application, and how quickly your registered office documentation is finalised.
What ZegalWorks Handles for You
We're not a company registration agent that disappears after filing — we're a business setup and compliance partner. Here's how we work with you:
- Understand. We learn about your business before recommending a setup — not the other way around.
- Prepare. We help you organise the required information and documents, and tell you exactly what's missing.
- File. We coordinate DSC, DIN, name approval, and the SPICe+ incorporation filing with the MCA.
- Update. We keep you informed of progress and handle any MCA queries or resubmissions.
- Guide. Once incorporated, we explain exactly what you need to do next.
- Support. You can continue with us for accounting, tax, GST, and ongoing compliance.
Beyond incorporation itself, we also handle GST registration, accounting and bookkeeping, trademark registration, and ROC annual compliance — most companies need at least one of these within the first few months.
What Happens After Incorporation?
Registration is the beginning, not the end. Most companies work through this sequence in their first few months. Two steps carry statutory time limits: appointing the first auditor and filing the declaration of commencement of business.
- Open a business bank account in your company's name.
- Appoint the first auditor within 30 days of incorporation (Section 139(6)) and inform the ROC through Form ADT-1.
- File the declaration of commencement of business (Form INC-20A) within 180 days of incorporation (Section 10A).
- Set up accounting correctly from your first transaction.
- Register for GST, if your turnover or business model requires it.
- Register for MSME (Udyam), where applicable, to access government schemes.
- Start invoicing clients as a registered company.
- Set up payroll once you bring on your first hire.
- Protect your name with trademark registration.
- Stay current on ROC compliance — annual filings, director KYC, and event-based filings for any change in directors, share capital, or registered office.
- File income tax on schedule.
- Keep your cap table and documentation ready for funding and growth. The free Fundraising Fit Check shows where you stand.
Private Limited vs Other Business Structures
A plain-English comparison for first-time founders.
| Private Limited | LLP | OPC | Partnership | Proprietorship | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 2–200 shareholders | 2+ partners | 1 owner | 2+ partners | 1 owner |
| Separate legal entity | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Liability | Limited | Limited | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Compliance level | Higher | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Lowest |
| Fundraising suitability | Best suited | Limited | Limited | Not suited | Not suited |
| Ownership structure | Shares | Partnership stake | Single shareholder | Partnership stake | Sole owner |
| Suitable for | Startups, funded businesses | Professional & service firms | Solo founders | Small, early-stage teams | Freelancers, small traders |
Private Limited Company registration in Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Incorporation is a fully online, national process on the MCA portal, so the steps are the same whether your registered office is in Chennai, Coimbatore or anywhere else in India. You do not need to visit a government office to register.
Three things do depend on where your registered office is:
- The Registrar of Companies (ROC). The MCA lists ROC offices at Chennai and Coimbatore for Tamil Nadu, and a separate office for Puducherry. Your company is registered with the office that has jurisdiction over your registered office address.
- Stamp duty. Stamp duty on the Memorandum and Articles is set by the state. Our cost calculator includes Tamil Nadu.
- State and local registrations. After incorporation, Tamil Nadu businesses commonly deal with Shops and Establishments registration, a trade licence from the local body and professional tax. See our state-wise guides.
We support founders across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Madurai, Trichy, Sivakasi, Salem, Erode and Hosur. If you are not sure whether a company is the right structure yet, compare LLP, OPC and partnership registration, or talk to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers, not keyword variations.
Where these rules come from
Company law is set by the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) notifies under it. Forms, fees and procedures are updated from time to time, so check the current text at the source.
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the official portal for incorporation and filings
- MCA: Registrar of Companies offices (Chennai, Coimbatore and Puducherry)
- The Companies Act, 2013 (PDF from the MCA), including Sections 2(68), 10A, 139(6) and 149
Last checked against these sources on 23 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice, and we confirm how the rules apply to your company before filing.
Ready to Register Your Company?
Tell us about your business and we'll help you understand the right next steps — no obligation.