Government Fee for Private Limited Company Registration

Starting a Private Limited Company is one of the smartest ways to build a trusted business in India. But before you begin, it is important to understand the government fees involved in the registration process. From name reservation to incorporation and PAN, each step has a fixed cost as per MCA norms. This blog will provide you with complete information on the government fee for private limited company registration.

Factors That Affect the Government Fee for Private Limited Company

Here is a simplified breakdown of the main factors that influence government fees for company registration, based on the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India.

1. Authorised Capital

The most important factor is the authorised share capital of your company. It is the maximum capital a company is legally allowed to raise through shares.

• Government fees increase as the authorised capital increases.
• For example, if your company has an authorised capital of Rs. 1 lakh, the government fee is lower.
• If the capital goes up to Rs. 10 lakh or more, the registration fee also increases accordingly.

2. State of Registration

Government fees can also vary slightly based on the state in which the company is registered.

• Some state stamp duties are higher than others.
• For example, stamp duty in Maharashtra is different from that in Delhi or West Bengal.

You must pay stamp duty on the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA), which vary by state.

3. Type of Company

The nature of the company also plays a role:

• Small companies or startups registered under Startup India may enjoy reduced fees.
• Companies with foreign directors or shareholders may have different requirements, sometimes increasing costs due to legal verifications or translation of documents.

4. Number of Directors and DIN Applications

Each director of a company must have a Director Identification Number (DIN).

• If a DIN has not been allotted previously, a fee is applicable per director.
• For example, appointing 3 new directors without a DIN means additional costs for generating DINs.

Also, Digital Signature Certificate (DSCs) are needed for filing, which may have a separate cost (though not a direct MCA fee, it is a mandatory step).

5. Name Reservation Fee (RUN Application)

To reserve the company name, you must file a RUN (Reserve Unique Name) application through the MCA portal.

• The fee for this application is Rs. 1,000 (non-refundable).
• If the name is rejected, you will need to reapply and pay the fee again.

Make sure the name complies with MCA’s naming guidelines to avoid rejection.

6. Form Filing and Stamp Duty Charges

• The SPICe+ form is used for registration, and filing it involves fixed government fees.
• Stamp duty is charged based on the state and authorised capital, as explained earlier.

7. PAN and TAN Allotment

As part of the registration, the company also gets its PAN and TAN (tax accounts), which involves a nominal fee (usually Rs. 131 for PAN and Rs. 65 for TAN).

Breakdown of Government Fees for Private Limited Company Registration

Here is the breakdown of government fees for a private limited company registration: 

1. Name Reservation Fee (RUN Form)

To reserve your company’s name through the MCA portal, you must submit the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) application.

• Fee: Rs. 1,000 per application (non-refundable)
• If the proposed name is rejected, a fresh fee is required for resubmission.

2. Incorporation Filing Fee (SPICe+ Form)

The main registration is done through the SPICe+ form, which includes multiple services such as company incorporation, PAN/TAN, GST registration (optional), and ESIC/EPFO enrolment.

Government filing fees:

• No filing fee for companies with authorised capital up to Rs. 15 lakh
• Beyond Rs. 15 lakh, fees range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000 depending on the capital slab

3. Stamp Duty on MoA and AoA

Stamp duty varies by state and authorised capital.

For example, in Delhi:

• MoA stamp duty: Rs. 200
• AoA stamp duty: Rs. 300 – Rs. 600

In Maharashtra and other states, the amount may differ.

4. DIN (Director Identification Number)

• DIN is mandatory for each director.
• Fee: NIL (included in SPICe+ form for up to 3 directors)

5. PAN & TAN Application

Included in SPICe+ filing.

• PAN fee: Rs. 66
• TAN fee: Rs. 65

(Both are collected by NSDL separately but processed together)

Total Approximate Government Fees (For Capital up to Rs. 10 lakh):

Rs. 1,000 (RUN) + Rs. 131 (PAN & TAN) + Stamp duty (Rs. 500 – Rs. 1,000 approx.)

Stamp Duty State-Wise Chart for Private Limited Companies

Below is the state-wise stamp duty chart to help you estimate your cost more accurately during the company registration process:

• Stamp duty may increase with higher authorised capital and can change based on state notifications.

• The stamp duty amounts mentioned are approximate averages and commonly applied to authorised capital up to Rs. 10 lakh.

Exemptions and Concessions on Government Fees

The following details include the exemptions and concessions on government fees:

1. Fee Exemption for Companies with Lower Authorised Capital

As per the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014:

• No government fee is charged for filing the SPICe+ form (Form INC-32) for companies with an authorised capital up to Rs. 15 lakh.
• However, stamp duty is still applicable and is not exempt unless provided by a state-specific rule.

2. Startup India Recognition – Exemptions (Partially)

Companies recognised under the Startup India scheme enjoy benefits like:

• Fast-track processing
• Exemption from certain compliances
• Tax benefits under Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act

However, Startup India recognition does not provide an exemption from government fees or stamp duty for company registration.

3. Stamp Duty Concessions – State-Specific

Stamp duty is a state subject, and some state governments provide partial or full exemption for:

• Women entrepreneurs
• SC/ST-led companies
• Companies in backward regions or notified districts
• Startups registered under state-specific startup policies

For example:

• Rajasthan and Gujarat offer reduced stamp duty for startups.
• Delhi and Maharashtra follow fixed stamp duty rules without exemption, unless otherwise notified.

To claim these benefits, you must upload proper supporting documents at the time of registration. Check your state’s revenue department website or consult a Company Secretary (CS).

4. MCA Fee Concessions for Small Companies

A small company (as defined under Section 2(85) of the Companies Act) may enjoy:

• Lower additional fees for late filings
• Reduced compliance requirements

However, no special exemption is provided during initial registration.

MCA Forms Involved in the Private Limited Company Registration Process

Let us look at the key MCA forms involved in the company registration process, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

1. SPICe+ Form (INC-32)

SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) is the main form used for company registration. It i

s an integrated form that includes multiple services.

SPICe+ is divided into two parts:

Part A – For name reservation of the proposed company.

Part B – For incorporation of the company, including:

• DIN (Director Identification Number)
• PAN & TAN allotment
• GSTIN (optional)
• ESIC & EPFO registration
• Professional Tax (for some states)

2. AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35)

This form is filed along with SPICe+ Part B. It helps apply for:

• GST registration
• Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
• Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
• Professional Tax Registration (for states like Maharashtra)
• Bank Account Opening for the new company

This form helps reduce paperwork by linking multiple registrations in one go.

3. e-MoA (INC-33) and e-AoA (INC-34)

These are electronic forms for filing the company’s Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA).

• e-MoA (INC-33): Contains the company’s objectives, name, registered office, and capital structure.
• e-AoA (INC-34): Contains the company’s rules and regulations for internal management.

4. Form INC-9

This is a declaration by all subscribers and first directors that they are not guilty of any fraud or disqualified under the Companies Act.

• This form is auto-generated in the SPICe+ application.
• It can be e-verified (no need for a physical signature).

Smart Tips to Reduce Private Limited Company Registration Cost

The details below include some smart tips to reduce private limited company registration cost:

1. Use MCA’s Official Portal for Registration

You don’t always need to go through expensive agents. You can register your company directly through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) online portal. Using MCA’s SPICe+ Form (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically), you get:

• Name reservation
• Incorporation
• PAN & TAN
• EPFO & ESIC
• GST registration

All in one form, at no extra cost.

2. Limit the Number of Directors and Shareholders

• Each additional director/shareholder requires a separate DSC and DIN. If you are starting small, begin with just two directors, the minimum required by law.
• Fewer people = lower DSC and DIN costs.

3. Keep the Authorised Capital Minimum

Government charges are based on authorised capital. Start with the minimum of Rs.1 lakh, and increase it later when needed. There is no requirement to show paid-up capital immediately.

4. Get Your Own Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)

Some service providers overcharge for DSC. You can buy them from certified DSC authorities like eMudhra, Sify, or Capricorn at Rs. 400–Rs. 700 instead of paying Rs. 1,000+ to intermediaries. Certified providers (as per CCA India) offer legally valid DSCs at low prices.

5. Choose an Affordable Professional or CA Firm

Sometimes, small registered CA firms offer cheaper and faster services than big-name consultants. Make sure they are registered on MCA and offer transparent pricing.

6. Avoid Unnecessary Add-ons

During registration, some platforms may upsell unnecessary services like:

• Domain name
• Business email
• Trademark (if not urgent)

Skip these at the time of registration. You can do them later yourself or choose better deals.

7. Prepare All Documents in Advance

Keep the following ready to avoid multiple submissions:

• Aadhaar & PAN of directors
• Address proof
• Utility bill (not older than 2 months)
• Passport-size photo
• No objection certificate (NOC) from property owner (if using rented address)

Delays can cause rejections and extra charges.

8. Use Residential Address as Registered Office (Initially)

You can use a home address as your office during registration. This saves cost on commercial space or virtual office plans. Later, you can update the address by filing INC-22.

9. Understand What’s Free With SPICe+

The SPICe+ form already includes:

• PAN
• TAN
• ESIC
• EPFO
• GST (optional)

So don’t pay extra for these during registration. All these are included with zero additional government charges.

10. Claim MSME Udyam Registration Post Incorporation

Once registered, apply for Udyam Registration (MSME). It is free and opens access to:

• Subsidies
• Cheaper loans
• Tax exemptions

Starting a Private Limited Company in India does not have to be costly. With smart planning, use of the MCA portal, and avoiding unnecessary charges, you can register affordably and legally. Always refer to the MCA portal for updated, genuine information and ensure a smooth, budget-friendly business launch. In this article, you will get a detailed guide on the government fee for private limited company registration. Contact Online Legal India to get support and assistance in filing a private limited company registration from professional experts.