Incorporation Checklist for Indian Startups: Documents, Name Approval and Timelines

Incorporating a company or LLP in India is now largely online, but it goes fastest when everything is ready before you start. This checklist covers what to prepare, and what to do in the first weeks after incorporation.

Before You Start

Founders' documents

• PAN card, and Aadhaar or passport, for each founder.
• Recent photographs.
• Proof of residential address, like a bank statement or utility bill.
• Email and mobile number for each.
• Foreign founders: passport and apostilled or consularised address proof.

Registered office

• A utility bill for the premises, not older than two months.
• A rent agreement and the owner's no-objection certificate if not owned.

Business details

• What the business will do — for the objects clause and activity codes.
• Shareholding or profit-sharing between founders.
• Authorised and paid-up capital, for a company.

Choosing a Name

1. Shortlist two or three names.
2. Check them against existing company and LLP names on the MCA portal.
3. Search the trademark registry for similar marks.
4. Avoid restricted words that need special approval.

Names are reserved through the MCA's RUN service or as part of the incorporation form.

Digital Signatures

Each proposed director or designated partner needs a DSC to sign the incorporation forms. DIN is allotted as part of incorporation for new directors.

The Filing

• Companies: SPICe+, which also allots PAN, TAN, and can include GST and bank account applications.
• LLPs: FiLLiP, with the LLP agreement filed separately afterwards.

With documents ready, incorporation usually takes one to two weeks, depending on name approval and processing.

After Incorporation

1. Open a current account and deposit share capital.
2. File INC-20A within 180 days, for a company.
3. Appoint the first auditor within 30 days, for a company.
4. File the LLP agreement within 30 days, for an LLP.
5. Register for GST, Professional Tax, and Shops and Establishments as needed.
6. Sign a founders' agreement.

Getting Help

Think Filing handles incorporation from name search to post-incorporation filings.