How to Register a Startup in India (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

India is now one of the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, home to over 1,20,000+ registered startups.
If you’re a founder, the first step in your entrepreneurial journey is a clean, legally registered business entity.

This guide gives you everything you need to know:

  • What qualifies as a startup
  • How to register a company
  • How to get DPIIT Startup Recognition
  • Documents required
  • Costs, timelines, mistakes to avoid

Let’s begin.

1. Qualify Your Startup under DPIIT

To be eligible for DPIIT Startup Recognition (very useful for tax & funding benefits):

  • Your Business should be either Private Limited or LLP or Registered Partnership.
  • Should be less than 10 years old.
  • Turnover must be under ₹100 crore (in any financial year).
  • Must be working on innovation / scalable business (not just a routine trading business).

2. Choose the Right Legal Structure

  • Private Limited Company — ideal for high-growth startups, fundraising, ESOPs.
  • LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) — good for service businesses, lower ongoing compliance.
  • Partnership Firm — simpler, but less suitable for external investment.

3. Apply for Digital Signature Certificate

  • DSC (Digital Signature Certificate): Required for all directors. Current market cost (2025): ~₹1,500–₹2,500 per DSC.

4. Name Reservation (SPICe+ Part A)

  • Use the SPICe+ Part A form on MCA portal.
  • The RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service (if used separately) costs ₹1,000.
  • After name approval, you have 20 days to complete incorporation. However you may extend the same by paying extension fees. (Max. 40 more days)

5. Required Documents

  • Objects, Capital etc. Details for INC-33 e-MOA (Memorandum of Association)
  • Articles details for INC-34 e-AOA (Articles of Association)
  • Proof of registered office (utility bill not older than 2 months, NOC/Leave and License Agreement)
  • Director’s identity/address proof/Passport Size Photo/Personal contact details

6. File SPICe+ (Part B) and Linked Forms

Use SPICe+ Part B to file:

  • Incorporation details
  • PAN & TAN for the company
  • EPFO / ESIC registration
  • Professional Tax Registration
  • GST registration (optional via AGILE-PRO)
  • Bank account opening (optional through MCA integrated form)

7. Pay Fees & Stamp Duty

Government Filing Fees (MCA):

  • For companies with authorised capital up to ₹10 lakh, zero SPICe+ filing fee applies. However few states are charging higher fees on AOA.
  • For higher capital, MCA fee depends on the slab.

Stamp Duty:

  • Depends on the state and authorised capital.
  • Could be as low as a few hundred rupees or go up to several thousand.

8. Get Certificate of Incorporation (COI)

Once your SPICe+ application is approved and verified:

  • The COI is issued. Along with COI, you typically receive PAN and TAN allotted through SPICe+.

9. Post-Incorporation Tasks

  • Open a bank account in the company’s name (COI + MOA + AOA + board resolution required).
  • Appointment of First Auditors within 30 days (form ADT-1)
  • Payment of Stamp duty and Issuance of Share Certificates (within 60 days)
  • If needed, apply for GST registration (if your business model or turnover demands it).
  • File INC-20A (Declaration of Commencement) within 180 days of incorporation. (Important: missing this can lead to penalties or ROC striking off the company.)

10. Apply for DPIIT Recognition

  • Use the NSWS (National Single Window System) portal for DPIIT Startup Recognition (2025 update).
  • Required documents: COI, pitch deck / business plan, proof of innovation, founder IDs, etc.
  • Cost: Free for recognition; no fee is charged by DPIIT.
  • Benefit: Tax advantages (80-IAC), angel tax relief, and more.

Updated Timeline (2025)

Here’s an updated and realistic timeline based on current processes:

StageEstimated Time
DSC IssuanceWithin Few Minutes
DIN GenerationNo Separate Application is required (through SPICe)
Name Reservation (SPICe+ Part A)2–3 working days typically
SPICe+ Filing & Verification2–3 working days
Certificate of Incorporation5–7 working days if no additional details requested by CRC
Total Time for Incorporation5–7 working days, commonly ~1–2 weeks
DPIIT Recognition~2–3 Weeks depending on application quality and documentation (varies) from Application date

Updated Cost (2025)

Here’s a breakdown of the latest cost components for registering a Private Limited Company (2025):

Cost ItemEstimated Range
Government Fees (SPICe+)₹2,000 for capital ≤ ₹10 lakh (Vary from time to time) Beyond that, MCA fee per capital slab.
Stamp Duty (MOA + AOA) & PAN TANVery variable — ₹643 to ~₹10,143+ depending on state and capital
DSC (per Director)~₹1,500–₹2,500 (market rate, 2025)
DINNo separate fee if applied via SPICe+ for up to certain directors.
Professional Fees (CA / CS / Legal)~₹7,500–₹25,000+ depending on the service provider and complexity.
Trademark Registration (Optional)₹4,500 – ₹9,000 per class.

Rough Total (for many early-stage startups):
₹8,000 – ₹35,000+ is a realistic ballpark if you’re using a competent service provider.

Common Mistakes & Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Underestimating Stamp Duty: Many founders forget that stamp duty depends on state + authorised capital.
  • Cheap Service Packages: Some very low-cost packages compromise on important documents (MOA/AOA) or miss INC-20A declaration. > “That ‘complete package’ often costs 10× more later when you fix it.”
  • DSC Expiry & Misuse: Ensure DSCs are valid when used; expired or poorly managed DSCs can delay incorporation.
  • Skipping DPIIT Application: Many miss the startup recognition even though it’s free and offers huge benefits.
  • Missing Post-Incorporation Filings: File INC-20A, appoint auditor, maintain statutory registers to avoid future penalties.

How ComplianceDekho Helps You:

At ComplianceDekho, we guide founders through:

Your startup’s foundation must be strong.
We build it. Silently.

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