Registering a company in India legally involves several charges, government fees, form filing costs, stamp duty, and professional fees if you take help. For most businesses, the total works out to roughly ₹8,000 to ₹20,000, though there is no single fixed price. What you actually pay depends on the company type, authorized capital, registered office state, and the number of directors or partners who need a digital signature.
Government fees are mandatory charges paid to the MCA and state authorities, while professional fees cover assistance you hire for the registration process, which vary by provider. For most small companies, the government cost remains relatively low because the MCA charges no filing fee for authorized capital up to ₹15 lakh. However, applicable state stamp duty still applies.
Calculate Your Exact Company Registration Cost in 30 Seconds
Skip the guesswork. Enter your entity type (Private Limited, LLP, or OPC), state, and capital to instantly see your government fees, stamp duty, DSC, and professional charges — plus your total incorporation cost.
Key Takeaways
- There is no single fixed fee to register a company in India. Instead, the total depends on the company type, authorized capital, registered office state, and number of directors or partners requiring a DSC.
- For most small businesses, registration costs around ₹8,000 to ₹20,000, while a Public Limited Company generally costs ₹50,000 or more.
- The MCA filing fee is nil for authorized capital up to ₹15 lakh, so for most new companies.
- Stamp duty is usually the biggest variable in the government cost, as it differs by state.
- Each state sets its own stamp duty, so the same company can have a significantly different registration cost depending on its registered office.
- Each DSC costs around ₹2,500, so adding more directors or partners increases the total; PAN, TAN, and DIN generally do not add separate charges.
- Registration is a one-time cost, but a registered company also spends roughly ₹25,000–₹75,000 a year on accounting and compliance.
How Much Does Company Registration Cost in India in 2026?
For most small businesses, company registration in India costs around ₹8,000 to ₹20,000. Public Limited Company registration costs are higher due to its additional incorporation and compliance requirements, while OPC registration fees are generally lower because of its simpler structure.
The table below provides indicative registration costs for different business structures, including government fees, DSC, stamp duty, and basic professional fees:
| Business Structure | Cost | Main Cost Drivers |
| Private Limited Company | ₹8,000–₹15,000 | Capital, DSC, stamp duty |
| One Person Company (OPC) | ₹6,500–₹17,500 | Capital, DSC |
| LLP | ₹6,000–₹35,000 | Contribution, DSC, agreement stamp duty |
| Public Limited Company | ₹50,000–₹1,00,000+ | Higher number of directors and shareholders, capital, stamp duty |
| Section 8 Company | ₹6,000–₹15,000 | DSC, professional fees, licensing process |
Disclaimer: These figures are indicative, as MCA charges, stamp duty, and professional fees vary by company and service provider.
Real-World Example: Cost by Business Structure
Two friends plan to start a business in Delhi with ₹15 lakh in capital. Their registration costs can vary significantly depending on the structure they choose:
| Cost Component | Private Limited | LLP | Public Limited |
| MCA/incorporation filing | Nil (up to ₹15 lakh) | ₹5,000 | Capital-based, higher |
| Stamp duty | ₹2,460 | LLP Agreement (varies by state) | Higher |
| DSC | ₹5,000 (2 directors) | ₹5,000 (2 partners) | ₹7,500+ (minimum 3 directors) |
| Name reservation | ₹1,000 | ₹200 | ₹1,000 |
| Professional / drafting fees | ~₹5,000 | ~₹5,000 | Higher |
| Approximate total | ~₹13,500 | ~₹15,000 | ₹50,000+ |
As shown in the table above, LLP registration fees are higher because the incorporation fee rises with the contribution amount, unlike a company’s, which stays nil up to ₹15 lakh.
If the LLP later expands and chooses a Public Limited Company, the cost can rise to ₹50,000 or more. A public company requires at least 7 shareholders and 3 directors, increasing DSC, incorporation, stamp duty, and compliance costs.
This shows that your business structure can significantly affect registration costs. Even with the same founders, capital, and location, the total can vary depending on whether you choose a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Public Limited Company
Key Components of Company Incorporation Cost
Your total business registration cost includes different factors. These include:
1. MCA / ROC Filing Fees
The MCA charges a fee for processing incorporation through SPICe+, based on authorized capital. It is:
- Up to ₹15 lakh: Nil (zero-fee scheme)
- ₹15 lakh to ₹50 lakh: ₹2,000
- ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore: ₹2,000 plus an additional fee on the amount above ₹50 lakh
- Above ₹1 crore: Calculated on prescribed capital slabs under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014.
For most small companies, stamp duty makes up most of the government cost.
2. Company Name Reservation
Reserving a company name through SPICe+ Part A costs ₹1,000 per application. You:
- Can submit up to two proposed names in one application.
- May need to pay ₹1,000 again if the names are rejected and you submit a fresh application.
Checking company name availability using the MCA’s official company site or a free company name check tool can help avoid this extra cost.
3. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Every director and subscriber who signs the incorporation documents needs a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), costing around ₹2,500 per person. The total DSC cost increases with the size of your board:
- A company with 2 directors pays around ₹5,000 in total DSC charges
- A company with 4 directors pays around ₹10,000
4. Stamp Duty on MOA and AOA
Stamp duty applies to your incorporation documents, including the MOA, AOA, and SPICe+ forms. The amount depends on your registered office state and authorized capital, making it a major factor in the overall Private Limited Company registration cost.
- States with lowest stamp duty: ₹0 in Sikkim and around ₹135–₹195 in Haryana
- States with highest stamp duty: Around ₹10,020 in Karnataka and ₹10,025 in Punjab
- States with mid-range stamp duty: Around ₹720 in Tamil Nadu, ₹1,300 in Maharashtra, and ₹360–₹2,460 in Delhi, depending on capital
The MCA portal calculates the applicable stamp duty based on your state and authorized capital during SPICe+ filing.
5. PAN, TAN, and DIN
These are generally included in the incorporation process and do not add separate fees for a typical new company.
- PAN and TAN: Issued through the SPICe+ form during incorporation.
- DIN: Allotted through SPICe+ for up to three directors.
Hence, you do not need to budget for separate PAN, TAN, or DIN charges.
6. Professional or Service Fees
Professional fees cover the cost of getting a professional or platform to handle your incorporation. Our fees start around ₹1,999 and vary based on the provider and services included. They may cover:
- Document preparation and drafting
- SPICe+ form preparation and filing
- MCA filing and follow-up
- Post-incorporation support
When comparing quotes, check whether the starting price covers only professional fees or also includes government charges and stamp duty. This helps you compare packages accurately and avoid unexpected costs later.
Government Fees vs Professional Fees for Company Registration: What’s the Difference?
Government charges are mandatory, while professional fees cover optional assistance with the registration process.
The table below explains each charge, who you pay it to, and what determines its amount:
| Cost | Paid To | Mandatory? | Depends On |
| MCA filing fee | Central government (MCA) | Yes | Authorized capital |
| Stamp duty | State government | Yes | State + authorized capital |
| DSC | Certifying authority | Yes | Number of people requiring DSC |
| Name reservation | Central government (MCA) | Yes | Number of applications filed |
| Professional fee | Service provider | Optional | Scope of services |
Note: You can complete the process yourself and avoid professional fees, but you still need to pay the applicable government charges and other statutory costs. Professional support, however, can help you choose a compliant name, prepare the MOA and AOA correctly, file SPICe+ without errors, and choose suitable authorized capital to manage stamp duty and fees. Experts can also guide you through requirements such as INC-20A and GST registration, helping you avoid delays and costly mistakes.
How to Estimate Your Exact Company Registration Cost?
Use this formula to estimate your registration cost:
Total Cost = MCA Filing Fee + Stamp Duty + DSC + Name Reservation + Professional Fees
Consider a Private Limited Company with 2 directors and ₹10 lakh authorized capital, registered in Delhi.
- MCA filing fee (capital under ₹15 lakh): ₹0
- Stamp duty (Delhi): ₹1,710
- DSC (2 × ₹2,500): ₹5,000
- Name reservation: ₹1,000
- Professional fees: ~₹5,000
- Total: ₹12,700
If the same company were registered in Karnataka, the total would be around ₹21,000. The main difference is stamp duty, which is approximately ₹10,020 in Karnataka compared with ₹1,710 in Delhi for authorized capital of up to ₹15 lakh.
For a quicker estimate, use the Company Incorporation Fees Calculator, which factors in your entity type, state, capital, and number of directors or partners.
Recurring Costs After Successful Registration of Company
Company registration is a one-time expense, but you will incur ongoing costs for compliance, accounting, and other statutory requirements. These include:
- Accounting and bookkeeping: ₹1,000–₹10,000 per month, depending on transaction volume.
- Annual ROC filings (AOC-4 and MGT-7): ₹5,000–₹15,000 per year, including professional fees.
- Statutory audit: ₹10,000–₹50,000 per year, depending on the company’s size and turnover. Every company must undergo a statutory audit.
- Income tax return and tax audit: ₹5,000–₹25,000 per year, where applicable.
- GST returns: ₹500–₹2,000 per month for monthly or quarterly filings, plus the annual return where applicable.
- DSC renewal: Around ₹2,500 per certificate when it expires, typically every 1–3 years.
- Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC): Around ₹500–₹1,000 per director when using professional assistance.
Overall, a small company may spend around ₹25,000–₹75,000 per year on accounting and compliance, separate from its initial registration cost.
Immediate Post-Registration Costs
Some expenses arise soon after incorporation. While they are not part of the registration fee, you may need to pay them within the first few weeks or months of starting operations:
- INC-20A (Commencement of Business): A ₹200 government filing fee applies. You must file it within 180 days of incorporation before the company can commence business or exercise borrowing powers.
- GST registration: The government does not charge a fee for GST registration. Professional assistance typically costs ₹1,000–₹2,000. Registration becomes mandatory when you meet the applicable threshold or fall under compulsory registration rules.
- Current bank account: Banks may require a minimum balance, often ₹5,000–₹25,000, which can tie up part of your working capital.
- Professional tax registration: States that levy professional tax, such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, may require registration or enrolment. Applicable fees vary by state.
- Other licenses: You may need a Shop and Establishment registration or a sector-specific license based on your business activity and location.
Tips to Avoid Unnecessary Registration Costs
Follow these tips to avoid additional costs during incorporation:
- Set authorized capital carefully: MCA filing fees remain nil up to ₹15 lakh of authorized capital.
- Check name availability first: A rejected name may require another ₹1,000 name reservation application.
- Submit accurate documents: Errors or mismatches can lead to queries, corrections, or re-filing.
- Check what your quote includes: Confirm whether the advertised price covers government fees and stamp duty or only professional fees.
- Compare service packages: Check what each provider includes before choosing the lowest-priced option.
- Get DSCs only when needed: The number of directors and subscribers requiring DSCs affects the total cost.
- Check state stamp duty: Stamp duty varies by state, so consider this cost when planning your registered office.
- Avoid unnecessary capital: Set authorized capital based on your business needs rather than choosing a higher amount without a reason.
- Plan post-incorporation costs: Budget separately for INC-20A, GST, accounting, audit, and annual compliance.
