MCA Forms: A Complete Guide for Indian Businesses in 2025

Starting a business in India is exciting, but it’s also full of paperwork, rules, and filings that can make or break your entrepreneurial journey. The MCA forms issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) aren’t just routine documents; they’re the legal backbone of your company’s identity, compliance, and credibility.

From reserving your company’s name to appointing directors, declaring the commencement of business, or filing annual returns, every key step in a company’s lifecycle runs through an MCA form. Yet, many entrepreneurs underestimate their importance until they face penalties, delays, or even a freeze on business operations due to a simple filing error.

Knowing exactly which form to file and when can save you time, money, and unnecessary legal trouble. In this guide, we’ll decode the most important MCA forms, including SPICe+, RUN, DIR-3, INC-22, and more, so you can manage company registration and compliance in India with confidence and clarity.

Which MCA Forms are Needed for Company Filings?

To run a business legally in India, companies must file certain MCA forms. These forms cover incorporation, director details, auditor appointments, and other relevant matters. Filing them correctly ensures smooth compliance and avoids penalties.

1. Incorporation & Registration MCA Forms

These forms are required when you are starting a new company or registering a foreign company. They help the MCA know all essential details about your business from the beginning.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
SPICe+ (INC-32)	Company incorporation (Part A: name reservation, Part B: incorporation)	Companies
INC-9	Declaration by subscribers and first directors	Companies
INC-22	Notice of situation or change of registered office	Companies
FC-1	Information to be filed by a foreign company	Foreign Companies
FC-2	Return of changes in documents filed for registration by a foreign company	Foreign Companies
AGILE-PRO-S	Linked with SPICe+ for statutory registrations (EPFO, ESIC, GST, and bank).	Companies
RUN	Applied for company name reservation, now optional	Companies

2. Director Identification & KYC MCA Forms

These forms are required for company directors. They help MCA maintain accurate records of directors and ensure that all directors complete their KYC.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
DIR-3	Application for Director Identification Number (DIN)	Individuals
DIR-6	Intimation of change in DIN details	Individuals
DIR-3 KYC	KYC of directors holding DIN	Individuals
DIR-2	Consent to act as a Director of a company	Individuals

3. Director & Auditor Appointments/Changes MCA Forms

These forms are filed whenever there is a change in company management or auditors. They keep MCA updated about who is managing or auditing the company.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
DIR-12	Appointment, resignation, or change of directors	Companies
ADT-1	Appointment of auditor	Companies
ADT-3	Resignation of auditor	Companies

4. Annual Compliance Filings MCA Forms

These forms are filed every year to keep the company or LLP compliant with MCA regulations. They include financial statements, annual returns, and solvency reports.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
INC-20A	Declaration for Commencement of Business	Companies
AOC-4	Filing of financial statements	Companies
MGT-7	Filing of annual return	Companies
MGT-7A	Annual return for small companies and OPCs	Small Companies, OPCs
LLP Form 8	Statement of Account & Solvency	LLPs
LLP Form 11	Annual Return of LLP	LLPs
FC-3	Annual accounts and list of places of business in India	Foreign Companies

Note: Companies registered under XBRL (such as listed or large companies) must file their financial statements using AOC-4 XBRL instead of the standard AOC-4 form.

5. Resolutions & Share Capital Related Filings MCA Forms

These forms are needed whenever there is a resolution passed or a change in share capital. They help MCA track important decisions made by the company.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
MGT-14	Filing of resolutions and agreements	Companies
PAS-3	Return of allotment of shares	Companies
SH-7	Notice of alteration in share capital	Companies

6. Charges and Debentures MCA Forms

These forms are filed when a company creates, modifies, or clears charges or debentures. They maintain transparency in financial dealings.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
CHG-1	Creation or modification of a charge	Companies
CHG-4	Satisfaction of charge	Companies
CHG-9	Creation or modification of a charge for debentures	Companies

7. Cost Audit MCA Forms

These forms are used to appoint cost auditors and file cost audit reports. They help the company meet legal requirements for cost accounting.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
CRA-2	Appointment of a cost auditor	Companies
CRA-4	Filing of the cost audit report	Companies

8. Dormant / Strike-Off Filings MCA Forms

These forms are filed when a company or LLP wants to become dormant or be removed from the register.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
MSC-1	Application for obtaining dormant status	Companies
MSC-3	Return of a dormant company	Dormant Companies
STK-2	Application for striking off the company	Companies
STK-7	Notice of striking off by Registrar	Companies
LLP Form 24	Application for striking off LLP	LLPs

9. Foreign Company Filings MCA Forms

These forms are used by foreign companies operating in India to maintain legal compliance and report business activities.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
FC-1	Information to be filed by a foreign company	Foreign Companies
FC-2	Return of alteration in documents filed for registration	Foreign Companies
FC-3	Annual accounts and places of business in India	Foreign Companies

10. LLP Agreements MCA Forms

These forms are filed to submit information about LLP agreements with the MCA.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
LLP Form 3	Information regarding the LLP agreement	LLPs
FiLLiP Form	LLP incorporation form	LLPs

11. Significant Beneficial Ownership (SBO) Filings

Companies are required to disclose details of individuals who hold Significant Beneficial Ownership (SBO), i.e., those who ultimately own, control, or have a substantial interest in the company.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
BEN-1	Declaration by the beneficial owner specifying their interest in the company	Individuals
BEN-2	Return of significant beneficial owners and their details to the Registrar	Companies

12. Miscellaneous Filings MCA Forms

These forms cover other filings that don’t fit into regular categories, such as court orders, appeals, or fee refunds.

Form No.	Purpose	Applicable Entity
GNL-1	Application to Registrar for miscellaneous matters	Companies
GNL-2	Submission of documents to the Registrar	Companies
GNL-3	Intimation of orders of the court or tribunal	Companies
Form ADJ	Memorandum of Appeal	Companies / LLPs
Form Refund	Application for refund of fees paid	Companies / LLPs

Avoid penalties and stay compliant with expert help from RegisterKaro. From company incorporation to annual filings and director updates, we handle all MCA forms, SPICe+, AOC-4, MGT-7, DIR-12, ADT-1, and more.

Contact RegisterKaro today for quick, accurate, and stress-free MCA compliance!

Top MCA Forms You Should Know About

The MCA has introduced several e-forms to simplify business filings and compliance. Here are some of the most important MCA forms every business owner and professional should know about:

1. Form MGT-14

Form MGT-14 is used to file resolutions and agreements with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Companies must file this form when they pass certain board or special resolutions, such as approving the financial statements, changing the registered office, or altering the Articles or Memorandum of Association.

It ensures the transparency and legal validity of corporate decisions under Section 117 of the Companies Act, 2013. Check out how to file MGT-14 from this detailed guide and ensure smooth registration.

2. SPICe+ Form

When it comes to company registration in India, no form has transformed the process quite like the SPICe+ form (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating a Company Electronically Plus). Introduced by the MCA on 23rd February, this web-based form made business incorporation faster, simpler, and far more efficient by merging 10 essential government services into one integrated platform.

The form is divided into two parts- Part A for name reservation and Part B for incorporation and post-incorporation services. Learn how and why the SPICe+ form is the most crucial and time-saving registration form in existence.

3. LLP Form 11

LLP Form 11 is the Annual Return of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), which must be filed every year by all registered LLPs, regardless of their business activity or turnover. It provides details about the partners, their contributions, and any changes in the management. Filing this form on time (within 60 days from the end of the financial year) helps maintain the LLP’s active status and avoid penalties.

To get more information about how to file LLP Form 11, refer to our detailed blog.

4. LLP Form 24

LLP Form 24 is filed when a Limited Liability Partnership wants to close or strike off its name from the MCA records. This form allows dormant or non-operational LLPs to officially wind up their business and avoid future compliance obligations. It is a simple and cost-effective route for voluntary closure, provided the LLP has no outstanding liabilities or ongoing legal cases.

If you are planning to close a company, then accurately filing the LLP Form 24 is extremely crucial. It’s advisable to take expert assistance to submit this form.

5. Form 9 LLP

Form 9 for LLP is a crucial document filed during the incorporation of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in India. It serves as the consent of the designated partners to act in that capacity and confirms that they are not disqualified under the LLP Act, 2008.

Each designated partner must digitally sign Form 9 and attach it to the FiLLiP (Form for Incorporation of LLP) at the time of registration.

What are the Common Mistakes While Using MCA Forms and How Can You Avoid Them?

Starting a company is exciting, but even small mistakes in your MCA filings can lead to delays or rejections. Knowing the common pitfalls and how to prevent them can save you time, money, and stress.

1. Document & Data Mistakes

This is the most frequent cause of rejections. The information submitted must be accurate and consistent across all forms and documents.

• Incorrect MoA/AoA: Errors in the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA) are common. The MCA provides pre-filled templates, but any manual modifications or errors in a company’s business objects, capital clauses, or other details may result in rejection. It’s essential to draft these documents carefully and ensure they are error-free.
• Wrong Capital Details: Providing incorrect information about a company’s authorized and paid-up share capital can cause issues. Overstating capital can lead to higher stamp duty costs, while understating it can create operational difficulties later on.
• Mismatched Personal Details: Any inconsistency in the name, address, or other details of directors and subscribers across their identity documents (like Aadhaar, PAN) and the forms can result in rejection. Always cross-verify all personal information.

2. Failure to File INC-22

The INC-22 form is a common point of confusion. If the registered office differs from the correspondence address in SPICe+, file a separate INC-22 form. Failure to file INC-22 within 30 days of incorporation will lead to non-compliance.

3. Name Reservation Expiry

The name reservation obtained through SPICe+ Part A or the RUN service is valid for a limited period. If companies do not file the complete incorporation forms within this timeframe (usually 20 days), the authorities release the name, and companies must start the name reservation process from the beginning. It’s vital to have all your documents ready before you apply for a name reservation.

4. Resubmission Limits

The MCA has a strict resubmission policy for forms. SPICe+ applicants can resubmit their application a limited number of times (typically two). If authorities reject it more than this, companies must restart the entire process and pay all government fees again. This makes it critical to submit a perfect application from the very first attempt.

5. Using Professional Services

The complexity of legal documentation, coupled with the strict resubmission limits and the technical nature of the MCA portal (mca.gov.in), can be overwhelming for first-time entrepreneurs. A single clerical error can lead to a long and frustrating delay. To mitigate these risks, many businesses opt for professional services from Registerkaro, CAs, and CS. These experts can:

• Ensure all documents are drafted correctly and are in the prescribed format.
• Conduct a thorough check of all forms before submission.
• Manage the entire filing process and handle any queries from the MCA.
• Provide timely advice on post-incorporation compliance, which is just as important as the registration itself.

SPICe+ has transformed company registration in India into a streamlined, one-stop process. By combining multiple steps, DIN allotment, PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, MoA/AoA submission, and even bank account facilitation, into a single online platform, it has replaced the older, cumbersome multi-form system, making incorporation faster, easier, and less error-prone.

Use Part A (RUN) when you want to reserve a company name first. Use Part B for full incorporation along with linked registrations. Remember, additional forms like DIR-3 (for DIN) and INC-22 (for registered office changes) still apply in specific cases, so careful attention is necessary.

To avoid pitfalls, delays, and re-submissions, consider professional guidance or trusted platforms like RegisterKaro, which can handle your entire incorporation journey efficiently and ensure smooth compliance from start to finish.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are MCA forms, and why are they important?

Companies file MCA forms with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to register, comply with regulations, and report updates. They help the government maintain accurate corporate records and ensure that your business operates legally in India. Timely filing of these forms helps avoid penalties and legal complications.

2. How do I file the SPICe+ form MCA for company incorporation?

The SPICe+ form MCA (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically) allows entrepreneurs to register a company, allot DIN, and apply for PAN and TAN in one step. Users file the forms online through the MCA portal by entering all required details, uploading documents, and paying the prescribed fees.

3. What is the purpose of Form 32 MCA?

Companies earlier used Form 32 to notify the appointment or resignation of directors. They had to file it within 30 days of the change to stay compliant. However, Form DIR-12 under the Companies Act, 2013, has now replaced it.

4. When should I submit Form 11 MCA?

Form 11 MCA is the Annual Return for LLPs, not companies. Companies must file it every year to update information about partners, capital contributions, and management changes. Filing it on time helps maintain good compliance standing and prevents late fees.

5. Who uses Form 18 MCA, and for what purpose?

Companies previously used Form 18 MCA to notify changes in their registered office address within or outside the same state. Under the new system, they now use Form INC-22 to update the company’s official address in MCA records.

6. How is Form 20A MCA different from other forms?

Newly incorporated companies file Form 20A MCA as a declaration of commencement of business before starting operations. It confirms that the company has received its share capital and is mandatory to activate the company’s status. Non-filing can result in penalties or strike-off.

7. When do companies use Form INC-22 MCA, and for what purpose?

Companies use Form INC-22 to notify their registered office address. They must file it within 30 days of incorporation or whenever they change their registered office location. This ensures the MCA always has the company’s correct communication address.

8. How do I resign as a director using the Director Resignation Form MCA?

A director must submit Form DIR-11 (Director Resignation Form) to officially notify both the company and MCA about their resignation. The company must also file DIR-12 to update the change in its records. This process ensures transparency and compliance with MCA norms.

9. Where can I find a complete MCA forms list for companies and LLPs?

The complete MCA forms list is available on the MCA 21 portal, covering all forms for incorporation, annual filings, director changes, share capital, and compliance. The MCA prescribes separate forms for private limited companies and LLPs, ensuring clarity for each entity type.

10. When do companies use the RUN form MCA, and for what purpose?

Companies use the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) form to reserve a company name before incorporation. It ensures that the proposed name isn’t identical or similar to an existing entity. Once approved, companies must use the reserved name within a specific period while filing the SPICe+ form for incorporation.