Public Limited Company Registration Online - PLC Company
Public limited company registration allows you to raise funds directly from the public, build greater trust, and protect your personal assets under the Companies Act, 2013. Registration is made easy with online processing through the MCA portal. Incorporate your public limited company in 7-10 working days with JustStart and get end-to-end digital assistance.
- 7-10 Working Days
- 3 Directors Minimum
- 7 Shareholders Minimum
- No Personal Liability
- 📈 Unlimited Fundraising
EVERYTHING INCLUDED IN YOUR Public limited company REGISTRATION PACKAGE
- Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)
- Director Identification Number (DIN)
- Name Reservation (SPICe+ Part A)
- Draft MOA and AOA
- PAN Card & TAN Issuance
- Declaration for Business Commencement
- Post-Incorporation Compliance
- Certificate of Incorporation
Request a Callback
4.9 star all time rating
4.8 star all time rating
OVERVIEW
What is Public Limited Company?
A public limited company in India is a business structure that is governed under the Companies Act, 2013 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Unlike a private limited company, a public limited company (PLC) can offer its shares to the general public. The primary legislation, Section 2(71) of the Companies Act, 2013, governs the PLC framework and clarifies that the company name must end with the words "Limited".
The legal framework of a Public Limited Company (PLC) protects the personal assets of shareholders, as they are only responsible for corporate debts up to the specific amount they invested. A PLC can raise capital in greater quantity, but it has to disclose its financial statements to the public. Meanwhile, a Public Limited Company (PLC) is generally categorized into two parts: a listed public company and an unlisted public company.
Eligibility
What are the Eligibility Criteria for a PLC?
In order to register a Public Limited Company in India (PLC), certain eligibility criteria must first be fulfilled by the applicants. These are some of the core pre-conditions to be fulfilled so that the application for Public Limited Company registration can start.
Minimum Shareholders
A Public Limited Company can start with a minimum of 7 shareholders; there is no limit to the maximum number of shareholders. The shareholders can be either an individual citizen or a legal entity.
Minimum Directors
A company must have a minimum of 3 directors and a maximum of 15 directors. One of the directors must be a resident Indian.
DIN & DSC
All board members should have a valid Class 3 DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) and DIN (Director Identification Number).
Minimum Paid-Up Capital Requirement
By law, there is no minimum paid-up capital requirement for a PLC registration; you can start with any nominal amount.
Company Name
The name of the company should end with 'Ltd' or 'Limited' as per MCA rules.
Registered Office in India
A public limited company must have a registered office with a proper address in India.
Benefits
Benefits of Public Limited Company Registration
A legally registered Public limited company enjoys various benefits.
Limited Liability Protection
The PLC framework protects shareholders' assets from the liabilities of the company, such as property, cars, and income.
Preference for Institutional Investment
Institutional investors, including private equity funds and venture capitalists, are likely to invest in a PLC due to its well-established governance and exit policies.
Capital Raising Potential
Due to its ability to issue shares to the public, the PLC can be much more successful in raising funds in the form of shares once it completes the process of listing on a stock exchange.
Share Transferability Without Restrictions
In accordance with the corporate laws of India, the shares of a PLC can be transferred as desired. This implies that a PLC can freely barter, trade, or donate its shares without any permission from its shareholders.
Building of Trust and Transparency
A registered public limited company has to comply with strict legal requirements that are imposed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and SEBI, especially in the case of companies that get themselves listed.
Perpetual Succession
A PLC is an independent legal entity and is separate from its owners and its directors. This means that it may own assets, take loans, and enter into legal contracts and so on.
Difference
Public Limited Company: Listed vs Unlisted
By law, a legally incorporated PLC in India is allowed to issue its shares to the general public. However, it doesn’t mean that it cannot trade its shares on a stock exchange directly. That’s where the role of a listed PLC and an unlisted PLC plays a major role.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Process
Complete Public Limited Registration Process
The process of registering a public limited company is conducted digitally through the MCA V3 portal via the SPICe+ web form. PLC filing is performed following this guide:
_1731239502.png)
Step 1: Secure Class 3 DSC
Every proposed director and signatory of the company is required to obtain a Class 3 DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) for electronically signing their application forms on the MCA portal.
Step 2: Reserve Company Name
The step for reserving the company name consists of submitting SPICe+ Part A on the MCA portal. It is important to verify that the name is not similar to any trademark before reservation, along with submitting at least two names along with the business activity.
Step 3: Draft Incorporation Documents
This part involves preparing key incorporation documents like MOA and AOA (Table F) along with obtaining the required consent and declarations.
Step 4: Filing SPICe+ Part B
You may use a single SPICe+ Part B web form to apply for a number of registrations. You can apply for documents such as Director Identification Number (DIN) for up to three directors, Permanent Account Number (PAN), Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN), EPFO and ESIC registrations (which are necessary), and opening a bank account (AGILE-PRO-S), etc.
Step 5:Get Certificate of Incorporation (COI)
Once the documents are fully verified, the Registrar of Companies (ROC) shall approve and issue the Certificate of Incorporation (COI), featuring the Corporate Identification Number (CIN).
Step 6: Filing INC-20A
This is a crucial step that has to take place after the Public Limited Company Incorporation (PLC). The filing of form INC-20A needs to happen within 180 days of the PLC. This filing needs to state that the shareholders have deposited the share capital into the bank account.
Required Documents
Documents Required for Public Limited Company Registration
Directors are required to upload their KYC documents on the MCA portal along with the SPICe+ Filing form. The following documents need to be submitted for registration:
Indian Directors & Shareholders Documents
- PAN Card: An important document for verifying the identity of the directors and shareholders.
- Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving license, or passport for identity proof (any one is required).
- Address Proof: Submit a utility bill such as a bank statement, Electricity bill, Telephone/mobile bill, or Bank passbook with the latest transaction (must not be older than 2 months).
- Passport-size Photographs: Director’s and shareholder’s passport-size photos must be clear (in JPEG format) for e-form filing.
Foreign Nationals / NRI Directors or Shareholders Documents
- Passport (Mandatory): A passport is mandatory for directors of NRI or foreign nationality.
- Visa Copy: If the foreign director is already in India, then the director's visa copy is a must for signing and registration of the public company.
- Address Proof: To have proof of address, the latest bank statement or utility bill must show the current address.
- Photographs: To register online, the latest passport-sized photos should be in JPEG format.
- Apostille/ Notarization: All documents must first be stamped by the local notary public office and then apostilled in the country of issue. But, in countries where the Hague Apostille Convention is not applicable, the documentation must be done by the Indian consulate. If the foreign national/NRI person signs while being in India, then notarization by the Indian notary is enough.
- DSC/ DIN: A foreign national must obtain a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate. DIN (Director Identification Number) separately; otherwise, you can apply via the SPICe+ web form.
Incorporation and Company Documents
- DSC (Digital Signature Certificate): All prospective directors need to acquire a Class 3 DSC so that forms can be e-signed on the MCA platform.
- DIN (Director Identification Number): DIN (Director Identification Number) is an identification number with a length of eight characters allocated to the individuals who become directors in the company.
- MOA (Memorandum of Association): The MOA is the main document that outlines the aim of the company, its tasks, and limitations of its activities.
- AOA (Articles of Association): The document describes the rules of the company being responsible for the management and practical day-to-day running of the company.
- Form DIR-2: The document in the form of a consent letter signed by each of the future directors showing their agreement to serve as a director for the company.
- INC-9 (Declaration): A declaration made by the first director of the company and subscriber to the Memorandum of Association stating the fact of its legality and absence of any wrongdoings by the new subscribers to the company for the past five years.
Registered Office Documents
🔸Own the Property
If you own your property, present the sale deed/property tax receipt along with a utility bill (Electricity Bill and Gas Bill).
🔸You Are a Renter
If you are using rented premises, you will need to provide a lease/rent agreement, a utility bill for the rented premises (water/gas/electricity bill), and an NOC (No Objection Certificate).
🔸You Are Using Premises Free of Cost
In case you are using the space of an acquaintance, let’s say, given by a director or someone associated with the family without a rental agreement, you will need to submit the latest utility bill in the name of the landlord/owner and an NOC.
Having the correct and complete documents required for public limited company is crucial to avoiding MCA rejections/remarks. For easy and error-free filing, see our complete document checklist for Public Limited Company Registration.
Cost & Timeline
Cost & Timeline of Public Limited Company Registration
The cost for a public limited company typically depends on government, statutory, and professional fees. Here is the complete breakdown of costs associated with a Public Limited Company in India:
|
Category |
Estimated Cost (INR) |
|
Company Name Approval |
₹1,000 |
|
PAN & TAN Application |
₹150 - ₹450 |
|
Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) |
₹1,000 - ₹2,000 per director |
|
State Stamp Duty (MoA & AoA) |
₹2,000 - ₹20,000 |
|
Professional Fees |
₹15,000 - ₹50,000 |
Timeline for PLC Registration in India
The time required for the government processing of a PLC, in general, is between 15 and 25 days, but it can take more time when serious errors are present in the provided papers. In many cases, delays in the application are due to mistakes related to address proof or the company name being rejected due to trademark issues.
Note: The fee slab for SPICe+ and PAN/TAN changes periodically; must verify against the MCA rules as per the relevant year.
Compliance
Post-Incorporation Compliance for PLC in India
According to the provisions of the Companies Act, Public Limited Companies, after incorporation, have to undergo various compliance formalities within the requisite time frame of 30-60 days. The following is the complete checklist for public limited companies in India.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why Choose JustStart?
Why Register Your Public Limited Company with JustStart?
JustStart has simplified the Public Limited Company registration process by managing legal compliance, documentation end-to-end, and statutory filings. Here are the primary reasons why you should choose JustStart for PLC registration in India:
Complete Legal & MCA Compliance
Our dedicated CA/CS handles the complete registration process from applying for company name reservation on the MCA V3 portal to filing the integrated SPICe+ web form. Further, we handle the DSC approval and draft the MOA/AOA for your company.
Transparent Pricing
We offer clear charges with no hidden charges, as our motive is to maintain accuracy throughout the statutory filings, state stamp duties, and professional fees.
Document Verification for Faster Approval
As per the MCA’s guidelines, our professional experts verify the optimized documents to ensure accuracy and correctness. So that you get the COI (Certificate of Incorporation), DIN, and TAN without any challenges.
Tailored Business Guidance
As being our client, you get complete professional support to understand authorized share capital, drafting, and compliance governance documents, ensuring that your newly incorporated PLC meets all compliance formalities from day one.
Post-Incorporation Support
You get continued post-incorporation support such as preparing the documents for opening a current bank account, filing Form INC-20A, GST registration, and managing the ongoing audits.
Locations
Public Limited Company Registration in Other States and Cities
FAQs
LET'S CLEAR ALL THE DOUBTS!
A public limited company is a business entity that offers its shares to the general public, also known as shareholders.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
- Delhi Transco Limited (DTL).
- Hindustan Corporation Petroleum Limited.
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
- McDonald's
Here are some advantages of public limited company-
- Ease in capital funding
- More finance opportunities
- In the event of a financial loss, liabilities are limited
- Ease in share transferability
- Growth and expansion opportunities
Public limited companies have certain features that allow individuals to easily distinguish them from other business entities. PLCs are:
- Led by shareholders and managed by a board of directors.
- They have longer life spans.
- It has unlimited shareholders.
- Can offer their shares for sale.
- Has a minimum of three directors.
- Can frame its own articles of association.
- It can invite the public to subscribe to its shares.
Public limited companies can be registered online by submitting required documents to the Registry Office, facilitated by the online portal of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It can be done by hiring an experienced and reliable Online Public Limited Company Registration Consultancy Services.
Any individual or organisation looking to establish a public limited company (PLC) firm must provide a list of documents, such as PAN cards, identity proof, registered address proof, etc. These documents must be supplemented by other forms, such as SPICe Part b, SPICe MOA, SPICe AOA, 9 Agile Pro, and INC-9.
Anyone looking for public limited company registration in India must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- At least three directors are required.
- Have all directors' DINs.
- Minimum number of seven shareholders
- Digital Signature Certificate of director and shareholder
- should fulfil objective clauses as laid down by the MCA.
- Step 1: Complete the form
- Step 2: Obtaining a Digital Signature Certificate and Director Identification Number.
- Step 3: Obtaining company name verification and approval
- Step 4: Completing the SPICe Form
- Step 5: Document Submission
- Step 6: Acquiring the company's incorporation certificate
- Step 7: Open an active account in the name of the company
No, there is no minimum capital required to register a public company under the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015. But most founders fund an initial paid-up capital (typically ₹1 lakh to ₹5 Lakhs or more) to cover the operational expenses.
PLCs can evolve into IPO companies over time. However, they need to meet certain compliance as laid down by SEBI and complete other regulations.
Yes, a Public limited company in India is legally allowed to raise Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). However, it is subject to meet the specific setor-specific caps and regulatory formalities.
Watch our video for more information (Foreign Direct Investment)-
No, a public limited company does not have to be listed on a stock exchange. However, it can exist indefinitely as an unlisted Public Limited company.
Yes, an unlisted Public Limited company can be converted into an IPO-ready company as it is a standard progression for scaling up a business. But the company is required to meet SEBI and stock exchange eligibility criteria.
The cost to register a public limited company generally lies between ₹15,000 and ₹50,000. The exact cost will depend on the specific agency, services offered, and authorized capital.
If all the documents are accurate and in order, then the Public Limited Company registration process typically takes 10-15 working days only. However, if any query is raised by the ROC, then the timeline can be extended.
It is mandatory to file the INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation. However, missing this mandatory requirement results in a hefty financial penalty, including seizure of your business operations or possible removal of the company name by the Registrar of Companies (ROC).
