Services · Company formation
Company registration in India in 2026
A private limited company through the SPICe+ integrated form: 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, corporate tax from 22%. We handle documents, director and registration turnkey.
India is the world's most populous market and one of the fastest-growing economies: IT and software, manufacturing, pharma, trade and services. Foreigners set up companies here for the domestic market, service centres and export manufacturing. Registration is done online with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) through the SPICe+ integrated form, which issues the company number, tax numbers and fund registrations at once.
Dollar amounts below use the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, about ₹96.3 per dollar, rounded up. A lakh is an Indian unit of 100,000 rupees.
Which company to set up in India
- Private limited company - the main form for foreign investors. At least two directors and two shareholders, no minimum capital.
- One person company - only for Indian citizens and residents.
- Limited liability partnership - for professional services; foreign participation is not allowed in every sector.
- Branch, liaison or project office of a foreign company - with approval of an authorised dealer bank and in some cases the Reserve Bank of India.
In most sectors foreigners can own 100% under the automatic route without separate approval. Some sectors have caps or need government approval, and investors from countries sharing a land border with India always need government approval.
Resident director
Under the Companies Act 2013 at least one director of every Indian company must have stayed in India for at least 182 days in the previous calendar year. Citizenship does not matter. If no owner qualifies, a local director is needed. This is the key issue for a foreign founder, and we settle it in advance.
How to register a company in India: steps
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Directors' digital signatures | a digital signature certificate for each director and signatory | 1-3 days |
| 2. Name | name reservation in Part A of SPICe+ | 2-5 days |
| 3. Foreigners' documents | founders' passports and addresses with apostille or consular legalisation | 1-2 weeks |
| 4. SPICe+ filing | memorandum and articles, director numbers, company PAN and TAN, EPFO and ESIC registration, bank account application | 5-10 working days |
| 5. Commencement of business | paying in capital and filing the commencement declaration within 180 days | after the account opens |
| 6. Foreign investment report | reporting to the Reserve Bank of India via the authorised bank within 30 days of share allotment (FC-GPR) | within 30 days |
Within 30 days of incorporation the company appoints an auditor: audit is mandatory for all companies in India.
How much it costs to open a company in India in 2026
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| MCA fee for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh | none |
| Name reservation | ₹1,000, ~$11 |
| Stamp duty on the memorandum and articles | depends on the state and capital |
| Directors' digital signatures | a small certifying authority fee |
| Minimum capital | none |
Government costs in India are small: the main costs are a resident director if needed, document legalisation, the accountant and auditor. Our turnkey packages are in the price table below.
No state fee, but no registration without a resident director
The law does not stop you from registering a company on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: no director who spent 182 days in India last year, foreign documents without an apostille or with mismatched addresses, a sector that needs government approval, a missed 30-day foreign investment report, an auditor not appointed within the first 30 days. Murblz support removes these risks: we solve the resident director question in advance, check the sector and ownership limits, legalise documents and handle registration through the single form, the Reserve Bank report and the auditor appointment. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
Company registration in India with our support starts from $19,400; a manager will calculate the total in the chat.
What taxes a company pays in India
- Corporate income tax - 22% under the concessional regime without most deductions, about 25.17% including surcharge and cess.
- GST - from 22 September 2025 two main rates, 5% and 18%, and 40% for certain goods. Registration is mandatory from ₹40 lakh, about $41,600, of turnover for goods and ₹20 lakh, about $20,800, for services, and immediately for some cases such as interstate supplies.
- Dividends are taxed in the recipient's hands, with withholding for a foreign shareholder at the statutory or treaty rate.
Each year the company files audited accounts and an annual return with the MCA, an income tax return and GST returns.
Why registration gets delayed
- No director who spent 182 days in India last year.
- Foreigners' documents lack an apostille or have address mismatches.
- The name is rejected as similar to an existing one.
- The sector needs government approval or a founder is from a neighbouring country.
- The foreign investment report was not filed within 30 days.
What we do
We check the sector against foreign investment rules, provide a resident director if needed, obtain digital signatures, reserve the name, prepare the memorandum, articles and SPICe+ filing, legalise foreigners' documents, open the bank account, file the foreign investment report and commencement declaration, and appoint the auditor. After that we keep the books, GST and annual filings. Prices for each service are in the table below.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Company registration (Base package) | $19 400 |
| Company registration (Package with nominee service) | $19 400 |
| Company registration (Package with bank pre-approval) | $20 700 |
We will calculate online the cost of registering and running your company for the first year.
See also
Business account · Personal account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
How much does company registration in India cost?
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in India?
Is a resident director required?
How long does registration take?
What taxes does a company pay in India?
What must be done after registration?
Want to open a company in India?
We choose the Indian company form under the foreign investment rules, arrange a resident director, register it and help with tax numbers and the account. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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