A Sole Proprietorship is the simplest business structure in India, owned and run by a single individual with no separate legal entity. GST registration, an Udyam/MSME certificate, and a Shop & Establishment licence are required to operate legally and open a business bank account.

You will need Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, recent passport-size photographs, business address proof (utility bill, rent agreement, or property papers), and bank account details.

Udyam (MSME) registration is instant, same-day digital certificate. GST registration takes 3 to 7 working days. Shop & Establishment licence takes 10 to 20 days depending on the state.

GST registration is mandatory if your annual turnover exceeds £20 lakh for service providers or £40 lakh for goods suppliers. If you sell online via Amazon, Flipkart, or Meesho, GST is required regardless of turnover.

Key annual compliance includes ITR-3 or ITR-4 filing, monthly or quarterly GST returns (GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B) if GST registered, quarterly TDS returns if you employ staff, and advance tax payments if total tax exceeds £10,000 per year.

No, a Sole Proprietorship is available only to Indian residents. NRIs looking to do business in India should register a Private Limited Company or LLP under the FDI framework, which we also offer on this page.

No, there is no minimum capital requirement to start a Sole Proprietorship in India. You can begin with any amount you choose, making it the most affordable way to start a business in India.

No, the entire process is completed online. All document submissions and filings are handled digitally by our team. Your registration certificates and GST number are delivered straight to your email inbox.

A Partnership Firm is governed by the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, where two or more individuals share profits and losses based on a partnership deed. An unregistered firm cannot file legal suits or enforce contracts in court, so registration is strongly recommended.

A minimum of two partners is required. The maximum number of partners is 50 for a general business. All partners must be Indian residents. Foreign nationals cannot become partners in a Partnership Firm.

You will need a notarised Partnership Deed on stamp paper, Aadhaar Card and PAN Card of all partners, address proof of all partners, proof of registered office address, and passport-size photographs of all partners.

A Partnership Deed covers the firm name, nature of business, capital contribution by each partner, profit and loss sharing ratio, partner roles and responsibilities, dispute resolution process, and dissolution terms.

takes 5 to 7 working days with our support. Overall the process takes approximately 7 working days from start to certificate in hand.

A Partnership Firm is taxed at a flat 30% on its net profits. Partners also file personal income tax returns. If turnover exceeds £1 crore, a tax audit under the Income Tax Act is required.

Yes, you can convert a Partnership Firm to a Private Limited Company or LLP at any time. Our team handles the conversion process including new company registration and proper closure of the partnership firm.

No, the entire process can be completed online. All partners submit documents digitally. The deed is drafted, notarised, and filed on your behalf. Your Certificate of Registration is delivered via email.

An LLP is a body corporate governed by the LLP Act, 2008. Unlike a Partnership Firm, an LLP is a separate legal entity meaning partners are not personally liable for the firm's debts. Personal assets of partners are fully protected.

A minimum of two designated partners is required. There is no upper limit on the number of partners. At least one designated partner must be an Indian resident.

You will need PAN Cards, Aadhaar Cards and address proof for all designated partners, Digital Signature Certificate for each partner, proof of registered office address in India, and a draft LLP Agreement.

Yes, NRIs and foreign nationals can be partners in an Indian LLP. At least one designated partner must be an Indian resident. FDI is allowed in LLPs under the automatic route in most sectors.

An LLP must file Annual Return Form 11 within 60 days of the end of the financial year, and Statement of Accounts Form 8 within 30 days of six months after year end. Income tax return must also be filed annually.

An LLP cannot raise equity funding or issue shares to investors. It can raise debt through partner contributions and financial institutions. If you plan to raise venture capital, a Private Limited Company is the better choice.

The LLP Agreement governs the rights, duties, and profit-sharing ratio of all designated partners. It also covers capital contributions, decision-making, dispute resolution, and partner exit terms. Filing with MCA is mandatory.

LLP registration with MCA typically takes 7 to 10 working days, including DSC application, name reservation, FiLLiP form filing, and Certificate of Incorporation. The entire process is 100% online.

A Private Limited Company is incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 with limited liability protection, a separate legal identity, and the ability to raise investment. It is the most popular structure for startups, SMEs, and growth-focused businesses.

A minimum of 2 directors and 2 shareholders are required. The maximum number of shareholders is 200. All directors must obtain a DIN and at least one director must be an Indian resident.

You will need PAN Cards, Aadhaar Cards, address proof and passport-size photographs for all directors and shareholders, proof of registered office address in India, DSC for all directors, and a draft MOA and AOA.

Yes, NRIs and foreign nationals can be directors in an Indian Private Limited Company. At least one director must be an Indian resident. FDI is allowed under the automatic route in most sectors.

Annual compliance includes filing AOC-4 (Financial Statements) and MGT-7 (Annual Return) with MCA, income tax return filing, GST returns if applicable, TDS returns quarterly, and holding AGM within 6 months of the financial year end.

Yes, a Private Limited Company can raise equity funding by issuing shares to angel investors and venture capitalists. It is the most investor-friendly structure in India.

The process typically takes 7 to 10 working days, including DSC application, name reservation, SPICe+ filing, and MCA approval. The Certificate of Incorporation, PAN, and TAN are issued together. Entire process is 100% online.

No, the entire process is completed online. All document submissions and filings are handled digitally. Your Certificate of Incorporation and all company documents are delivered via email.

A Public Limited Company can offer its shares to the general public and list on a stock exchange. Unlike a Private Limited Company, it has no restriction on share transfer. It requires a minimum of 7 shareholders and 3 directors, with significantly higher compliance requirements.

There is no mandatory minimum paid-up capital under the Companies Act, 2013. However, to list on a stock exchange, a minimum paid-up capital of £10 crore is required. For SME listing on BSE SME or NSE Emerge, the minimum is £1 crore.

You will need PAN Cards, Aadhaar Cards, address proof for all 7 subscribers and 3 directors, DSC for all directors, proof of registered office address, and a draft MOA and AOA prepared by a legal expert.

Yes, a statutory auditor must be appointed within 30 days of incorporation at the first board meeting. The auditor is responsible for auditing annual financial statements and the appointment must be filed with MCA.

Annual compliance includes AOC-4 and MGT-7 ROC filings, XBRL filing, AGM within 6 months of year end, statutory audit, income tax filing, TDS returns, and if listed, quarterly financial results submission to SEBI and stock exchanges.

Yes, FDI is allowed in a Public Limited Company under the automatic route in most sectors. Investments must comply with FEMA regulations and sector-specific FDI caps.

The MCA incorporation process takes 15 to 25 working days including name reservation, DIN and DSC applications, SPICe+ filing, and Certificate of Incorporation. Stock exchange listing is a separate process.

No, the entire incorporation process is completed online. All document submissions and MCA filings are handled digitally by our experts. Your Certificate of Incorporation is delivered via email.

A Producer Company is a special type of company under the Companies Act, 2013, formed by primary producers such as farmers, fishermen, artisans, or craftsmen. A minimum of 10 individual producers or 2 producer institutions are required.

Producer Companies benefit from tax exemptions on agricultural income, access to government grants and subsidies including NABARD and SFAC funding, collective bargaining power, limited liability protection, and access to formal credit and banking facilities.

You will need PAN Cards, Aadhaar Cards, address proof and photographs for all 5 directors and 10 member-producers, proof of registered office address, Digital Signature Certificates, and a specially drafted MOA and AOA for Producer Companies.

A Producer Company requires a minimum of 10 individual producers as founding members and a minimum of 5 directors on its board. There is no maximum limit on members. All members must be primary producers.

Yes, Producer Companies are eligible for the Government of India's 10,000 FPO scheme providing up to £18 lakh in matching equity grants, NABARD and SFAC funding, and priority lending from banks.

Annual compliance includes filing AOC-4 and MGT-7 with MCA, holding an Annual General Meeting, statutory audit by a Chartered Accountant, income tax return filing, and GST returns if turnover exceeds the threshold.

A Producer Company can carry out production, harvesting, procurement, grading, pooling, handling, marketing, selling, and export of primary produce. It can also provide education, technical assistance, credit facilities, and insurance services to its members.

The MCA incorporation process takes 15 to 20 working days, similar to a Private Limited Company. This includes DSC applications, name reservation, SPICe+ filing, and Certificate of Incorporation.

A One Person Company allows a single individual to incorporate and run a company with limited liability. Only a natural person who is an Indian citizen and resident in India (stayed 182 or more days in the previous year) can incorporate an OPC.

Both are single-owner structures but are very different legally. A Sole Proprietorship has unlimited personal liability. An OPC is a separate legal entity with limited liability, meaning personal assets are protected. An OPC also has far better credibility with banks, clients, and investors.

Every OPC must appoint a nominee at the time of incorporation. The nominee takes ownership of the OPC in the event of the owner's death or incapacity. A written consent letter from the nominee is submitted during registration.

You will need your PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, address proof, passport-size photograph, and Digital Signature Certificate. You also need the nominee's PAN, Aadhaar, address proof, photograph, and their signed consent letter.

Yes, an OPC can be voluntarily converted to a Private Limited Company after 2 years of incorporation. Conversion also becomes mandatory if the OPC's paid-up capital exceeds £50 lakh or annual turnover exceeds £2 crore.

Annual compliance includes filing AOC-4 and MGT-7 with MCA, holding Board Meetings at least once every 6 months, statutory audit, income tax return filing, and GST returns if turnover exceeds the threshold.

OPC registration through SPICe+ with MCA typically takes 7 to 10 working days, including DSC application, DIN, name reservation, and Certificate of Incorporation. The process is 100% online and no physical visit is required.

An Indian Subsidiary is an Indian Private Limited Company where a foreign company holds 50% or more of the shares. It is a separate legal entity incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013. A Branch Office is not a separate entity and has more activity restrictions. For full business operations in India, a Subsidiary Company is strongly recommended.

For a company to qualify as a subsidiary, the foreign parent must hold more than 50% of the total voting share capital. Most foreign companies incorporate an Indian Subsidiary with 100% FDI ownership, permitted under the automatic route in most sectors.

You will need a Certificate of Incorporation of the parent company (apostilled), Memorandum & Articles of Association (apostilled), board resolution authorising formation of the Indian Subsidiary, notarised passports for all foreign directors, and proof of registered office address in India.

Apostille is an international certification verifying the authenticity of documents from one country for use in another. All foreign company and director documents must be apostilled by the competent authority in the home country before Indian authorities can accept them.

FC-GPR is a mandatory filing with the Reserve Bank of India within 30 days of the allotment of shares to a foreign investor. It reports the FDI received by the Indian Subsidiary. Failure to file FC-GPR on time attracts penalties under FEMA regulations.

Most sectors allow 100% FDI under the automatic route. Sectors with restrictions include defence, multi-brand retail trading, broadcasting, print media, and certain agricultural activities. Our team verifies your specific sector before proceeding.

Annual compliance includes ROC filings (AOC-4 and MGT-7), RBI annual return (FLA), income tax filing, transfer pricing documentation if applicable, statutory audit, GST returns, TDS returns, and FEMA compliance reporting.

The process typically takes 12 to 15 working days, including apostilled document collection, DSC and DIN applications for foreign directors, MCA SPICe+ filing, and Certificate of Incorporation. Timeline can vary based on apostilling speed in the home country.