Public Limited Company Registration in India
Incorporate a Public Limited Company with complete legal support — MCA name approval, MOA/AOA drafting, PAN & TAN, and statutory compliance, handled end to end by Mark Bureau. Built for large-scale operations and public fundraising.
- Name approval, DSC & DIN for all directors
- MOA/AOA drafting + Certificate of Incorporation
- PAN & TAN generated in the same SPICe+ filing
- Typical timeline: 10–15 working days
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What Is a Public Limited Company?
A Public Limited Company (PLC) is a business structure whose shares can be bought and sold by the general public, typically through a stock exchange. This makes it the most effective structure for raising large amounts of capital from a wide investor base.
Governed by the Companies Act, 2013, a PLC has a separate legal identity from its shareholders and directors. It's managed by a board of directors, with a CEO or managing director overseeing day-to-day operations — all accountable to shareholders and, if listed, to public markets and SEBI.
Listed vs unlisted public companies: listed public companies have shares traded on a recognised stock exchange such as the BSE or NSE, giving the public and institutional investors direct access to buy and sell. Unlisted public companies can still offer shares to the public — often through private placements — without listing on an exchange, sometimes to retain closer control over ownership.
Key Features of a Public Limited Company
- Limited liability — shareholders' financial risk is capped at their invested share value
- Superior access to capital — funds can be raised through equity and debt instruments on public markets
- Separate legal entity — the company can own property, contract, and sue or be sued independently
- Freely transferable shares — traded on stock exchanges, offering liquidity to investors
- Mandatory public disclosure — annual financial statements and key information must be published
- Prospectus requirement before offering shares to the public
- Minimum 7 shareholders, no upper limit
- Managed by a board of directors accountable to shareholders
- Company name must end with "Limited" or "Ltd."
- Subject to stricter regulatory compliance than private companies
Why Register a Public Limited Company?
Access to Public Capital
Raise substantial funds through IPOs and share issuance to a wide investor base.
Limited Liability Protection
Protects the personal assets of all shareholders and directors.
Enhanced Brand Credibility
A registered PLC carries stronger market reputation and institutional trust.
Perpetual Succession
The company continues despite changes in ownership or shareholding.
Attractive to Investors
Well suited to institutional investors and venture capital looking for scale.
Stock Exchange Eligibility
Eligible for listing on NSE and BSE, unlocking liquidity and visibility.
Minimum Requirements for Registration
| Requirement | Minimum Criteria |
|---|---|
| Directors | Minimum 3 directors |
| Shareholders | Minimum 7, no upper limit |
| Paid-up capital | No minimum, as per the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015 |
| DSC | Required for all directors |
| DIN | Required for all directors |
| Registered office | Must have a valid registered office address in India |
| MOA & AOA | Mandatory foundational documents for incorporation |
Eligibility Criteria
For Directors
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must hold a valid Director Identification Number (DIN)
- Must hold a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- At least one director must be a resident of India
- Must not be disqualified under Section 164 of the Companies Act, 2013
For Shareholders
- Minimum 7 shareholders required for incorporation
- Can be individuals, companies, or foreign nationals
- No restriction on the maximum number of shareholders
- Shares are freely transferable without restriction
Choosing the Right Company Name
- Must end with the word "Limited"
- Should not be identical or similar to an existing registered company name
- Should not contain prohibited or sensitive words without prior approval
- Must reflect the company's main business objective
- Should not violate any trademark or intellectual property rights
- Name approval is filed through SPICe+ Part A or the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) form
Documents Required for Registration
For Directors & Shareholders
- PAN card (mandatory for Indian nationals)
- Aadhaar card, passport or voter ID as identity proof
- Passport-size photographs
- Latest bank statement or utility bill as address proof
- Email ID and mobile number
For the Registered Office
- Electricity or water bill, not older than two months
- Rent agreement, if the premises are rented
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner
- Sale deed, if the property is owned
Key Incorporation Documents
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) — defines company objectives and scope
- Articles of Association (AOA) — defines internal governance and rules
- DSC and DIN of all proposed directors
- Declaration by first directors in Form INC-9
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Obtain Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for all proposed directors and subscribers.
Apply for Director Identification Numbers (DIN) for all directors via the SPICe+ form.
Check and reserve your company name through RUN or SPICe+ Part A on the MCA portal.
Draft the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA).
File the SPICe+ Form with all required documents on the MCA portal.
PAN and TAN are auto-generated along with SPICe+ filing.
Upon MCA approval, the Registrar of Companies issues the Certificate of Incorporation with your CIN.
Open a current bank account in the company's name.
Apply for GST registration, if applicable, and complete other statutory registrations.
Typical timeline: 10–15 working days with complete, accurate documentation.
Estimated Registration Timeline
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| DSC procurement | 1–2 working days |
| DIN application | 1–2 working days |
| Name approval (RUN/SPICe+) | 2–3 working days |
| MOA & AOA drafting | 1–2 working days |
| SPICe+ filing & MCA approval | 5–7 working days |
| Total estimated time | 10–15 working days |
Mark Bureau Fees for Public Limited Company Registration
Fees depend on authorised share capital, professional support required, and state-specific stamp duty. Here's an indicative breakdown.
| Fee Component | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DSC (per director) | ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 | 2-year validity, per certifying authority |
| DIN application | Included in SPICe+ | No separate charge |
| Name reservation (RUN) | ₹1,000 | Free if filed within SPICe+ Part A |
| MCA government fees | Based on authorised capital | Higher capital, higher fee slab |
| Stamp duty | Varies by state | State-specific, tied to authorised capital |
| Professional/service charges | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 | Drafting, filing and compliance support |
| Total estimated cost | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000+ | Excludes ongoing SEBI/listing costs |
*Actual costs vary based on authorised capital, state of incorporation, and the scope of professional services required.
Post-Incorporation Compliance
Immediate Compliances
- Open a current bank account in the company's name
- Issue share certificates to all shareholders within 60 days
- File Form INC-20A (Declaration of Commencement of Business) within 180 days
- Appoint a statutory auditor within 30 days of incorporation
- Display the company name and registered office address at business premises
Annual Compliance
- File annual returns (Form MGT-7) and financial statements (Form AOC-4) with the RoC
- Conduct a minimum of 4 board meetings per year
- Hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) within 6 months of the financial year end
- File income tax returns annually before the due date
- Maintain statutory registers and books of accounts as prescribed
- Complete director KYC via Form DIR-3 KYC annually to keep DIN active
Once issued, the Certificate of Incorporation is permanent and never expires — but failing annual compliance can lead to heavy fines, director disqualification, and the company's name being struck off the register.
Additional Regulation for Listed Public Companies
If your Public Limited Company lists on a stock exchange like the BSE or NSE, it becomes subject to SEBI regulation in addition to the Companies Act, including:
- SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 — corporate governance norms, independent directors, timely disclosure of material events
- SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 — governs IPOs, FPOs and rights issues
- SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 — restricts trading on unpublished price-sensitive information
- SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011 — governs changes in control and acquisitions
- SEBI (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018 — governs dematerialisation of shares
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Access to substantial capital through public share issuance
- Limited liability protects shareholders' personal assets
- Enhanced credibility and prestige from stock exchange listing
- Freely tradable shares offer liquidity to investors
- Ability to attract top talent through ESOPs
- Stronger growth and expansion opportunities through large-scale fundraising
- Potential for economies of scale at larger operating volumes
Disadvantages
- High setup and ongoing compliance costs
- Constant regulatory scrutiny from the MCA and SEBI
- Founders face dilution and potential loss of control
- Continuous public and media scrutiny of company performance
- Share price volatility tied to market sentiment
- Pressure toward short-term results over long-term strategy
- More complex management structure and investor relations
Public Limited Company vs Private Limited Company
| Parameter | Public Limited Company | Private Limited Company |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum shareholders | 7 | 2 |
| Maximum shareholders | Unlimited | 200 |
| Minimum directors | 3 | 2 |
| Name suffix | "Limited" | "Private Limited" |
| Public invitation for shares | Permitted | Prohibited |
| Share transferability | Freely transferable | Restricted by AOA |
| Stock exchange listing | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Prospectus requirement | Mandatory before public issue | Not required |
| Compliance requirements | Stringent | Less stringent |
Certificate of Incorporation: What It Confirms
The Certificate of Incorporation is the company's legal birth certificate — issued by the Registrar of Companies once your SPICe+ filing is approved. It confirms:
- Company name and registration number (CIN)
- Date of incorporation
- Registered office address
- Type of company — public limited, in this case
It's essential for opening a bank account, entering contracts, raising capital, and proving your company's legal existence to any third party.
Why Founders Choose Mark Bureau for Public Limited Company Registration
- Expert legal team — experienced CAs, CSs and legal professionals specialising in company registration
- End-to-end service — from DSC and DIN procurement to Certificate of Incorporation and post-compliance
- Transparent pricing with zero hidden charges
- Fast processing with regular status updates at every stage
- Dedicated support throughout incorporation and beyond
- Complete compliance assistance — MOA, AOA, ROC filings, and annual compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no mandatory minimum paid-up capital, as per the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015. You can incorporate with any amount of capital based on your business needs.
A Public Limited Company needs a minimum of 7 shareholders and 3 directors, with no upper limit on the number of shareholders.
Typically 10 to 15 working days with complete, accurate documentation, covering DSC procurement, DIN application, name approval, and SPICe+ filing.
Yes, foreign nationals can be directors, provided at least one director on the board is a resident of India.
Yes — the core differences are the minimum shareholder count (7 vs 2), the ability to invite public share subscription, freely transferable shares, eligibility for stock exchange listing, and a significantly higher compliance burden for public companies.
No. The Certificate of Incorporation is permanent and doesn't expire. However, the company must meet ongoing annual compliance requirements — ROC filings, AGMs, director KYC — to remain in good legal standing.
Once listed, the company becomes subject to SEBI regulations in addition to the Companies Act — covering corporate governance, disclosure requirements, insider trading restrictions, and takeover regulations.
Ready to Register Your Public Limited Company?
Mark Bureau handles DSC, DIN, name approval, MOA/AOA drafting and MCA filing end to end.
Talk to a Public Limited Company Registration Expert Today
Call +91-8576076152 or visit www.tmsearch.co.in — free consultation, always.
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