Company Name Reservation: RUN Form, Rules & Common Rejection Reasons (2026)
Quick Answer
Company name reservation in India is done through the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service on the MCA portal, or directly through Part A of the SPICe+ form. RUN allows you to propose up to 2 names in a single application. The name must comply with Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 and must not be identical or similar to existing companies, LLPs, or registered trademarks. The reserved name is valid for 20 days from the date of approval. At Virtual Auditor, we conduct a thorough name availability search across MCA, Trademark Registry, and domain name databases before filing — our first-attempt approval rate exceeds 90%.
Definition — RUN (Reserve Unique Name): RUN is an e-form available on the MCA V3 portal that allows promoters to reserve a name for a proposed company before filing the incorporation application. It was introduced to decouple name reservation from the incorporation process, enabling promoters to secure a name while preparing other incorporation documents. RUN is governed by Rule 9 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.
Definition — Rule 8 of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014: Rule 8 prescribes the guidelines for company names. It specifies the conditions under which a name shall be considered undesirable and therefore not approved by the Registrar. These conditions include similarity with existing companies, use of prohibited words, names that are offensive or contrary to public policy, and names that suggest government patronage without authorisation.
Two Methods to Reserve a Company Name
Method 1: RUN (Reserve Unique Name) — Standalone Name Reservation
RUN is filed as a standalone application before filing SPICe+. This is useful when promoters want to secure a name while they are still preparing director documents, registered office proof, and other incorporation paperwork.
Key details:
- Maximum names per application: 2 (one preferred name and one alternative)
- Filing fee: Rs 1,000 (government fee payable to MCA)
- Processing time: 1-3 working days. Most names are approved or rejected within 24-48 hours.
- Validity of reserved name: 20 days from the date of approval. Within this period, the SPICe+ incorporation form must be filed. If not filed within 20 days, the reserved name lapses and becomes available for others.
- Resubmission: If the name is rejected, the applicant can file a fresh RUN form with modified names. There is no limit on the number of RUN applications, but each application attracts Rs 1,000 fee.
- Who can file: Any proposed director or subscriber of the company. The applicant must have a valid DSC and an approved DIN (or must have filed a DIN application).
Method 2: SPICe+ Part A — Name Reservation with Incorporation
SPICe+ Part A integrates name reservation with the incorporation application. The promoter proposes up to 2 names in Part A. Once the name is approved, Part B (incorporation details — directors, MOA, AOA, registered office) is activated for filing. The name approved through SPICe+ Part A is valid for 20 days for filing Part B.
Advantage of SPICe+ Part A over standalone RUN: No separate filing fee for name reservation — the name reservation fee is included in the SPICe+ incorporation fee. Single workflow — no need to file two separate forms.
Disadvantage: If the name is rejected, the entire SPICe+ Part A must be resubmitted with new names, which adds to the timeline. With standalone RUN, you can iterate on names without touching the incorporation application.
Name Structure Rules Under Rule 8
Mandatory Components of a Company Name
Every company name must have three components in the following order:
- Distinctive part (first word or phrase): A unique word or combination of words that distinguishes the company from all others. This is the “brand” element. Examples: “Infosys,” “Tata,” “Zomato,” “FreshWorks.”
- Descriptive part (middle words): Words describing the activity, industry, or nature of the business. This is optional but recommended for clarity. Examples: “Technologies,” “Industries,” “Solutions,” “Agro,” “Fintech.”
- Legal suffix (last words): Mandatory suffix indicating the type of company:
- Private Limited Company: “Private Limited” or “Pvt. Ltd.” (both accepted)
- Public Limited Company: “Limited” or “Ltd.”
- One Person Company: “(OPC) Private Limited”
- Producer Company: “Producer Company Limited”
- Section 8 Company: Can omit “Limited” / “Private Limited” with licence from Central Government
Example: “FreshLeaf Agro Technologies Private Limited” — where “FreshLeaf” is the distinctive part, “Agro Technologies” is the descriptive part, and “Private Limited” is the legal suffix.
Names That Will Be Rejected (Rule 8 Prohibitions)
The following names are considered undesirable under Rule 8 and will be rejected by the CRC (Central Registration Centre):
1. Identical or too similar to existing companies or LLPs: The name must not be identical to or too nearly resemble the name of an existing company registered under the Companies Act, or an LLP registered under the LLP Act, 2008. The CRC checks the MCA database for similarity. Minor variations (adding “The,” changing “Industries” to “Industry,” adding a geographical prefix) will not make a name sufficiently distinct.
2. Identical or similar to a registered trademark: If the proposed name includes a word or phrase that is an existing registered trademark (under the Trade Marks Act, 1999), the name will be rejected unless the trademark owner provides a No Objection Certificate. The CRC cross-checks the Trademark Registry database.
3. Use of prohibited words and expressions: Rule 8(2) lists words and expressions that require prior approval of the Central Government or relevant authority before use. These include:
- “Board,” “Authority,” “Commission,” “Bureau,” “Corporation” — these imply government connection
- “National,” “Union,” “Central,” “Federal,” “Republic,” “President,” “Rashtrapati”
- “India,” “Indian,” “Bharat,” “Bharatiya,” “Hindustan” — when used as a prefix, these require prior Central Government approval (when used in the descriptive or middle position, they are generally permitted but subject to CRC discretion)
- “Bank,” “Banking” — requires prior RBI approval
- “Insurance,” “Assurance” — requires prior IRDAI approval
- “Stock Exchange,” “Mutual Fund” — requires prior SEBI approval
- “Cooperative,” “Sahakari” — implies cooperative character, not permitted for a company
- Names of any state or country used as the first word
4. Names that are offensive, vulgar, or contrary to public policy: Any name that the Registrar considers offensive to any section of people, or is against public morality or decency, will be rejected.
5. Names that constitute an offence under any law: Names promoting illegal activities, or that could deceive the public about the nature of the company’s activities.
6. Names using common words without a distinctive element: Generic names like “Technology Private Limited,” “Services India Private Limited,” or “Solutions Pvt Ltd” will be rejected because they lack a distinctive first word that distinguishes the company.
How to Choose a Name That Gets Approved
Pre-Filing Name Search
Before filing RUN or SPICe+ Part A, conduct a thorough name availability check:
- MCA Company/LLP Name Search: Search on the MCA portal (Company/LLP Master Data) for existing companies and LLPs with similar names. Pay attention to phonetic similarity — “KraftWerk” vs “CraftWork” may be considered too similar.
- Trademark Registry Search: Search the IP India Trademark Registry (ipindiaservices.gov.in) for registered trademarks that match the proposed name. If a trademark exists in a related class, the name will likely be rejected.
- Domain name availability: While not mandatory, checking domain availability (e.g., freshleafagro.com) helps avoid future branding conflicts.
Naming Tips for First-Attempt Approval
- Use coined or invented words: Names like “Infosys,” “Wipro,” “Zoho” are instantly distinctive because they are invented words. These have the highest approval rate.
- Combine two meaningful words: “FreshLeaf,” “BlueStar,” “GreenTree” — combining two common words into a compound creates distinctiveness.
- Add a specific geographical qualifier only if necessary: “Coimbatore” or “Chennai” as a prefix can help differentiate from similarly named companies in other states — but avoid using just the city name without a distinctive word.
- Avoid generic descriptors as the primary word: “Best Technologies,” “Super Solutions,” “Premium Services” — these are too generic and will be rejected or flagged.
- Propose 2 names: Always use both slots in the RUN form. If the first name is rejected, the alternative may still be approved, saving time and money.
Practitioner Insight — CA V. Viswanathan, IBBI/RV/03/2019/12333
At Virtual Auditor, we follow a three-step name verification process before filing: (1) MCA search — we check for exact matches, phonetic matches, and abbreviated matches across both the company database and the LLP database; (2) Trademark search — we search the IP India database across all 45 classes, not just the proposed business class, because CRC officers sometimes reject names based on trademarks in unrelated classes; and (3) Web search — we check if the proposed name is a well-known brand name even if not formally trademarked in India (e.g., global brands that have not yet registered trademarks in India but are well-known). This three-step process gives us over 90% first-attempt approval. The most common reason for rejection in our experience is phonetic similarity — two names that sound alike even though they are spelled differently. The CRC uses a similarity algorithm that catches these, and many promoters are surprised when a name they thought was unique gets rejected.
Post-Approval Steps
After Name Approval Through RUN
Once the name is approved, the promoter has 20 days to file SPICe+ Part B (incorporation application). If the 20-day window expires without filing, the reserved name lapses. There is no provision to extend the reservation period. The promoter must file a fresh RUN application (with the same or different names) and pay Rs 1,000 again.
During the 20-day window, complete the following in parallel:
- Obtain DSCs for all proposed directors (if not already done)
- Finalise the registered office address and obtain the rent agreement, NOC, and utility bill
- Draft the MOA and AOA (or use the standard Table A format for Private Limited Companies)
- Prepare declarations by first directors (Form INC-9) and consent to act as director (Form DIR-2)
After Name Approval Through SPICe+ Part A
SPICe+ Part B is automatically activated. Complete and submit Part B with all attachments within 20 days of Part A approval.
Name Change After Incorporation
If a company wants to change its name after incorporation, the process under Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013 involves:
- Board meeting to approve the proposal for name change
- Apply for new name reservation through RUN form
- Pass a Special Resolution at a General Meeting (or by postal ballot) — requires 75% majority
- File Form INC-24 (Application for change of name) with the ROC
- ROC issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new name
- Update PAN, TAN, GST, bank accounts, and all statutory registrations with the new name
The name change takes effect from the date of the fresh Certificate of Incorporation. The CIN remains the same — only the name component changes. At Virtual Auditor, we charge Rs 9,999 for the complete name change process including RUN, Special Resolution drafting, INC-24 filing, and PAN/TAN/GST updation.
Company Name Reservation: Quick Reference
| Parameter | RUN (Standalone) | SPICe+ Part A |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum names | 2 per application | 2 per application |
| Government fee | Rs 1,000 | Included in SPICe+ fee |
| Processing time | 1-3 working days | 1-3 working days |
| Validity of reservation | 20 days | 20 days |
| Governing rule | Rule 9, Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014 | Rule 9, Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014 |
| Naming rules | Rule 8, Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014 | Rule 8, Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014 |
| Resubmission on rejection | Fresh RUN (Rs 1,000 again) | Resubmit SPICe+ Part A |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I resubmit a RUN form if my name is rejected?
There is no limit on the number of RUN applications you can file. Each application costs Rs 1,000 and allows you to propose 2 names. However, repeated rejections for the same type of name (e.g., always proposing names that are similar to existing companies) may attract CRC scrutiny. We recommend consulting a professional before filing if your first application is rejected — the rejection reason will indicate the specific issue (similarity, trademark conflict, prohibited word), and the next application should address that issue.
Can I reserve a name that includes the word “India”?
Yes, but with conditions. Under Rule 8(2)(b), the word “India,” “Indian,” “Bharat,” or “Hindustan” can be used in a company name, but the CRC exercises discretion. If “India” is used as a prefix (e.g., “India Technologies Private Limited”), prior Central Government approval may be required. If “India” is used in the descriptive part (e.g., “FreshLeaf India Technologies Private Limited”), it is generally approved without additional permissions. The CRC evaluates whether the use of “India” suggests government patronage or national importance — if it does, approval will be denied unless the company genuinely has a national presence or government connection.
What happens if I do not file SPICe+ within 20 days of name approval?
The reserved name lapses automatically. It becomes available for any other applicant to reserve. You must file a fresh RUN application (Rs 1,000 fee) to reserve the same name again — there is no guarantee it will still be available. At Virtual Auditor, we ensure all director documents and registered office proofs are ready before filing RUN, so that SPICe+ Part B can be filed within 5-7 days of name approval, well within the 20-day window.
Can I use a person’s name as the company name?
Yes, you can use a director’s or subscriber’s name as part of the company name — for example, “V. Viswanathan Associates Private Limited” or “Rajan Industries Private Limited.” However, you cannot use the name of a person who is not a director or subscriber without their written consent (NOC). Using a well-known person’s name (a celebrity, political figure, or public personality) without authorisation will be rejected. Using a deceased person’s surname (e.g., a family business named after the founder) is permitted if the applicant can demonstrate a legitimate connection.
Is RUN required for LLP name reservation as well?
No. LLP name reservation is done through the RUN-LLP form, which is a separate form from the company RUN. The RUN-LLP form is available on the MCA portal and follows similar rules — up to 2 names per application, 20-day validity, and naming rules under the LLP (Amendment) Rules. The LLP name must end with “LLP” or “Limited Liability Partnership.” For LLP registration, Virtual Auditor files the RUN-LLP and FiLLiP as part of our all-inclusive incorporation package.
Can I reserve a name in a regional language (Hindi, Tamil, etc.)?
The company name on the MCA portal and the Certificate of Incorporation must be in English. However, Rule 8(1)(b) allows a company to also have its name in a language other than English — this is printed in the MOA and can be displayed on signboards and letterheads alongside the English name. The RUN form only accepts English names. If you want a Hindi or Tamil name, it is included in the MOA as an additional name after the English name is approved and reserved through RUN.
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Valuer: V. VISWANATHAN, FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI/RV/03/2019/12333
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