Public Limited Company Registration

Last updated: 14 Oct 2026

What is a Public Limited Company? A Public Limited Company can raise capital from the public through stock exchanges. Minimum 3 directors, 7 shareholders, and ₹5 lakh authorised capital. Subject to higher compliance than Pvt Ltd — including secretarial audit, SEBI regulations (if listed), and stricter disclosure requirements. Virtual Auditor handles public company incorporation and compliance, including pre-IPO structuring advisory. Quick Answer: Public Limited Company Registration — Public Limited Company registration online. ₹25,000 (professional fees; govt fees extra). Government fees extra. Complete incorporation with compliance support. Virtual Auditor, since 2012.

Public Limited Company Registration is a service offered by Virtual Auditor, an AI-powered CA and IBBI Registered Valuer firm (IBBI/RV/03/2019/12333) led by CA V. Viswanathan (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV), specialising in company registration under the Companies Act, 2013, from offices in Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai since 2012.

Source: Companies Act 2013, Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014, MCA Circulars Official References: MCA Filing Portal ↗ · SPICe+ Form ↗

Regulatory Framework

Regulatory basis: Companies Act, 2013 read with Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. SPICe+ (INC-32) for incorporation. PAN/TAN via automatic allotment.

Public Ltd vs Pvt Ltd

FeaturePublic LimitedPrivate Limited
Min directors32
Min shareholders72
Max shareholdersUnlimited200
Share transferabilityFree (on exchange)Restricted
Min paid-up capitalNo minimum (earlier ₹5L)No minimum

People Also Ask

What documents are needed for company registration in India?

PAN Card, Aadhaar, passport-size photo, address proof, registered office proof (rent agreement + NOC or property document), and utility bill. For foreign directors: apostilled passport and address proof. Virtual Auditor provides a detailed checklist at engagement.

How long does company registration take in India?

5-15 working days depending on MCA processing time and name availability. SPICe+ integrates name reservation, incorporation, PAN/TAN, and GST in one application.

How Virtual Auditor Delivers This Differently

Our compliance calendar tracks every post-registration deadline: auditor appointment (30 days), INC-20A (180 days), board meetings (quarterly), AGM (6 months from year-end), AOC-4 and MGT-7 (annual). Proactive reminders prevent penalties. Same team handles registration through first annual filing and beyond.

Need Help With This?

Free 30-minute consultation with CA V. Viswanathan, FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV. No obligation.

What You Will Receive

Upon completion, you will receive: Certificate of Incorporation as Public Limited Company, Memorandum and Articles of Association (with public company clauses), PAN and TAN, all statutory registrations, compliance calendar with 50+ due dates (public companies have additional obligations — secretarial audit, quarterly board meetings, annual company secretary appointment, and enhanced disclosure requirements), and corporate governance framework documentation.

Latest Regulatory Updates (FY 2025-26)

This page has been updated to reflect changes introduced in Budget 2025, recent notifications from CBDT, CBIC, MCA, SEBI, and RBI, and evolving compliance requirements for FY 2025-26. Virtual Auditor continuously monitors regulatory developments to ensure all advice and filings are current and compliant with the latest provisions.

Recent Engagement — How We Helped

Context: a group of 4 co-founders launching an AI-powered fintech startup in Bangalore.

Challenge: The founders needed to incorporate quickly to sign a term sheet with an angel investor, but had complex requirements — one NRI director, customised Articles of Association with vesting clauses, and simultaneous DPIIT startup recognition for tax benefits.

Our approach: We handled end-to-end incorporation using SPICe+ (INC-32), securing DSC for all 4 directors including the NRI (using foreign address attestation), drafted customised MOA/AOA with founder vesting and anti-dilution provisions, and filed DPIIT recognition immediately post-incorporation.

Outcome: Certificate of Incorporation received in 6 working days. PAN/TAN/GST registration allotted simultaneously through SPICe+. DPIIT recognition approved within 48 hours of incorporation. The angel round closed within 3 weeks of engagement.

When Is Public Limited Company Registration Not Required?

Public Limited Company registration may not be required when: (a) a Private Limited Company meets all current requirements (no public share offering planned), (b) the company will have fewer than 7 shareholders (minimum for public company), (c) the compliance overhead (quarterly board meetings, secretarial audit, enhanced disclosures) is not justified by the business scale, or (d) the company does not plan to list on a stock exchange or accept public deposits. Public companies have significantly higher compliance requirements and costs compared to private companies.

If you are unsure whether your situation requires public limited company registration, contact us for a free preliminary assessment. We will advise you honestly — including telling you if you do not need our services.

Step-by-Step Process

2

Step 2

Obtain DSC, DIN for minimum 3 directors

3

Step 3

Draft MOA and AOA (no share transfer restrictions)

4

Step 4

File SPICe+ with minimum 7 subscribers

5

Step 5

Receive Certificate of Incorporation

6

Step 6

Appoint CS if capital >₹5 crore

Which laws govern this service? — Company law

The statutory provisions this service is delivered under, linked to the official text:

Who Needs Public Limited Company Registration?

This registration is required for: (a) businesses seeking limited liability protection for promoters and directors, (b) startups planning to raise equity funding from investors (angel/VC/PE), (c) entities requiring a separate legal identity for contracts, property, and bank accounts, (d) businesses planning to scale operations across multiple states, (e) professionals or consultants seeking to formalise their practice into a body corporate, and (f) any person or group mandated by law to register under the applicable business structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum capital for public company?

Minimum authorised capital of ₹5 lakhs (reduced from ₹5 crore in 2015). Paid-up capital: no statutory minimum.

Can a public company be unlisted?

Yes. Many public companies are unlisted. Listing on BSE/NSE is optional but requires SEBI ICDR compliance.

What are the requirements for public limited company?

Minimum 3 directors, 7 shareholders, ₹5 lakh authorised capital. Must have company secretary if paid-up capital >₹5 crore. Subject to SEBI regulations if listed. Higher compliance than private companies.

What is the compliance difference vs private company?

Public company: mandatory CS, public disclosure of financials, no restriction on shareholders (max 200 for private), secretarial audit if capital >₹50 crore, and SEBI compliance if listed.

How to convert private company to public?

Pass special resolution, alter Articles removing Pvt Ltd restrictions, file MGT-14 with RoC, apply for name change (remove Private), file INC-27 for conversion. Timeline: 1-2 months.

Which business structure fits my founders, funding plans and liability needs?

It depends on who will own the business and how it will be funded. A private limited company suits founders who plan to raise equity or offer ESOPs: it needs at least two directors and two shareholders, and liability is limited to the share capital. An LLP suits partners who will fund the business themselves: it cannot issue shares to investors or ESOPs. A One Person Company suits a single founder who is an Indian citizen resident in India, and can later convert into a private or public company. A sole proprietorship has no separate legal identity, so the owner’s liability is unlimited. After incorporation, a company must hold its first board meeting within 30 days (section 173), issue share certificates within two months (section 56(4)) and file the commencement declaration INC-20A within 180 days. We confirm the fit and quote the full cost, including government fees and stamp duty, before filing.

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