As per Section 2(68) of the Companies Act, 2013, a private limited company means a company having a minimum paid-up share capital as may be prescribed, and which by its articles of association:

(a) Restricts the right to transfer its shares;

(b) Limits the number of its members to 200 (excluding present and former employees); and

(c) Prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company.

For Indian Nationals:

Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Passport, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, or Driver's License

Address Proof: Recent Utility Bills or Bank Statements (not older than 2 months)

For Foreign Nationals:

Identity Proof: Passport (mandatory)

Address Proof: Driver's License, Bank Statement, or Residence Card

For Corporate Shareholders:

Board Resolution: Signed resolution authorizing investment in the new company

Incorporation Certificate: Legal proof of registration of the investing company

Registered Office Proof:

Utility Bill: Recent Electricity Bill or Property Tax Receipt (within 30 days)

Rent Agreement or NOC: Rental Agreement and No Objection Certificate from the property owner

Memorandum of Association (MoA): Defines the company's business objectives

Articles of Association (AoA): Lays out internal governance rules

Declaration and Consent Forms: Includes Form INC-9 and DIR-2, confirming compliance and director consent

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): Required for all proposed directors for online filing

Director Identification Number (DIN): Mandatory unique number for each director

Common for All:

Photographs: Passport-size photos of all directors and shareholders

Registering a private limited company in India typically takes 10 to 15 working days, depending on factors like name availability, documentation accuracy, and MCA processing speed. Here's a quick breakdown:

Name Approval (3–4 days): Reserve your company name through the MCA portal.

Director Identification Number (DIN) (3 days): Obtain DIN for all proposed directors.

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) (2 days): Secure a DSC for each director for digital filings.

MOA & AOA Drafting (2–3 days): Prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Filing Incorporation Documents (5–7 days): Submit SPICe+ forms and required documents to the MCA.

Certificate of Incorporation (2–3 days): Upon approval, the RoC issues your incorporation certificate.

Each step is crucial, and delays can occur due to incomplete documents or government backlogs.

Limited Liability — Shareholders are only liable to the extent of their shareholding—personal assets are protected.

Separate Legal Entity — The company has its own legal identity. It can own property, enter contracts, and face legal proceedings independently.

Easier Access to Capital — Pvt Ltd companies can raise funds through equity, loans, or venture capital, attracting investors more easily.

Tax Benefits — Eligible for lower corporate tax rates and deductions on business expenses like salaries, rent, and utilities.

Professional Image — Registration adds credibility, helping in building trust with clients, partners, and investors.

Perpetual Existence — The company remains unaffected by changes in ownership or management ensuring business continuity.

Easy Share Transfer — Shares can be transferred with shareholder approval, offering flexibility in ownership without disrupting operations.