Private Limited Company Registration cost in India: government fees, stamp duty and DSC
In short
Government costs for a PVT. LTD. are MCA fees (nil up to ₹15 lakh authorised capital), state stamp duty on the MoA and AoA, small PAN and TAN charges, and a DSC for each signatory.
The government cost of Private Limited Company Registration in India has four parts: MCA fees (nil for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh), state stamp duty on the MoA and AoA, small PAN and TAN charges, and Digital Signature Certificates for each signatory. For a small company, stamp duty and DSCs usually make up most of the statutory cost.
This post explains only the government and statutory costs — the money that goes to the MCA, the state and the certifying authorities. It does not cover professional fees, which vary from person to person. Figures are as of September 2026; fees and stamp duty rates can change, so check the MCA portal before you file.
What are the government costs of registering a PVT. LTD.?
| Cost item | Paid to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation through RUN (optional) | MCA | ₹1,000 per application |
| Name through SPICe+ Part A | MCA | No separate fee |
| SPICe+ incorporation fee, e-MoA and e-AoA filing | MCA | Nil if authorised capital is up to ₹15 lakh; rises with capital above that |
| DIN for up to 3 directors through SPICe+ | MCA | No separate fee |
| Stamp duty on MoA and AoA | State government | Varies by state and, in many states, by authorised capital |
| PAN and TAN of the company | Income Tax Department (collected in SPICe+) | Small fixed charges, commonly shown as about ₹66 and ₹65 |
| Digital Signature Certificate | Licensed Certifying Authority | Market-priced; not fixed by government |
What is the MCA fee for SPICe+?
The MCA charges a Registration fee based on the company's authorised capital — the maximum value of shares the company is allowed to issue under its Memorandum of Association. It is not based on the paid-up capital (the money shareholders actually put in).
For a company incorporated through SPICe+ with authorised capital of up to ₹15 lakh, the MCA charges no fee for the incorporation form or for filing the e-MoA and e-AoA. This is why most first-time founders keep their authorised capital at or below ₹15 lakh at the start. Above ₹15 lakh, the fee is calculated on the full authorised capital using the slabs in the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014, and it can be substantial for large amounts. The MCA portal calculates the exact fee when you fill the form.
Keep in mind that authorised capital can be increased later by passing a shareholders' resolution and filing Form SH-7, paying the MCA fee and stamp duty on the increase at that time. The Private Limited Company lessons cover authorised vs paid-up capital.
How much is stamp duty on the MoA and AoA?
Stamp duty is a state tax on legal documents. The Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA) of a new company must be stamped, and the rate is set by the state where the registered office is located — not by the MCA.
- Some states charge a fixed amount on the MoA and a fixed amount on the AoA.
- Others charge a fixed amount on the MoA and a percentage of authorised capital on the AoA, usually with a maximum cap.
- So the same company with the same capital can pay a few hundred rupees in one state and several thousand rupees in another.
You do not have to calculate stamp duty by hand. When you file SPICe+, the MCA system works out the stamp duty for your state and capital, and it is paid online along with the MCA fees through the integrated e-stamping facility. The e-stamp certificate becomes part of your incorporation records.
What does a Digital Signature Certificate cost?
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is an electronic signature on a secure USB token. Each proposed director and each subscriber signs SPICe+ and the e-MoA and e-AoA with one, so a company with two founders who are both directors and shareholders normally needs two DSCs.
DSCs are issued by Certifying Authorities licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities. The government does not fix a single price. What you pay depends on the provider, the validity period (commonly one to three years) and whether a new USB token is needed. A DSC belongs to the individual, not the company, so a founder who already has a valid Class 3 DSC can use it again.
Are there any other statutory costs in the first months?
A few government costs come after incorporation. They are not part of the Registration itself, but it is fair to plan for them:
| Item | When | Government cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp duty on issue of shares | When share certificates are issued, within two months of incorporation | 0.005% of the issue value, paid to the state |
| Form INC-20A (commencement of business) | Within 180 days of incorporation | Normal MCA filing fee based on authorised capital |
| GST Registration | When required by turnover or type of supply | No government fee |
| Profession tax Registration | In states that levy it, such as Maharashtra | Varies by state |
Missing INC-20A is expensive: the company can face a penalty of ₹50,000, and officers in default up to ₹1,000 per day, capped at ₹1 lakh. The Life After Registration lessons explain the full compliance calendar and what yearly filings cost.
How can you keep statutory costs low — honestly?
- Keep authorised capital realistic. Up to ₹15 lakh attracts no MCA incorporation fee. You can increase it later when you actually need to issue more shares.
- Use SPICe+ Part A for the name unless you really need the name reserved before you are ready to file. A separate RUN application costs ₹1,000 and the fee is not refunded if the name is rejected.
- Check names carefully first. A rejected RUN application means a fresh fee.
- Get documents right the first time. Resubmissions do not usually add government fees, but a rejected or lapsed application can mean refiling and paying again.
- Reuse valid DSCs. If a founder already has a valid Class 3 DSC, there is no need to buy another.
Is the Registration cost the same for an LLP or OPC?
No. An LLP is registered through FiLLiP, and its fee and stamp duty depend on the partners' capital contribution and the state. A One Person Company uses SPICe+ like a PVT. LTD., with similar fees. Yearly compliance costs also differ — a PVT. LTD. needs a statutory audit every year, whatever its turnover. See the LLP lessons, the OPC lessons and our PVT. LTD. vs LLP vs OPC comparison page. For the steps themselves, read our Private Limited Company Registration step-by-step guide.
Key takeaways
- There is no MCA incorporation fee when authorised capital is up to ₹15 lakh; above that, the fee rises with capital.
- Stamp duty on the MoA and AoA is set by each state and is calculated and paid through SPICe+.
- RUN costs ₹1,000 if used; DIN for up to three directors comes through SPICe+ without a separate fee.
- DSC prices are set by certifying authorities, not the government; each signatory needs one.
- Plan for post-incorporation costs such as share certificate stamp duty and the INC-20A filing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the government fee for Private Limited Company Registration in India?
For a Private Limited Company with authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs charges no fee for the SPICe+ incorporation form or the e-MoA and e-AoA. The founders still pay state stamp duty on the MoA and AoA, small PAN and TAN charges, and the cost of Digital Signature Certificates. Above ₹15 lakh, the MCA fee increases with authorised capital.
Is stamp duty for company Registration the same in every state?
No. Stamp duty on the Memorandum and Articles of Association is set by each state under its stamp law, so it depends on the state of the registered office and, in many states, on the authorised capital. Some states charge fixed amounts and others a percentage with a cap. The MCA system calculates the stamp duty when SPICe+ is filed, and it is paid online.
Is the RUN name fee refunded if the name is rejected?
No. The ₹1,000 fee paid for a RUN (Reserve Unique Name) application is not refunded if the proposed names are rejected. A resubmission may be allowed on the same application, but a completely new application needs a fresh fee. Applying for the name directly in SPICe+ Part A avoids a separate name fee, since it is part of the incorporation filing.
Does paid-up capital affect the Registration fees of a company?
No. MCA fees and, in many states, stamp duty on the Articles of Association are calculated on the authorised capital, which is the maximum share capital stated in the MoA. The paid-up capital, which is the money shareholders actually put in, does not change the Registration fee. Paid-up capital can be kept small and later increased up to the authorised limit.
Who issues a Digital Signature Certificate and who sets its price?
Digital Signature Certificates in India are issued by Certifying Authorities licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The government does not fix a single price; each authority and its agents set their own charges based on validity period and token. MCA filings need a Class 3 DSC, and one valid DSC can be used for many companies.
