Private Limited Company
For startups, SMEs, and businesses not yet planning a public listing. Easier to manage, lower compliance overhead, and still allows FDI, institutional investment, and ESOPs. You can convert to a Public Limited Company later.
Building a company that can raise public capital, list on a stock exchange, or scale with institutional investors?
No paperwork confusion. No missed steps. No guessing.




A Public Limited Company is a business structure incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 and registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). It is a separate legal entity that can offer its shares to the general public — through a stock exchange listing, a public issue, or an initial public offering (IPO).
Unlike a Private Limited Company, which restricts share transfers and limits shareholders to 200, a Public Limited Company has no upper limit on the number of shareholders. Shares can be freely bought and sold by the public, making this the preferred structure for large-scale enterprises, companies seeking institutional investment, and businesses planning a future stock exchange listing.
A Public Limited Company must have a minimum of 7 shareholders and 3 directors, with at least one independent director. It carries higher compliance obligations than a Private Limited Company — but in exchange, it offers the broadest possible access to capital markets, the highest level of public credibility, and a governance framework trusted by institutional investors globally.
The name of a Public Limited Company must end with the words "Limited" — not "Private Limited."
Before you begin, confirm your setup meets the statutory requirements under the Companies Act, 2013:
A Public Limited Company requires at least 7 shareholders at the time of incorporation. There is no upper limit on the number of shareholders.




At least 3 directors must be appointed. At least one director must be a resident of India - meaning they have stayed in India for 120 or more days in the previous financial year.
At least one-third of the board must consist of independent directors. An independent director is someone who has no material or financial relationship with the company, its promoters, or its management.




All directors signing incorporation documents must hold a valid DSC. CorpE coordinates DSC issuance for all directors as part of the registration process.
Each director must hold a DIN, which is assigned automatically during the SPICe+ filing process.




A physical address in India is required as the company's registered office. A utility bill and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner are needed. The registered office address must be capable of receiving official MCA correspondence.
The proposed company name must end with the word "Limited" and must not conflict with existing registered companies or trademarks. CorpE checks name availability before submission.




There is no statutory minimum paid-up capital requirement under the Companies Act, 2013 for a Public Limited Company at the time of incorporation. However, if the company plans to list on a stock exchange, SEBI's listing requirements will specify minimum net worth and paid-up capital thresholds.
A Public Limited Company's MOA and AOA must comply with the Companies Act, 2013 and be drafted to accommodate the broader governance requirements of a public entity - including provisions for public share issuance, shareholder meetings, and independent director responsibilities.


Transparent and All-Inclusive
Company registration fees in India consist of government charges plus professional service fees. CorpE shows a full, itemized cost breakdown before you make any payment.
| Stage | Amount | Payment to receive |
|---|---|---|
| Signing Fee | ₹999 | Pre-step: Your Business registration |
| 1st Installments (50%) | ₹10,550 | Pre-step: Documents and Information for business incorporation |
| 2nd Installments (50%) | ₹10,550 | Pre-step: MoA and AoA Drafting |
CorpE is a managed online platform. You handle the document upload. Our expert team prepares all MCA forms, drafts your legal documents, and manages the entire government filing process.

Sign up and access your personal registration dashboard. No office visits or phone calls required to get started.
Submit 2–3 preferred company names ending with "Limited." Our team verifies availability across MCA records and trademark databases. You'll know which names are clear before any application is filed.
Upload KYC documents for all directors and shareholders, along with registered office proofs, through your secure CorpE dashboard. Our team reviews everything for MCA compliance before proceeding.
Our team prepares your Public Limited Company-specific Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA), along with all SPICe+ forms. MOA and AOA for a Public Limited Company include governance provisions not required in private companies — independent director clauses, AGM provisions, and public share issuance framework. You review and digitally sign.
All documents are submitted to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Your dashboard updates in real time as the application moves through MCA's review stages.
Once MCA approves your application, your Certificate of Incorporation (COI), PAN, TAN, and DINs for all directors are delivered to your CorpE dashboard — ready to download and use.

Everything is submitted digitally through your CorpE dashboard. No physical copies or courier submissions required.
All documents are uploaded through your CorpE dashboard. Our team reviews everything before any filing is made.
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A Certificate of Incorporation (COI) is the official document issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) confirming that your Public Limited Company is legally registered in India under the Companies Act, 2013. It contains:

Once your COI is issued, your company is a legally recognized entity in India. It can open bank accounts, enter contracts, apply for regulatory licenses, and begin operations. For companies intending to list on a stock exchange, the COI is the foundational document on which SEBI registration and listing applications are built.

These are mandatory MCA deliverables, not optional extras. CorpE ensures every document is accounted for and stored in your encrypted dashboard vault.
Timelines depend on MCA processing and the completeness of your documents. Here is a realistic breakdown:
Total Estimated Timeline: 10-20 working days

Compare the key features of Public Limited, Private Limited, and LLP structures to find the best fit for your business goals.
| Feature | Public Limited Company | Private Limited Company | LLP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Shareholders | 7 | 2 | 2 partners |
| Maximum Shareholders | Unlimited | 200 | Unlimited |
| Minimum Directors | 3 (1 independent) | 2 | 2 designated partners |
| Public Share Issuance | Yes | No | No |
| Stock Exchange Listing | Yes (eligible) | No | No |
| ESOP Available | Yes | Yes | No |
| Investor Friendly | Highest | High | Low |
| Compliance Level | High | Medium | Low |
| Scalability | Highest | High | Moderate |
| Best For | Large enterprises, IPO-bound | Startups, SMEs | Professionals, consultants |
When to choose Public Limited over Private Limited:
If you plan to list on a stock exchange, raise capital from the general public through a public issue, or build a business that will eventually need unlimited shareholder participation, a Public Limited Company is the required structure. If you are still in early-stage growth and public listing is 3–5 years away, a Private Limited Company with a conversion plan may be the more practical starting point.
Still unsure which structure is right for you?
CorpE's team can help evaluate the best fit based on your capital requirements, investor profile, and growth timeline.

From name availability to your Certificate of Incorporation — everything is managed inside your CorpE account. No switching between portals, no coordinating with multiple vendors or consultants.

You upload your documents. Our team reviews, prepares, and files everything with MCA. Every document is checked for compliance before submission — including MOA and AOA provisions specific to public company governance.

Your dashboard shows exactly where your application stands at every step — from document review to MCA approval. No calls required to check status.

Whether your foreign investors are individuals (Path 3) or overseas companies (Path 4), CorpE's team coordinates the apostille requirements, valuation certificates, and FC-GPR filing process — so nothing is missed.

Your ROC filing calendar, AGM documentation checklist, INC-20A filing, and GST registration are built into the platform from day one. Public companies carry heavier ongoing compliance than private ones — CorpE keeps that under control.

Every certificate, filed form, and legal document is stored permanently in your encrypted CorpE vault — accessible whenever you need them for audits, investor due diligence, or bank onboarding.

The full cost — government fees, stamp duty, and CorpE service fees — is shown before you pay.




Understanding both sides helps you make the right decision for your business.

Public Limited Companies are subject to significantly more regulatory oversight than Private Limited Companies. SEBI regulations, ROC filings, mandatory audits, and board governance requirements all apply.
At least one-third of the board must consist of independent directors — individuals with no financial relationship with the company. This adds complexity to board composition.
A Public Limited Company must hold an AGM every financial year. Shareholders must be given formal notice, and resolutions passed at the AGM are legally binding.
The minimum threshold is higher than a Private Limited Company. Gathering 7 shareholders at incorporation requires more upfront coordination.
Annual financial statements, board reports, and other filings made with ROC are publicly accessible. This level of transparency is required by law but may not suit all businesses.
Closing a Public Limited Company involves a formal liquidation or voluntary winding-up process governed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which is more involved than the strike-off process for smaller entities.
Annual compliance costs — statutory audits, SEBI filings if listed, ROC filings, AGM management, and independent director fees — are substantially higher than for a Private Limited Company.

A Public Limited Company can raise funds from the general public by issuing shares through an IPO, follow-on public offer (FPO), or rights issue. This opens a far larger pool of capital than any private placement can offer.
Unlike a Private Limited Company capped at 200 shareholders, a Public Limited Company can have an unlimited number of shareholders — enabling widespread ownership and large-scale equity distribution.
Shares of a Public Limited Company can be freely bought, sold, and transferred without restrictions. This provides liquidity to shareholders that private company structures cannot offer.
A Public Limited Company signals scale, governance maturity, and regulatory compliance. It commands the highest level of trust among institutional investors, large enterprise clients, banks, and government counterparts.
Like all registered companies, a Public Limited Company is a distinct legal entity — it can own assets, enter contracts, sue and be sued independently of its shareholders and directors.
The company continues to exist regardless of changes in ownership, death of shareholders, or changes in the board of directors.
Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) can be issued, making it an effective tool to attract and retain senior talent at scale.
Companies planning to list on the BSE or NSE must be structured as Public Limited Companies. This is a mandatory requirement under SEBI's ICDR (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) regulations.
If a Public Limited Company isn't the right fit for your current stage, CorpE also supports:
For startups, SMEs, and businesses not yet planning a public listing. Easier to manage, lower compliance overhead, and still allows FDI, institutional investment, and ESOPs. You can convert to a Public Limited Company later.
For solo founders who want a registered company structure with limited liability and full personal control — without needing a co-founder or multiple shareholders.
For professional service firms, consulting practices, and businesses that want limited liability with the structural flexibility of a partnership and lower compliance obligations than any company form.
India's Companies Act, 2013 and LLP Act, 2008 offer several business structures. Here is how a Public Limited Company compares.
| Business Structure | Shareholders | Liability | Public Capital | Compliance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Limited Company | 7 minimum, no maximum | Limited | Yes - shares offered to public | High | Large enterprises, IPO-bound companies |
| Private Limited Company | 2 minimum, 200 maximum | Limited | No - restricted to private shareholders | Medium | Startups, SMEs, agencies |
| One Person Company (OPC) | 1 only | Limited | No | Medium | Solo founders |
| LLP | 2+ designated partners | Limited | No | Low | Professionals, consultants |
| Section 8 Company | 2+ | Limited | No | High | NGOs, non-profits |
A Public Limited Company is the only structure in India that allows shares to be offered directly to the general public.
It is the required structure for any company seeking to list on the BSE or NSE, raise capital through a public issue, or operate in sectors where MCA or SEBI mandates a public company structure.
Our clients are at the heart of everything we do, and their experiences tell the real story. Each project, big or small, is a chance to make something meaningful—and the feedback we get reminds us why we care so much about doing it right. Here's what a few of them have shared about working with us.

We had 9 promoters across three cities. CorpE managed the KYC collection and document verification for all of them without a single back-and-forth. Incorporation was done in 3 weeks.
Promoter, Mumbai Infrastructure Company

We needed a public limited structure with both Indian and foreign corporate shareholders. CorpE's team handled the apostille requirements and FDI documentation without us needing to explain the process.
Director, Delhi-based Manufacturing Group

The dashboard gave our entire promoter group visibility into exactly where the application was. No one had to chase anyone.
Founder, Bengaluru Enterprise SaaS Company
Have a quick look at our FAQ section where we've answered some of your burning questions. If you still have questions that can't be found here, get on a free consultation call with us.

Upload your documents. Our team takes it from there — preparing every form, filing with MCA, and delivering your Certificate of Incorporation.
No paperwork confusion. No missed steps. No guessing.

Begin your hassle-free business
journey with CorpE today!