Complete List of Forms You Need to Incorporate & Run a Private Limited Company in India

 Thinking of starting a private limited company in India but unsure about the compliance requirements, which forms need to be filed, and with which authorities?

Starting a private limited company in India is relatively simple, and it remains one of the most preferred business structures for both Indian and foreign entrepreneurs because of its credibility, flexibility, and business benefits. However, many people often get confused about the various forms and compliances required before starting the company and even after successfully setting it up.

📌 What This Blog Covers:  Every MCA form you need — from Day 1 of registration to annual compliance — for a Private Limited Company in India.

 

Table of Contents

Before You Begin: What You Need First

Before touching any form on the MCA portal, two things must be in place for every director and shareholder:

1. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A Class-3 DSC is mandatory for every proposed director and shareholder. It is used to electronically sign all MCA forms. Without a valid DSC, you cannot file anything on the MCA portal. Cost: approx.

2. Director Identification Number (DIN)

Every director must have a unique DIN issued by the MCA. DIN is automatically allotted when you file the SPICe+ form during incorporation (for up to 3 directors). If needed separately, file Form DIR-3 (fee: ₹500).

 

List of Forms  You Need WhileIncorporating a Private Limited Company in India

Under the Companies Act, 2013, incorporating a Private Limited Company is done entirely online through the MCA21 portal. The process revolves around a single master form called SPICe+, which bundles multiple registrations together. Here is every form involved:

Form Full Name What It Does When to File
SPICe+ Part A (INC-32) Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus — Part A Name reservation embedded in the incorporation form. Lets you apply for up to 2 name choices. Starting point of the entire incorporation process. At start of incorporation
SPICe+ Part B (INC-32) Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus — Part B The core incorporation form. Captures company structure, registered office address, director details, share capital, objects of the company, and DIN (up to 3 directors). After Part A is approved
INC-33 e-Memorandum of Association (e-MoA) The electronic MoA — defines the company’s objectives, scope of business, and authorised capital. Filed digitally alongside SPICe+. Along with SPICe+ Part B
INC-34 e-Articles of Association (e-AoA) The electronic AoA — defines internal governance rules, shareholder rights, and management structure. Along with SPICe+ Part B
INC-35 (AGILE-Pro) Application for GST, ESIC, EPFO, Bank Account, Shops & Establishment Registration Simultaneously apply for: GST Registration (GSTIN), EPFO, ESIC, Bank Account, MSME/Udyam Registration, and Professional Tax — all in one form. Along with SPICe+ Part B
INC-9 Declaration by Subscribers and First Directors Declaration by all proposed directors and shareholders confirming they are not disqualified and all information is correct. Filed on plain paper (no stamp paper needed). Along with SPICe+ Part B
DIR-2 Consent to Act as Director Each proposed director’s written consent to act as a director. Submitted as an attachment to SPICe+. Along with SPICe+ Part B

💡 Pro Tip:  SPICe+, INC-33, INC-34, INC-35, INC-9, and DIR-2 are all submitted together as one package on the MCA21 portal. Once processed, your company receives its Certificate of Incorporation (CIN), PAN, and TAN — all in one certificate.

 

Post-Incorporation: One Important Form You Must Not Miss

Form Full Name What It Does Deadline
INC-20A Declaration of Commencement of Business Confirms that all subscribers have paid their share subscription money. Bank statement required as proof. Until filed, the company cannot legally start operations or take loans. Within 180 days of incorporation

⚠ Do not miss this! If INC-20A is not filed within 180 days, the company faces a penalty of ₹50,000, and each director ₹1,000 per day of default.

 

List of Annual Compliance Forms for Private Limited Companies

Once your company is running, you must file these forms every year with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Missing deadlines can result in heavy penalties, director disqualification, or even strike-off of your company. Here is the complete deadline calendar, you need to follow on a yearly basis:

Form What You File Due Date Penalty
AOC-4 Financial Statements Filing. Submit your audited Balance Sheet, P&L, Cash Flow Statement, Auditor’s Report, and Board’s Report to the ROC. Even zero-business companies must file. Within 30 days of AGM (AGM by 30 September) ₹100 per day, no upper cap
MGT-7 / MGT-7A Annual Return. Captures shareholding pattern, directors, board meetings, changes in capital, and compliance details. Small companies (paid-up capital ≤ ₹4 Cr AND turnover ≤ ₹40 Cr) may file the simplified MGT-7A. Within 60 days of AGM ₹100 per day, no upper cap
ADT-1 Auditor Appointment. Informs the ROC of the appointment or reappointment of the statutory auditor. Mandatory at first AGM and then every 5 years. Within 15 days of AGM Penalty under Section 140(3)
DIR-3 KYC Director KYC Verification. Every DIN holder must verify their mobile number and email ID annually. Unchanged details: use DIR-3 KYC-Web (simpler). Changed details: file full e-form. By 30 September every year ₹5,000 late fee; DIN deactivated
DPT-3 Return of Deposits. Disclose all outstanding loans and deposits — including loans from directors, shareholders, or relatives — that are not public deposits. By 30 June every year (for data as of 31 March) Penalty under Section 73/76
MSME-1 Half-Yearly MSME Dues Report. If you have outstanding payments to MSME vendors beyond 45 days, you must report this. Filed twice a year. Within 30 days of end of each half-year (30 April & 31 October) ₹20,000 on company; daily fine on directors
ITR-6 All Private Limited Companies (and other companies) except those claiming exemption under Section 11 (charitable/religious trusts) 31st October 2026 Interest, late filing fees, and penalties under the Income Tax Act

 
GST Filings GST Returns Filing. Businesses registered under GST must file periodic returns such as GSTR-1 (outward supplies), GSTR-3B (summary return and tax payment), and annual return GSTR-9, depending on turnover and filing scheme. Even nil-return filers must comply if GST registration is active. Monthly / Quarterly / Annually depending on GST scheme and turnover. Late fee of ₹50 per day (₹20 for nil returns) plus 18% annual interest on unpaid GST liability

 

List of Additional Event-Based Forms (Filed When Needed)

These forms are not annual — they are triggered by specific events during the year:

Form Filed When
DIR-12 Appointment, resignation, or change of directors
INC-22 Change of registered office address
SH-7 Increase in authorised share capital
PAS-3 Allotment of new shares
MGT-14 Filing of board / special resolutions passed at meetings
CHG-1 Creation or modification of charge (loan against assets)

 

RBI / FEMA Reporting Forms (via FIRMS Portal — firms.rbi.org.in)

The list of formsa private limited company needs to file if they are doing any foreign investment;

Form Full Name What It Does Deadline
FC-GPR Foreign Currency – Gross Provisional Return Filed when your company issues shares or convertible instruments (equity, CCPS, CCDs) to a foreign investor. Must be filed after receiving remittance and allotting shares. FIRC and KYC of investor required. Within 30 days of allotment of shares
FC-TRS Foreign Currency – Transfer of Shares Filed when shares are transferred between a resident Indian and a non-resident (either direction — buy or sell). Covers secondary sales, buybacks from foreign investors, etc. Within 60 days of transfer of shares
FLA Return Foreign Liabilities and Assets Annual Return Annual return to RBI disclosing all outstanding foreign investment in the company — equity, debt, and other liabilities/assets with foreign entities. Mandatory for every company that has received FDI, even in prior years. By 15 July every year

 

(If your company’s accounts are not audited by July 15, you must still file the return using provisional (unaudited) numbers to avoid penalties.
ESOP Employee Stock Options (Foreign Employee Reporting) Required if your company issues ESOPs to a foreign national or NRI employee. Reports the details of options granted and exercised. Within 30 days of issuance
DI Form Downstream Investment Reporting Required if your FDI-funded company makes a downstream investment (invests into another Indian company). Reports the indirect foreign investment flowing through your company. Within 30 days of investment
CN Form Conversion to Equity Filed when outstanding dues — such as ECB, lump-sum fees, or royalties — are converted into equity shares for a foreign entity. Within 30 days of conversion

 

What happens if you don’t file ROC filings on time?

⚠ Key Penalties to Know: 

  • AOC-4 & MGT-7: ₹100 per day per form — with no maximum limit. A 6-month delay alone can cost ₹18,000 per form.
  • DIR-3 KYC: ₹5,000 flat late fee. Your DIN gets deactivated, meaning you legally cannot sign any company document until reactivated.
  • INC-20A (not filed): ₹50,000 on the company + ₹1,000 per day on each defaulting director.
  • Prolonged non-compliance: ROC can initiate strike-off proceedings under Section 248, and directors can be disqualified under Section 164(2) — barring them from all director roles for 5 years.

 

Compliance Is Not Optional

Whether you are just starting out or have been running your Private Limited Company for years, staying on top of MCA filings is non-negotiable. Missing deadlines doesn’t just mean penalties — it affects your company’s credibility with banks, investors, and future partners. All MCA filings are publicly accessible on the MCA21 portal, and a clean compliance record is a mark of a well-run business.

If this feels like a lot to manage on your own, it probably is — especially when Income Tax, GST, TDS, and payroll compliance are also running in parallel. That’s exactly where a professional firm steps in.

Need Help With Company Formation or Annual Compliance?

Our team at Mercurius, handles complete incorporation, annual ROC filings, GST, Tax, and more — across India and globally.

TALK TO OUR EXPERTS → masllp.com/contact 

 

How can Mercurius help?

At Mercurius, we help businesses simplify company incorporation and ongoing compliance in India. Our team of professionals can assist you with:

  • Private Limited Company Registration – End-to-end company incorporation support
  • DSC & DIN Registration – Helping directors obtain mandatory registrations
  • SPICe+ Filing Support – Filing all incorporation forms correctly
  • ROC Annual Compliance – AOC-4, MGT-7, ADT-1, DIR-3 KYC, DPT-3, MSME-1 filings
  • GST Registration & Compliance – Registration, returns, and advisory
  • Income Tax & TDS Compliance – Ongoing tax filings and reporting
  • Payroll & Accounting Support – Managing routine financial compliance
  • Event-Based MCA Filings – DIR-12, PAS-3, SH-7, INC-22, and more
  • Ongoing Compliance Advisory – Ensuring your business stays penalty-free

With 400+ professionals and 17+ years of experience, our firm supports businesses across India and in 60+ countries globally, making company setup and compliance simple, smooth, and stress-free.

 

Need help? Connect with our experts → masllp.com/contact

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Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. For specific guidance, consult a qualified Chartered Accountant or Company Secretary. | © 2026 Mercurius & Associates LLP — PCAOB Registered · ISO 9001:2015 Certified · TIAG Member