How to Change a Company Name in India Step by Step Process Forms and Timeline

Many companies reach a point where their registered name no longer fits — a rebrand, a shift in what the business does, a change in ownership, or simply a better name. Directors and business owners who want to make the change are often unsure where to start, and worried it will be a long, disruptive legal process.

The good news is that changing a company’s name in India is a well-defined process, and it does not create a new company or disturb your existing business. Your company keeps the same identity, the same registration and the same contracts — only the name on them changes. The steps do have to be followed in the right order and within set deadlines, which is where most confusion arises.

This guide explains clearly: whether you can change your name, the common reasons, the step-by-step process with forms and fees, the timeline, what to update afterwards, and the mistakes to avoid.

 

Table of Contents

Can a company change its name?

Yes. A company can change its name at any time after incorporation, as long as the shareholders approve it, and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) grants approval. This applies to a Private Limited Company, a Public Limited Company, a One Person Company (OPC) and a Section 8 company.

An important point that worries many owners: changing the name does not create a new company. All existing rights, contracts, assets and liabilities continue unchanged — only the name is updated. The change is governed by Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013.Common Reasons to Change a Company Name

A company may want a new name for many reasons, and understanding why helps you plan the change and the documents you will need:

  • Rebranding: as a business grows, its original name may no longer match the brand it has built, or the customers it now serves. A name change aligns the legal identity with the market position, marketing and website, so everything speaks with one voice.
  • A change in business activity: many companies start doing something different from what they were set up for — moving from trading to manufacturing or adding services the old name never suggested. When the name no longer describes what the company does, changing it avoids confusing customers and regulators.
  • A change in ownership or management: when a company is acquired, merges, or brings in new promoters, the new owners often want a fresh identity that reflects the new direction and removes any link to the previous owners.
  • Improving or correcting the name: an original name may be hard to spell, easy to confuse with another business, too narrow, or outdated. Companies also rename to sound more professional, shorten a long name, or fix a spelling that has caused problems.
  • Legal or trademark reasons: a company may be asked to change its name if it is too similar to an existing company or a registered trademark, or if it wants to protect a new brand it is building. Changing the name early avoids disputes and objections later.
  • Expansion into new markets: a name that worked locally may not travel well to new regions or countries, so companies going national or global often adopt one that is easier to use and register across markets.

 

Step-By-Step Process to Change a Company Name

The name change follows a clear sequence under the MCA’s V3 portal:

Step 1: Hold a board meeting: The board meets to approve the proposed name change, authorize an application to reserve the new name, and call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of shareholders.

Step 2: Reserve the new name (RUN): The company applies through the Reserve Unique Name (RUN) service on the MCA portal, suggesting up to two names with the reason for the change. The Registrar checks against existing company names and registered trademarks. An approved name is reserved for 60 days.

Step 3: Pass a special resolution at the EGM: Shareholders meet, on 21 clear days’ notice, and pass a special resolution approving the new name and the change to the Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA and AOA). A special resolution needs at least 75% of the votes.

Step 4: File Form MGT-14. The special resolution is filed with the Registrar in Form MGT-14 within 30 days of the EGM. This records the resolution and the change to the MOA and AOA.

Step5: File Form INC-24: The company then files Form INC-24 to seek Central Government approval for the name change, quoting the MGT-14 reference. It must be digitally signed and certified by a practicing Company Secretary or Chartered Accountant.

Step 6: Receive the fresh Certificate of Incorporation: Once satisfied, the Registrar issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation in Form INC-25 with the new name. The name change is effective from the date on this certificate — not the date of the resolution.

 

Forms, Fees and Timeline

The process uses four main forms:

Form Purpose Deadline / note
RUN Reserve the new name Reserved for 60 days; fee Rs. 1,000
MGT-14 File the special resolution Within 30 days of the EGM
INC-24 Apply for Central Government approval Fee Rs. 1,000–20,000 by capital
INC-25 Fresh Certificate of Incorporation issued Effective date of the new name

Start to finish, the process usually takes about 10 to 25 working days, depending on ROC processing time and the accuracy of the documents.

Not sure which fee slab applies to your company? The INC-24 fee depends on your authorised capital, and the timeline depends on getting every filing right the first time.

At Mercurius, we handle the full process end-to-end — so you know the exact cost upfront and avoid the delays that come from errors. Contact us for a clear quote and timeline for your name change.

 

Required Documents for Alteration/Change of Company Name

  • Certified copy of the board resolution
  • Certified copy of the special resolution passed at the EGM
  • Notice of the EGM with the explanatory statement
  • Updated MOA and AOA reflecting the new name
  • Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the authorised director
  • Where the name change reflects a new business activity, a Chartered Accountant’s certificate on turnover from that activity
  • Any approval needed if the name contains restricted or regulated words

 

What to update after the name change?

Once you receive the fresh Certificate of Incorporation, the new name must be updated everywhere the company is recorded:

  • The Certificate of Incorporation, MOA and AOA (already amended in the process)
  • PAN and TAN with the Income Tax Department (the numbers stay the same; only the name is updated)
  • GST registration and other tax records
  • Bank accounts and cheque books
  • Licenses, registrations and regulatory approvals
  • Business letterhead, invoices, stamps, signage and the company website
  • Ongoing contracts and agreements

Every official document and the company name board must show the new name, so plan these updates promptly after the certificate is issued.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

At Mercurius, we handle name changes for many clients, and we often see them run into the same few mistakes — the ones listed below. When you know them in advance, they are easy to avoid, and our team makes sure none of them trip up your name change:Not checking name and trademark availability first, leading to rejection at the RUN stage.

  • Missing the 30-day deadline to file MGT-14 after the resolution, which attracts additional fees.
  • Letting the 60-day name reservation lapse before filing INC-24, which means starting the RUN step (and fee) again.
  • Incomplete or mismatched documents between the MGT-14 and INC-24 filings.

 

How the Process Differs for an LLP

The steps above apply to companies. A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) changes its name through a different route — with partner consent, name reservation, and filing Form 5 with the Registrar, rather than INC-24. The idea is similar, but the forms and governing rules differ, so an LLP should follow the LLP-specific process.

 

How Mercurius Can Help

Changing a company’s name is straightforward when the steps are handled in the right order and within the deadlines — and easy to get wrong when they are not. At Mercurius, we manage the entire process: drafting the board and special resolutions, reserving the new name, filing MGT-14 and INC-24, amending the MOA and AOA, and obtaining the fresh Certificate of Incorporation — followed by updating your PAN, TAN and GST records so nothing is missed.

Contact us to change your company name smoothly and correctly.

Phone: +91 96677 79615 | Email: info@masllp.com | Website: masllp.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does changing a company name create a new company?
No. The company keeps the same CIN, the same PAN, and all its existing rights and obligations. Only the name changes.

2. How long does a company name change take?
Usually about 10 to 25 working days, depending on ROC processing time and the accuracy of the documents.

3. Do the CIN and PAN change with the name?
No. Both stay the same — only the name linked to them is updated.

4. Which companies can change their name?
A Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, One Person Company and Section 8 company can all change their name, with shareholder and MCA approval.

5. When does the new name take effect?
From the date on the fresh Certificate of Incorporation (Form INC-25), not the date the resolution was passed.