Company Incorporation Cost in India 2026 — Full Breakdown
The cost of registering a company in India is more than just the government fee. Budgeting properly means accounting for digital signatures, stamp duty, professional fees and the first year of compliance. Here is a full breakdown for a private limited company in 2026 — and where a foreign parent’s costs differ.
For an exact, itemised figure, use our MCA fee calculator (foreign parents can use the foreign subsidiary setup cost estimator).
1. Government filing fee — often zero
Incorporation via SPICe+ carries no MCA filing fee for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh, which covers most startups. Above that, the standard registration fee applies per the capital slab.
2. Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)
Each director needs a Class-3 DSC, roughly ₹1,000–₹2,000 per director. Foreign directors also need an apostilled passport to obtain one.
3. Stamp duty on MoA/AoA
Stamp duty on the incorporation documents is charged by the state of the registered office and varies with authorised capital — so two companies with the same capital can pay different amounts in different states.
4. Professional fees
CA/CS fees for name reservation, drafting the MoA/AoA, filing SPICe+ and handling PAN/TAN and the bank account. This is where most of the real cost sits for a small company.
5. First-year compliance
Budget for the statutory audit, accounting, the ROC annual filings (AOC-4, MGT-7, ADT-1) and GST registration if applicable — track these on our ROC due date calculator. A company must file annually even with zero turnover.
What a foreign parent pays extra
A wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign company adds apostille/notarisation of the parent’s documents, FC-GPR filing with the RBI within 30 days of share allotment, and the annual FLA return. Our foreign subsidiary estimator itemises these.
How TAXAJ helps
TAXAJ registers private limited companies, LLPs and foreign subsidiaries end to end — incorporation, DSC, first-year compliance and beyond. Start with the fee calculator or talk to us about company registration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a private limited company in India?
The MCA filing fee is nil up to ₹15 lakh authorised capital; the real cost is DSCs (₹1,000–₹2,000 per director), state stamp duty on the MoA/AoA, professional fees, and first-year compliance. Use the MCA fee calculator for the government portion.
Is government fee charged for company incorporation?
No MCA filing fee for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh. Stamp duty (state-based) and DSC costs still apply.
What extra does a foreign subsidiary cost?
Apostille of the parent’s documents, FC-GPR filing with the RBI within 30 days of allotment, and the annual FLA return, on top of the normal incorporation costs.
TAXAJ registers companies and foreign subsidiaries across India. Calculate the fees or book a consultation.
