Companies Act 2013 · MCA Registered · 7+ Directors · Public Funds
Public Limited Company Registration India
Register a Public Limited Company (PLC) in India — the corporate structure for businesses aiming to raise public funds, issue shares to the public, or list on the stock exchange. Minimum 7 shareholders, 3 directors. Done by CA + CS in 15–25 days.
🏛️ IPO Ready📈 Raise Public Funds🔒 Limited Liability✅ MCA Registered
50,000+Clients
15–25 DaysRegistration
CA + CSExpert Team
Pan IndiaService
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PLC Basic
MCA incorporation for public companies — pre-IPO stage or large promoter-held companies
₹24,999 excl. GST
⏱ 15–20 working days
DSC for 3 Directors
DIN for all Directors
Name Approval (SPICe+ RUN)
MOA & AOA Drafting (Public Company)
SPICe+ Filing on MCA21
Certificate of Incorporation (COI) + CIN
PAN + TAN of Company
Most Popular
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PLC Complete
Full setup with GST, bank account, share certificates and post-incorporation filings
₹34,999 excl. GST
⏱ 20–25 working days
Everything in PLC Basic
GST Registration (GSTIN)
INC-20A (Commencement of Business)
Share Certificate Issuance
Statutory Registers Setup
First Board Meeting Minutes
Current Account Documentation
Free CA Consultation (60 min)
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PLC Annual Bundle
Registration + first year full compliance — all ROC filings, audit and tax return handled
₹59,999 excl. GST
⏱ Setup + 12-month support
Everything in PLC Complete
Statutory Audit by CA
AOC-4 + MGT-7 Filing
ITR-6 (Company Income Tax Return)
DIR-3 KYC for all Directors
Board Meetings + AGM Management
12 Months GST Filing (GSTR-1 + GSTR-3B)
📋 What Is a Public Limited Company
What is a Public Limited Company in India?
A Public Limited Company (PLC) is a company registered under the Companies Act 2013 that can offer its shares to the general public. It is governed by SEBI, MCA and stock exchange regulations. Ideal for large-scale fundraising, IPOs and public trust.
✅ Advantages of Public Limited Company
Can raise funds from the public through IPO, FPO and public deposits
Shares freely transferable — liquidity for shareholders through stock exchange
Limited liability — shareholders' personal assets fully protected
Perpetual succession — company exists independent of shareholders
Separate legal entity — can own property, sue and be sued independently
Greater public trust and corporate credibility for large contracts
No restriction on maximum number of shareholders (unlike Pvt Ltd's 200)
Can issue debentures, bonds and commercial paper to raise debt capital
ESOPs and sweat equity shares possible — attract top talent at scale
⚠️ Limitations of Public Limited Company
Minimum 7 shareholders, 3 directors required at all times
Mandatory Annual General Meeting (AGM) every year
Highest compliance burden — SEBI, MCA, stock exchange, FEMA
Statutory audit mandatory always — no threshold exemption
AOC-4, MGT-7, MGT-14, various Board resolutions and ROC filings
SEBI disclosures for listed companies — quarterly/half-yearly results
Cannot restrict share transfer (unlike Pvt Ltd which can in AoA)
Higher professional fees — CS required for secretarial compliance
Not suitable for small businesses — overkill for most founders
📋 Legal Requirements
Legal Requirements for Public Limited Company Registration
These are the mandatory statutory requirements under the Companies Act 2013 for incorporating and maintaining a Public Limited Company in India.
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MandatoryMinimum 7 Shareholders
A Public Limited Company must have at least 7 shareholders (subscribers to MOA) at the time of incorporation. There is no maximum limit on shareholders unlike Pvt Ltd (200 cap).
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MandatoryMinimum 3 Directors
Minimum 3 directors required. At least 1 must be an Independent Director (if listed) or as per Sec 149. At least 1 director must be a resident of India (>182 days).
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No minimum since 2015Paid-Up Capital
No minimum paid-up capital required since the Companies (Amendment) Act 2015. However, for listing on NSE/BSE, minimum net worth of ₹3 crore (SME exchange) is required.
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MandatoryRegistered Office in India
A registered office address in India is mandatory. Name of company must end with "Limited" (not "Pvt Ltd"). Registered office address must be verifiable with utility bill.
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MandatoryMOA & AOA
Memorandum and Articles of Association for a Public Company have different requirements from Pvt Ltd — AoA cannot restrict share transfer and must comply with Table F of the Companies Act.
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MandatoryDSC + DIN for Directors
Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate for all directors. DIN (Director Identification Number) — now allotted via SPICe+ for new directors. Existing DIN holders reuse their DIN.
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Within 30 daysFirst Board Meeting
First Board Meeting within 30 days of incorporation. Appoint first auditor, adopt statutory registers, appoint company secretary (if paid-up capital ≥₹5 crore).
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Within 180 daysINC-20A — Commencement
Declaration of commencement of business within 180 days. Penalty: ₹50,000 on company + ₹1,000/day on each defaulting director. Cannot borrow money before INC-20A.
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AnnuallyAGM — Annual General Meeting
AGM mandatory every year within 6 months of financial year end (by 30 September). First AGM within 9 months of first FY end. Listed companies have additional SEBI requirements.
⚙️ Registration Process
Public Limited Company Registration — Step by Step
TAXAJ CA + CS handles the entire MCA filing. You provide documents and decisions — we handle everything else and deliver your COI in 15–25 days.
1
DSC + DIN
Class 3 DSC for all 3+ directors. DIN allotted via SPICe+. Existing DIN holders reuse their number.
2
Name Approval
SPICe+ RUN (Reserve Unique Name) — 2 name options, must end with "Limited". Approval in 2–3 days.
3
MOA + AOA
CS drafts Memorandum and Articles. Public co AOA follows Table F format — cannot restrict share transfer.
4
SPICe+ Filing
CS files SPICe+ on MCA21 — 7 shareholders + 3 directors. PAN, TAN, GSTIN, EPFO/ESIC simultaneously.
5
COI Issued
Certificate of Incorporation with CIN issued by RoC. PAN + TAN from NSDL. Company is live.
6
Post-Incorporation
INC-20A, first board meeting, auditor appointment (ADT-1), share certificates, bank account opened.
📄 Documents Required
Documents Required for Public Limited Company Registration
Required from each director and shareholder. All soft copies accepted via WhatsApp — no physical office visit needed.
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PAN Card — All Directors & Shareholders
Mandatory for all 7 subscribers and 3 directors. Company itself gets a separate PAN from NSDL post incorporation.
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Aadhaar Card — All Directors
Aadhaar linked to active mobile. Required for DSC generation and MCA portal OTP for each director.
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Passport Size Photograph
Recent clear photo of each director. For foreign directors — passport copy used in place of Aadhaar.
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Email ID & Mobile — Each Director
Separate active email and mobile for each director. Required for MCA portal accounts and OTP verification.
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Residence Proof — Each Director
Bank statement or utility bill not older than 2 months as residential address proof for each director.
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Registered Office Proof
Electricity bill / property tax receipt (owned) or rent agreement + NOC + utility bill (rented). Must be in India.
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MOA Subscriber Consent
All 7 subscribers must sign the MOA and provide their occupation, address and share subscription details.
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Business Objects & Capital Structure
Description of business activities for MOA object clause + proposed authorised and paid-up capital structure.
📅 Annual Compliance
Public Limited Company — Annual Compliance Timeline
Public companies have the highest compliance burden of any business structure. TAXAJ tracks every deadline with automated alerts and handles all filings.
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Within 30 days of COI
First Board Meeting + Appoint Auditor (ADT-1)
First Board Meeting must be held within 30 days. Statutory auditor appointed — ADT-1 filed. Statutory registers opened (Register of Members, Register of Directors, etc.). Annual Filing →
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Within 60 days
Share Certificates + Capital Deposit
All subscribers deposit share capital in company bank account. Share certificates issued within 60 days. Non-compliance: penalty on company and defaulting officers.
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Within 180 days
INC-20A — Commencement of Business
Declaration that subscribers have deposited share capital. Penalty for non-filing: ₹50,000 on company + ₹1,000/day on defaulting directors. Cannot borrow before filing.
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30 September annually
AGM — Annual General Meeting
Mandatory AGM within 6 months of FY end. Table financial statements, declare dividends, appoint/reappoint directors, appoint auditor. No AGM: penalty on company and officers.
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30 September annually
DIR-3 KYC — All Directors
Annual KYC for each director's DIN. Non-filing deactivates DIN — director cannot sign any MCA form. ₹5,000 reactivation fee per DIN after September. DIR-3 KYC →
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30 October annually
AOC-4 — Financial Statements
Audited financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Director's Report, Auditor's Report) filed within 30 days of AGM. CS/CA certification mandatory. Annual Filing →
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29 November annually
MGT-7 — Annual Return
Annual Return with shareholder details, director changes, share capital, charges and more. CS certification mandatory for all Public Companies regardless of turnover. Late fee ₹100/day.
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31 October annually
ITR-6 — Company Income Tax Return
Public company files ITR-6 annually. Tax audit mandatory always. Taxed at 22% (Section 115BAA) or 25% (turnover <₹400 crore). Transfer pricing compliance for related party transactions.
📊 Tax Treatment
How is a Public Limited Company Taxed in India?
Public companies are taxed at corporate rates. Listed companies also have SEBI compliance obligations for disclosures, insider trading and related party transactions.
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Corporate Tax — ITR-6
Taxed at 22% if opting for Section 115BAA (no exemptions route) or 25% under Section 115BA (turnover <₹400 crore). New manufacturing companies: 15% under Section 115BAB. Plus 4% cess and applicable surcharge.
22%–25% + cess
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Dividend to Shareholders
Dividends paid to shareholders are taxable in shareholders' hands at their applicable income tax slab rates (post abolition of DDT in 2020). TDS at 10% on dividends exceeding ₹5,000 in a year.
Slab rate + 10% TDS
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Mandatory Audit — Always
Statutory audit by CA is mandatory for all public companies regardless of turnover or size. Tax audit under Section 44AB also applies always. Transfer pricing audit if international transactions.
No threshold — always
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Capital Gains — Shareholders
Listed shares: STCG taxed at 20% (held ≤12 months), LTCG at 12.5% above ₹1.25L (held >12 months). Unlisted shares: STCG at slab rate, LTCG at 12.5% with indexation removed.
Listed: 20% / 12.5%
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GST Compliance
GST registration mandatory if turnover >₹20L (goods) or ₹20L (services). GSTR-1 + GSTR-3B monthly. Annual GSTR-9 if turnover >₹2 crore. GST audit if turnover >₹5 crore.
Monthly returns
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SEBI & Listing Compliance
Listed companies: quarterly financial results, annual report, related party transaction disclosures, insider trading policy, SEBI LODR compliance, audit committee, nomination & remuneration committee.
SEBI LODR applies
⚖️ Comparison
Public Limited Company vs Pvt Ltd vs LLP — Full Comparison
Public Limited Company is the top-tier structure — maximum fundraising ability but maximum compliance. Most businesses start with Pvt Ltd and convert to Public Ltd before IPO.
| Feature | 🏛️ Public Ltd | 🏢 Pvt Ltd | ⚡ LLP | 👤 OPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Shareholders | 7 | 2 | 2 DPs | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 3 | 2 | 2 DPs | 1 |
| Max. Shareholders | Unlimited | 200 | Unlimited | 1 |
| Public Share Offer (IPO) | Yes — SEBI regulated | No | No | No |
| Share Transfer | Freely transferable | Restricted by AoA | Partner consent needed | No transfer |
| Company Secretary | Required if cap ≥₹5Cr | Required if cap ≥₹5Cr | Not required | Not required |
| Mandatory AGM | Yes — annually | Yes (can be exempted) | No | No |
| Annual MCA Filings | AOC-4+MGT-7+multiple | AOC-4+MGT-7 | Form 8+Form 11 only | AOC-4+MGT-7A (simpler) |
| Mandatory Audit | Always — no exemption | Always — no exemption | Only if T/O >₹40L | Always |
| Tax Rate | 22%–25% | 22%–25% | 30% flat | 22%–25% |
| SEBI Compliance | Yes (if listed) | No | No | No |
| Setup Cost | ₹24,999 – ₹60,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹5,999 – ₹16,000 | ₹7,999 – ₹18,000 |
| Best For | Large cos, IPO-bound, public fundraising | Startups, SMEs, VC-backed | Professionals, service firms | Solo founders |
🏆 Why TAXAJ
Why Businesses Trust TAXAJ for Public Company Registration
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Dedicated CA + CS Team
A Company Secretary and Chartered Accountant are assigned to handle all MCA filings, SEBI compliance and post-incorporation work.
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15-Day COI
DSC → DIN → RUN → SPICe+ → COI in 15–20 working days. All 7 subscriber and 3 director documents managed by TAXAJ.
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All-Inclusive Pricing
Government fees, DSC costs, MOA/AOA stamp duty all included. Clear package pricing with no invoice surprises.
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WhatsApp-First
Documents collected, draft MOA/AOA shared, COI delivered — all on WhatsApp. Dedicated group with CA+CS+client.
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Pan-India Coverage
State-specific stamp duty and RoC jurisdiction guidance. Offices in Delhi, Bangalore, Bihar, Goa for in-person signing.
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4 Physical Offices
Walk in to Delhi, Bangalore, Bihar or Goa offices for DSC generation, document notarisation and MOA signing.
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Zero MCA Rejections
All SPICe+ filings prepared by senior CS with zero rejection record. Name availability checked before submission.
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Full Lifecycle Support
AGM management, AOC-4, MGT-7, ITR-6, SEBI compliance, rights issue — TAXAJ handles the complete lifecycle.
📚 Complete Guide
Public Limited Company Registration — Complete Guide India 2025
Everything you need to know about Public Limited Company registration, compliance, IPO readiness and conversion from Pvt Ltd.
🏛️ What is a Public Limited Company and How to Register One in India?
A Public Limited Company (PLC) is a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 that can offer its shares to the general public and can be listed on recognised stock exchanges like NSE and BSE. Unlike a Private Limited Company → which is restricted to 200 shareholders and cannot invite public subscription, a Public Limited Company has no maximum shareholder limit and can raise capital from millions of investors through an IPO. The company name must end with "Limited" (not "Private Limited"). Minimum requirements: 7 shareholders, 3 directors, a registered office in India and a Company Secretary (if paid-up capital ≥₹5 crore). The registration process is identical to a Pvt Ltd company — SPICe+ form on MCA21 — but with a different MOA/AOA structure (Table F compliance) and more signatories. TAXAJ provides complete Public Limited Company registration → starting at ₹24,999 all-inclusive. A CA + CS team handles all MCA filings and delivers the Certificate of Incorporation with CIN in 15–25 working days.
📈 How to Convert a Pvt Ltd to Public Limited Company for IPO?
Most companies that go public follow this lifecycle: Proprietorship → Pvt Ltd → Public Ltd → Listed (IPO). Converting a Private Limited Company to a Public Limited Company is done under Section 14 of the Companies Act 2013. Conversion process: (1) Pass a Special Resolution (75% majority) in an Extraordinary General Meeting to alter MOA and AOA to remove the "Private" classification; (2) File Form MGT-14 with the special resolution within 30 days on MCA; (3) File Form INC-27 (Change of company type) on MCA; (4) ROC issues a new Certificate of Incorporation with "Limited" (removing "Private"); (5) Minimum shareholders must be increased to 7. Post-conversion: The company must appoint at least 3 directors, comply with Table F AoA requirements and file Form MGT-14 for any resolutions passed. Timeline: 30–45 days. Conversion does not affect existing contracts, bank accounts or GST registration. TAXAJ handles complete Pvt Ltd to Public Ltd conversion →. For an actual IPO, SEBI registration, DRHP filing and merchant banker appointment are additional steps — TAXAJ partners with SEBI-registered merchant bankers for SME IPOs on NSE Emerge and BSE SME platforms.
⚖️ Public Limited Company vs Private Limited Company — Key Differences
The key differences between a Public Ltd and Pvt Ltd company in India: Shareholders: Public Ltd — minimum 7, no maximum; Pvt Ltd — minimum 2, maximum 200. Directors: Public Ltd — minimum 3; Pvt Ltd — minimum 2. Share transfer: Public Ltd shares are freely transferable — cannot be restricted in AoA; Pvt Ltd shares can be and typically are restricted by AoA. Public subscription: Only a Public Ltd company can invite the public to subscribe to its shares, debentures or deposits. AGM: Both are required to hold AGMs; listed companies also have quarterly reporting to SEBI. Company Secretary: Mandatory for both if paid-up capital ≥₹5 crore. IPO: Only Public Ltd companies can go for an IPO on NSE or BSE. Word "Limited": Public companies must end with "Limited"; private companies end with "Private Limited". Prospectus: Public companies must issue a prospectus when offering shares to the public; private companies cannot. Compliance: Public Ltd has significantly higher compliance including SEBI LODR for listed companies. For most startups and SMEs, a Pvt Ltd is the better starting point → — convert to Public Ltd only when approaching IPO stage.
📊 Public Limited Company Registration Fees in India — Government Fees + Professional Fees
Government fees for Public Ltd registration depend on authorised capital. MCA filing fee (SPICe+): Up to ₹1L authorised capital → ₹5,000; ₹1L–₹5L → ₹15,000 approx; ₹5L–₹10L → ₹20,000 approx (fees are higher than Pvt Ltd due to the larger subscriber base). Stamp duty on MOA/AOA varies by state: Delhi — fixed amounts; Maharashtra — 0.2% of authorised capital; Karnataka — slab-based. TAXAJ Professional Fees: PLC Basic ₹24,999 (DSC ×3, DIN, RUN, MOA/AOA, SPICe+, COI, PAN, TAN). PLC Complete ₹34,999 (adds GST, INC-20A, share certificates, board meeting minutes, statutory registers). PLC Annual Bundle ₹59,999 (adds first year audit, AOC-4, MGT-7, ITR-6, AGM management, DIR-3 KYC, 12 months GST). All prices are all-inclusive — government fees and stamp duty guided transparently. Get started →
🔗 Related Services
Everything Your Public Limited Company Needs — TAXAJ Covers It
From incorporation to IPO readiness, annual compliance and beyond — TAXAJ's CA + CS team manages it all.
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PLC Compliances
AOC-4 + MGT-7 + AGM
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Annual Filing
ROC forms yearly
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ITR-6 Filing
Company tax return
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GST Registration
GSTIN for company
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Convert to Pub Ltd
From Pvt Ltd
®
Trademark
Protect brand
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DIR-3 KYC
Annual director KYC
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DSC Certificate
For MCA filing
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MSME / Udyam
If SME company
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TDS Compliance
TAN + quarterly
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LLP Registration
Lower compliance
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Consult a CA
Free 15-min call
❓ FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions — Public Limited Company
A Public Limited Company requires: Minimum 7 shareholders (subscribers to the MOA at incorporation — these can include the promoters and other initial investors); Minimum 3 directors (at least 1 must be a resident of India — stayed >182 days in India during the preceding financial year). A listed Public Company must also have at least 1 Independent Director (up to 1/3rd of board under SEBI LODR). A Company Secretary must be appointed if the paid-up share capital is ₹5 crore or more. There is no maximum limit on shareholders for a Public Limited Company. Register now →
TAXAJ packages: PLC Basic ₹24,999 (DSC ×3, DIN, RUN, MOA/AOA drafting, SPICe+ filing, COI, PAN, TAN). PLC Complete ₹34,999 (adds GST, INC-20A, share certificates, statutory registers, first board meeting minutes, bank documentation). PLC Annual Bundle ₹59,999 (adds first-year statutory audit, AOC-4, MGT-7, ITR-6, AGM management, DIR-3 KYC, 12 months GST filing). Government fees and stamp duty on MOA/AOA (₹5,000–₹25,000 depending on state and authorised capital) are included and guided transparently.
Key differences: Shareholders — Public Ltd: min 7, no max; Pvt Ltd: min 2, max 200. Directors — Public Ltd: min 3; Pvt Ltd: min 2. Share transfer — Public Ltd shares are freely transferable; Pvt Ltd shares can be restricted in AoA. Public funding — Only Public Ltd can invite public to subscribe to shares/deposits. IPO — Only Public Ltd can list on NSE/BSE. AGM — Both must hold AGM annually; listed Public Ltd has additional SEBI quarterly reporting. Word in name — Public Ltd ends with "Limited"; Pvt Ltd ends with "Private Limited". Compliance — Public Ltd has significantly higher compliance and professional fees than Pvt Ltd.
Yes — this is the primary distinction of a Public Limited Company. It can raise funds through: (1) IPO (Initial Public Offering) — first-time public offer of shares; (2) FPO (Follow-on Public Offer) — additional shares offered to the public post-listing; (3) Rights Issue — additional shares offered to existing shareholders; (4) Public Deposits — accepting fixed deposits from the public (subject to RBI guidelines); (5) Debentures and Bonds — debt instruments issued to the public. Only SEBI-registered Public Limited Companies can do IPOs. TAXAJ assists with pre-IPO structure, including conversion from Pvt Ltd to Public Ltd and SME IPO on NSE Emerge / BSE SME.
Annual compliance for Public Limited Company: DIR-3 KYC by 30 September; AGM by 30 September (within 6 months of FY end); AOC-4 (financial statements) by 30 October; MGT-7 (annual return — CS certificate mandatory) by 29 November; ITR-6 by 31 October; Statutory Audit (mandatory always, no threshold); GST returns monthly; Board Meetings — minimum 4 per year. Listed companies also need quarterly financial results, annual report to SEBI, insider trading compliance, related party disclosure and audit committee meetings. View full calendar →
Conversion from Pvt Ltd to Public Ltd: (1) Pass a Special Resolution (75%+ majority) in EGM to alter MOA and AOA; (2) File Form MGT-14 on MCA with the resolution within 30 days; (3) File Form INC-27 (Change of company type) on MCA; (4) ROC issues a revised COI with "Limited" replacing "Private Limited"; (5) Increase shareholders to minimum 7 and directors to minimum 3. The conversion does not affect existing CIN (though prefix changes from "U" remains same), bank accounts, GST, contracts or employees. Timeline: 30–45 days. TAXAJ handles the complete conversion process. For an actual IPO thereafter, SEBI registration, DRHP, merchant banker appointment and NSE/BSE application are additional separate steps.
Register Your Public Limited Company — CA + CS Team Handles Everything
7 Subscribers · 3 Directors · MOA/AOA · SPICe+ · COI · PAN · TAN — all-inclusive ₹24,999. Done in 15–25 days. Pan-India.
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