Registering a private limited company in India in 2026 usually costs about ₹9,000 to ₹12,000 in total for two directors and ₹1 lakh of authorised capital. The MCA incorporation fee is nil for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh, so the main costs are the name reservation fee (₹1,000), state stamp duty on the MoA and AoA, a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for each director, and the professional fee. CorpBridge's professional fee starts at ₹1,499 + GST, with DSCs at ₹3,000 per director and government fees at actuals.
Most founders see a headline price like ₹1,499 and wonder what the final bill will be. The honest answer is that registering a company has four parts: the professional fee, the government fee, the stamp duty set by your state, and a digital signature for each director. Here is what each one costs in 2026, and how to work out your own total.
The four parts of the cost
| Part | Typical amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional fee (drafting, filing, follow-up) | From ₹1,499 + 18% GST at CorpBridge | Your service provider |
| Name reservation (SPICe+ Part A) | ₹1,000 | Ministry of Corporate Affairs |
| Incorporation fee (SPICe+ Part B) | Nil up to ₹15 lakh authorised capital | Ministry of Corporate Affairs |
| Stamp duty on MoA and AoA | Varies by state, usually a few hundred to a few thousand rupees | State government |
| Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) | ₹3,000 per director at CorpBridge | Certifying authority |
| DIN for directors | Nil for up to 3 directors applied for in SPICe+ | Ministry of Corporate Affairs |
| PAN and TAN | Applied for in the same SPICe+ filing, at a nominal charge | Income Tax Department |
1. Government fee: nil for most small companies
Under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014, there is no incorporation fee for a company with authorised capital of up to ₹15 lakh. Most startups begin with ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh of authorised capital, so they pay nothing here. If you choose a higher authorised capital, a fee applies and it rises with the capital, so it is worth starting small and increasing capital later when you raise money.
You do pay ₹1,000 to reserve your company name through Part A of the SPICe+ form. If the Registrar rejects both proposed names, you pay again for a new application, so a quick name check before filing saves money. The free trademark name search is a good first test, because a name that clashes with a registered trademark is a common reason for rejection.
2. Stamp duty: set by your state
The Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA) attract stamp duty under your state's stamp law, paid online during the SPICe+ filing. The amount depends on the state where the registered office is and on the authorised capital. For ₹1 lakh of capital it is a few hundred rupees in some states and a few thousand in others, with states such as Gujarat and Kerala at the higher end.
Because rates change by state notification, we confirm the exact stamp duty for your state and capital before you pay. Nothing is added later without your approval.
3. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Every director signs the incorporation forms digitally, so each one needs a Class 3 DSC. A private limited company needs at least two directors, so two DSCs; an OPC needs one; an LLP needs one for each designated partner, usually two. At CorpBridge a DSC costs ₹3,000 per person. It is issued after a short online video verification, usually the same day, and stays valid for later filings such as annual returns.
4. Professional fee
The professional fee covers checking your name, drafting the MoA and AoA, preparing and filing SPICe+ and AGILE-PRO-S (which also registers you with EPFO and ESIC), handling any resubmission the Registrar asks for, and delivering the certificate of incorporation, PAN and TAN. CorpBridge charges from ₹1,499 + GST for a private limited company or OPC and ₹1,299 + GST for an LLP.
Worked example: a two-director private limited company
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| CorpBridge professional fee | ₹1,499 |
| GST at 18% on the professional fee | ₹270 |
| 2 DSCs at ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Name reservation (SPICe+ Part A) | ₹1,000 |
| Incorporation fee (capital up to ₹15 lakh) | Nil |
| Stamp duty and PAN/TAN charges (Haryana, approximate) | About ₹300 to ₹500 |
| Approximate total | About ₹9,100 to ₹9,300 |
In a state with higher stamp duty the total can be a few thousand rupees more. If your directors already have valid DSCs, you save ₹3,000 for each one.
Private limited vs OPC vs LLP: cost at a glance
| Private limited | One Person Company | LLP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional fee | ₹1,499 + GST | ₹1,499 + GST | ₹1,299 + GST |
| DSCs needed | 2 (₹6,000) | 1 (₹3,000) | 2 designated partners (₹6,000) |
| Name reservation | ₹1,000 (SPICe+ Part A) | ₹1,000 (SPICe+ Part A) | RUN-LLP fee |
| Government filing fee | Nil up to ₹15 lakh capital | Nil up to ₹15 lakh capital | ₹500 for contribution up to ₹1 lakh (FiLLiP) |
| Stamp duty | On MoA and AoA, by state | On MoA and AoA, by state | On the LLP agreement, by state |
| Best for | Startups planning to raise investment | A single founder who wants limited liability | Professionals and partners with low compliance needs |
Not sure which structure fits? Read our comparison of private limited vs LLP vs OPC.
First-year costs founders often forget
- Auditor appointment within 30 days of incorporation (Form ADT-1), and the auditor's fee for the year.
- Commencement of business declaration (Form INC-20A) within 180 days, once shareholders have paid for their shares.
- Annual ROC filing (AOC-4 and MGT-7) after the first financial year. See annual ROC filing.
- Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC) each year for every director. See director KYC.
- GST registration if your turnover crosses the threshold or you sell across states or online. See GST registration.
- Trademark for your brand name, because a company name is not a trademark. See trademark registration.
How to keep the cost down
- Start with authorised capital of ₹15 lakh or less, so the incorporation fee stays nil.
- Check your name before filing, so you pay the ₹1,000 name fee only once.
- Reuse valid DSCs if your directors already have them.
- Ask for the full quote in writing, with government fees, stamp duty and DSC shown separately, before you pay anything.
Get an exact quote
Tell us your state, number of directors and planned capital, and we will send a written proposal with every charge listed separately: our fee, government fee, stamp duty and DSC. Any other additional charges are billed separately and only with your approval. See private limited company registration, OPC registration or LLP registration, or book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total cost of registering a private limited company in India in 2026?
For two directors and ₹1 lakh of authorised capital, the total is usually about ₹9,000 to ₹12,000: the professional fee and GST, ₹1,000 for name reservation, two DSCs, and state stamp duty. The MCA incorporation fee is nil for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh.
Is there a government fee for company incorporation in India?
There is no incorporation fee for companies with authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014. You still pay ₹1,000 for name reservation through SPICe+ Part A, and state stamp duty on the MoA and AoA.
How much does a DSC cost for company registration?
Each director needs a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate. At CorpBridge a DSC costs ₹3,000 per person, so a private limited company with two directors needs ₹6,000 for DSCs.
Why does stamp duty differ from state to state?
Stamp duty on the MoA and AoA is charged under each state's stamp law, so the amount depends on the state of the registered office and the authorised capital. It is paid online during the SPICe+ filing.
Is an LLP cheaper to register than a private limited company?
The registration cost is similar. An LLP pays a filing fee based on contribution (₹500 for up to ₹1 lakh) plus stamp duty on the LLP agreement, and still needs DSCs for its designated partners. The bigger saving with an LLP is lower ongoing compliance.
What is included in CorpBridge's ₹1,499 company registration fee?
Name check, drafting of the MoA and AoA, filing of SPICe+ and AGILE-PRO-S, handling any resubmission, and delivery of the certificate of incorporation, PAN and TAN. Government fees, stamp duty and DSCs (₹3,000 per director) are charged separately, and any other additional charges are billed separately with your approval.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and thresholds change; speak to an expert about your situation.