What a Private Limited company actually costs to register in 2026
The honest breakdown — what the government really charges, what you spend on digital signatures and stamp duty, and why “register for ₹1,999” is never the full story.
The short answer
For a standard startup — two directors and authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh — the Ministry of Corporate Affairs charges nothing to incorporate the company, and nothing for your PAN and TAN. So the real cost of a Private Limited company isn’t the “registration fee” you see advertised.
It comes down to four things: digital signatures for the directors, the name reservation, your state’s stamp duty on the incorporation documents, and the professional fee for getting the filing right. Add those up and a genuine, all-inclusive Pvt Ltd registration in 2026 lands around ₹7,999 — not the ₹1,999 that becomes ₹9,000 by the time you pay.
Where the money actually goes
Every component of a 2026 incorporation, with the government-set amounts separated from professional fees.
| Component | Typical 2026 amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Signature (DSC) | ₹1,500–2,500 / director | Class 3 signature; every director and subscriber needs one |
| Director DIN | ₹0 | Issued inside SPICe+ for up to three directors |
| Name reservation | ₹1,000 | SPICe+ Part A; covers two name choices |
| MCA incorporation fee | ₹0 up to ₹15L capital | Government fee waived for small companies |
| Stamp duty (MoA/AoA) | Varies by state | Set by your state, not the MCA — see below |
| PAN & TAN | ₹0 | Auto-issued with your Certificate of Incorporation |
| Professional fee | ₹5,000–15,000 (market) | Drafting, filing and follow-up |
Why the government fee is ₹0 for most startups
Three reasons a new company pays far less to the MCA than people expect.
Capital up to ₹15 lakh
The MCA dropped the incorporation filing fee to zero for companies with authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh — which covers almost every new startup.
PAN & TAN included
Both are issued automatically with your Certificate of Incorporation through SPICe+. No separate application and no separate fee.
DIN inside SPICe+
Director Identification Numbers for up to three directors are allotted during incorporation — you don’t pay or apply for them separately.
Stamp duty is the part that changes by state
Stamp duty on the MoA and AoA is charged by your state government, so the same company costs a little more or less depending on where it is registered. Maharashtra and Delhi are typically a few hundred rupees on ₹1 lakh of capital; states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab run higher. Chhattisgarh sits on the modest side.
It scales with your authorised capital, not your turnover — so keeping authorised capital sensible (many startups begin at ₹1 lakh) keeps stamp duty low without limiting how much you can actually invest.
The ApplyLegal price
One number, quoted up front — professional fee plus standard government charges for a standard two-director company.
Name approval & SPICe+ · 2 DSC + 2 DIN · MoA, AoA & Certificate of Incorporation · PAN, TAN & bank-account kit.
You deal with the same people from name approval to your first current account — not a ticket queue. If a Private Limited isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you before you pay: an LLP or proprietorship can be cheaper to start and run.