A Public Limited Company (PLC) is one of the most popular business structures in India for companies looking to raise capital from the public. It enjoys separate legal status, limited liability, and the ability to issue shares to the general public through stock exchanges. However, registering a Public Limited Company requires following a detailed legal process under the Companies Act, 2013.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of registering a Public Limited Company in India, along with compliance requirements, documentation, and key considerations.

What is a Public Limited Company?

A Public Limited Company (PLC) is a business entity that:
✔️ Is registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
✔️ Requires a minimum of 3 Directors and 7 Shareholders (No upper limit on shareholders).
✔️ Has limited liability for its shareholders.
✔️ Can issue shares to the general public and get listed on stock exchanges.
✔️ Has a separate legal identity from its owners.
✔️ Must comply with SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) regulations if it plans to go public.

Examples of Public Limited Companies:

• Reliance Industries Ltd.
• Tata Motors Ltd.
• Infosys Ltd.

Step-by-Step Process to Register a Public Limited Company in India

1️⃣ Obtain Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Since all company registrations in India are done online through the MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) portal, the proposed directors and shareholders must have a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for electronically signing documents.

📌 Steps to Obtain DSC:

1. Apply through certified agencies (e.g., eMudhra, Sify, NSDL).
2. Submit identity proof (Aadhar Card, PAN Card).
3. Receive your Class 2 or Class 3 DSC with a validity of 1-3 years.

2️⃣ Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN)

Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique number assigned to directors of a company by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

📌 How to Apply for DIN:
✔️ If applying during incorporation: File SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically) form on the MCA portal.
✔️ If applying separately: Use DIR-3 form with personal details of the director.
✔️ Approval takes around 7-10 working days.

3️⃣ Name Reservation through RUN (Reserve Unique Name)

Your Public Limited Company must have a unique name that follows the naming guidelines set by MCA.

📌 Steps to Reserve a Name:
✔️ File the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) form on the MCA portal.
✔️ Provide two name choices (ensure they are unique and not similar to existing company names).
✔️ The name must include “Limited” at the end (e.g., XYZ Limited).
✔️ MCA approves or rejects the name within 2-3 working days.

4️⃣ Draft and File MOA & AOA

The two most important legal documents of a company are:

📌 Memorandum of Association (MOA): Defines the company’s objectives, business scope, and purpose.
📌 Articles of Association (AOA): Defines the company’s internal rules, governance structure, and rights of shareholders.

✔️ These documents must be signed by all shareholders in the presence of a professional (CA, CS, or Advocate).

5️⃣ File Incorporation Application (SPICe+ Form)

To officially register your Public Limited Company, you must submit the SPICe+ Form on the MCA portal.

📌 Details Required in SPICe+ Form:
✔️ Company Name Approval Reference
✔️ Registered Office Address
✔️ Director and Shareholder Details
✔️ Authorized and Paid-up Share Capital
✔️ MOA & AOA Attachments
✔️ Declaration from Directors (Form INC-9)

📌 Processing Time: MCA processes the application within 7-10 days.

6️⃣ Get Certificate of Incorporation (COI)

Once your application is verified, MCA issues the Certificate of Incorporation (COI), which officially establishes your Public Limited Company.

Details on COI:
✔️ Company Identification Number (CIN)
✔️ Company Name
✔️ Date of Incorporation
✔️ Registered Office Address

Post-Incorporation Compliance for Public Limited Companies

Once your company is registered, you must comply with several legal and financial regulations:

✔️ Apply for PAN & TAN: Required for tax purposes.
✔️ Open a Bank Account: Use the COI, MOA, and AOA to open a corporate bank account.
✔️ Obtain GST Registration: Mandatory if annual turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh (₹20 lakh for services).
✔️ Issue Share Certificates: Share certificates must be distributed to shareholders within 2 months of incorporation.
✔️ Appoint an Auditor: A statutory auditor must be appointed within 30 days.
✔️ File Annual Returns: Mandatory filing of MGT-7 (Annual Return) and AOC-4 (Financial Statements).

Documents Required for Public Limited Company Registration

✔️ Director’s PAN Card and Aadhaar Card
✔️ Address Proof (Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License)
✔️ Utility Bills (Electricity/Water Bill) of the Registered Office
✔️ Rental Agreement (if the office is on rent)
✔️ Consent of Directors (DIR-2 Form)
✔️ MOA & AOA Signed by All Shareholders
✔️ Bank Statements of Directors & Shareholders

Cost of Registering a Public Limited Company in India

Advantages of Registering a Public Limited Company

✔️ Limited Liability Protection: Shareholders’ liability is limited to their shares.
✔️ Separate Legal Entity: Company and its owners are separate entities.
✔️ Easy Capital Raising: Can issue shares to the public.
✔️ Credibility & Trust: More transparency, attracting investors and lenders.
✔️ Business Expansion Opportunities: Can be listed on stock exchanges.

Disadvantages of Public Limited Companies

❌ Stringent Compliance: More legal formalities than private firms.
❌ High Cost of Formation: Expensive compared to other business structures.
❌ Loss of Ownership: As shares are publicly traded, the original founders may lose control.

Conclusion

A Public Limited Company is an ideal business structure for those planning to raise capital through public investment. However, it requires strict compliance with MCA, SEBI, and Stock Exchange norms.

🔹 The registration process involves obtaining DSC, DIN, name approval, and filing incorporation documents.
🔹 Post-registration, companies must ensure timely audits, tax filings, and annual compliance.

To avoid legal complications and ensure a smooth registration process, it’s best to seek professional assistance. ASK ASSOCIATES can help you handle everything from documentation to compliance, making the registration process hassle-free.

📞 Contact us today to register your Public Limited Company effortlessly!