A company is registered in accordance with the Companies Act and is a separate legal entity, distinct from both its shareholders, directors and managers. The liability of the shareholders is limited to the amount paid or unpaid on issued share capital. A company has perpetual existence. The owners and management is separated. The Companies Act, 1956 does, however, place many restrictions on the company for the compliance. It must maintain certain books of accounts, registers, and file an annual return, annual compliance with the registrar of companies which includes the accounts as well as details of directors and mortgages.
Types of Companies
There are three types of companies keeping in view their nature, which is outlined below
Companies with Limited Liability
Companies, where the liability of its members is limited to the extent of amount unpaid on the shares, held by them in the Company. For e.g. A has purchased 10 shares of Rs 10/each and therefore his total liability towards the company is limited only upto Rs 1000. Generally, more than 90% of the companies are incorporated with limited liability.
Companies with Unlimited Liability
Company with unlimited liability is just like partnerships, where the liability of partners is unlimited and may extend to their personal assets. In case of such companies, the liability of its member is unlimited for the purpose of all the liabilities. This type of company is generally, not popular form of business organization.
Company limited by Guarantees
- Only units approved under SEZ scheme would be permitted to be located in SEZ.
- The SEZ units shall abide by local laws, rules, regulations or bye-laws in regard to area planning, sewerage disposal, pollution control and the like. They shall also comply with industrial and labour laws as may be locally applicable.
- Such SEZ shall make security arrangements to fulfill all the requirements of the laws, rules and procedures applicable to such SEZ.
- The SEZ should have a minimum area of 1000 hectares and at least 25 % of the area is to be earmarked for developing industrial area for setting up of units.
- Minimum area of 1000 hectares will not be applicable to product specific and port/airport based SEZs.
- Wherever the SEZs are landlocked, an Inland Container Depot (ICD) will be an integral part of SEZs.
- Detailed guidelines on setting up of SEZ in the Private/Joint/State Sector is given in Appendix 14-II.N of Handbook of Procedures Volume I.
The aforesaid companies are further classified into the following:
One Person Company
The concept of One Person Company [OPC] is a new vehicle/form of business, introduced by The Companies Act, 2013 [No.18 of 2013], thereby enabling Entrepreneur(s) carrying on the business in the Sole-Proprietor form of business in a corporate Framework.
One Person Company is a hybrid of Sole-Proprietor and Company form of business, and has been provided with concessional/relaxed requirements under the Act.
Procedure in brief:
- Obtaining DIN and DSC for the proposed director. (Mandatory)
- Applying for company name approval.
- Drafting and stamping of MOA and AOA.
- Submission of documents and obtaining of Certificate of Incorporation.
Requirements for obtaining DIN and DSC:
- Copy of PAN card.
- Copy of address proof (voter's ID card; telephone bill; electricity bill; residential agreement; bank statement; passport).
- 5 Photographs (passport size).
- DIR 4 (verification document)
- Personal details--Details of own name and father's name as appearing in PAN (no abbreviations allowed), occupation, educational qualification, place of birth, mobile number, email id;
Information required for DIN
Applicant's Name |
First Name |
Middle Name |
Last Name |
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Father's Name |
First Name |
Middle Name |
Last Name |
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Date of Birth |
Date |
Month |
Year |
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Nationality |
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Gender |
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Place of Birth |
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Phone / Cell Number |
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Email ID |
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Address: |
Building No, Street |
City |
State |
Country |
PIN |
Permanent |
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Present |
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Educational qualification and present occupation details |
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Documents /Information required for Registration:
- Six Proposed names of the company in order of preference
- Activities of the proposed company in detail.
- DIN; DSC; Address Proof; Identity Proof; Father's Name; Place of Birth; Date of Birth; of all proposed directors and promoters.
- Clear Copy of Identity and Address Proof(latest bank statement/passport/telephone bill/electricity bill)
- Details of Authorized and Subscribed Capital (min.Rs. 1,00,000/-)
- Details of break - up of Share Capital.i.e. Funding by promoters.
- Drafting of MOA; AOA. Last page to be handwritten by the directors themselves in their own hand.
- Clear copy Director's ID and Address Proof has to be self- attested.
- POA in our favor for processing registration documents.
- Lease agreement/rental agreement for registered office else .NOC from Landlord in case of rented premises.
- If own premises tax paid receipts.
Steps to Incorporate One Person Company (OPC)
- Obtain Digital Signature Certificate [DSC] for the proposed Director.
- Obtain Director Identification Number [DIN] for the proposed director.
- Select suitable Company Name, and make an application to the Ministry of Corporate Office for availability of name.
- Draft Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association in pursuance to requirements of OPC. [MOA and AOA].
- Sign and file various documents including MOA and AOA with the Registrar of Companies electronically.
- Payment of Requisite fee to Ministry of Corporate Affairs and also Stamp Duty.
- Scrutiny of documents at Registrar of Companies [ROC].
- Receipt of Certificate of Registration/ Incorporation from ROC.
Private Limited Company
Private Limited Company means a Company formed with the word 'private' in its name and the Articles of Association of whom contains the following restrictions
- Restricts the right to transfer its shares
- Limitation to the number of shareholders to 50 (excluding employees and former employees)
- Prohibition towards invitation to the public to subscribe to shares and debentures
- Prohibits acceptance of deposits from persons other than shareholders, directors and their relatives.
- The minimum paid up capital for a private Company would be Rs. 100,000.
Private Companies are also relieved from complying a large number of provisions of the Companies Act such as
Nature |
Exemption/Privileges |
Membership |
Minimum number of member required is only 2 |
Flexibility in issue of shares |
Further shares can be issued without approval of shareholders and Central Government and even without offering to existing shareholders |
Commencement of Business |
Business can be commenced immediately on incorporation and without obtaining certificate of commencement of business |
Conducting of Statutory meeting |
No statutory meeting needs to be conducted |
Commencement of new business |
Company can commence business mentioned in other objects of Memorandum of Association without the approval of Shareholders |
Directors |
Only 2 Directors are required |
Increase in number of Directors |
No, approval of Central Government is required for increase in number of directors beyond 12. |
Consent of Board of Directors |
No consent of board of directors is required for actions:
- Sell/dispose of whole or substantially the whole of undertaking of the company
- To invest otherwise than in trust securities amount of compensation received by company in respect of compulsory acquisition of property
- Borrow money exceeding the aggregate of companies paid-up capital and free reserves
- To contribute to charitable and other funds exceeding Rs 50,000 or 5% of the Companies average net profits during proceeding 3 financial years
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Retirement of Directors |
Directors need not retire every year |
Appointment of Managing or Wholetime Director |
No approval of central Government is required for appointment of Managing or Wholetime Director |
Loan to Directors |
Can easily provide loan to Directors without any approval |
Remuneration to Directors |
There is no limit as to the amount of remuneration which can be paid to Directors or managers |
Participation by interested directors |
Interested Directors can also participate and vote on a business, in which he is interested |
Financing of Purchase |
Company can provide financial assistance for purchase or subscription of its own shares |
Provisions concerning shareholders meetings |
Articles of Association of the Company can provide for regulations relating to general meeting without being subject to statutory provisions of the Act. |
No restriction on inter-corporate investments or loans |
There are no restrictions as to the amount that can be given by way of inter-corporate loan or investment |
Ascertainment of profits and depreciation |
Provisions relating to method of ascertainment of profits and ascertainment of depreciation does not applies |
Restriction on Company Law Board |
Company Law Board cannot restrict any change in Board of Directors which can be prejudicial to the Company |
Benefits of Private Limited Company:
- Continuity of existence
- It is a separate legal entity meaning assets can be purchased in its own name
- Limited liability
- Less legal restrictions
- Recognition while dealing with foreign countries as a Corporate entity.
- No limit for managerial remuneration.
Limitations of Private Limited Company:
- Shares are not freely transferable
- Not allowed to invite public to subscribe to its shares
- Scope for promotional frauds
- Undemocratic control
- Taxability of Income of the Company as well as the dividend distribution in the hands of the Company
Steps for Formation of Private Limited Company
Suitability:
A public company is suitable where the volume of business is large, area of operation is widespread, the risk involved is high and there is a need for huge financial resources and manpower. It is also preferred when there is need for professional management in its operations. In certain businesses like banking and insurance, joint stock company form is the most suitable. Now-a-days, it is preferred form for most areas of business because of the preference for operating on large scale.
Steps for formation of a Public company:
The steps for formation of a Public Company is similar to steps foe formation of Private Company
Additional Steps to be taken for formation of a Public Limited Company
Public Limited Company
A Public company is company that has issued securities through an initial public offering (IPO) and is traded on at least one stock exchange or in the over the counter market. Although a small percentage of shares may be initially "floated" to the public, the act of becoming a public company allows the market to determine the value of the entire company through daily trading.
Features: |
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Legal entity |
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Acts in its own name according to the will of board directors |
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Legal personality |
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Raises capital through shares |
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Shares its profits among shareholders |
Benefits of a Public Company: |
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Public companies are normally valued higher than private companies |
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Raising capital requires less time and expense. |
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Founders suffer less stock dilution when raising capital. |
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Making acquisitions with stock is easier and less expensive. |
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Stock and stock options are useful in attracting management. |
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Management and employee stock options have more value. |
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More liquidity for founders, minority shareholders, and investors. |
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Added prestige and visibility with customers, suppliers, employees and the financial community. |
Limitations: |
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Difficulty of formation: |
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Delay in decisions: |
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Lack of secrecy |
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Legal formalities |
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Lack of motivation |
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Unhealthy speculation |
Suitability:
A public company is suitable where the volume of business is large, area of operation is widespread, the risk involved is high and there is a need for huge financial resources and manpower. It is also preferred when there is need for professional management in its operations. In certain businesses like banking and insurance, joint stock company form is the most suitable. Now-a-days, it is preferred form for most areas of business because of the preference for operating on large scale.
Steps for formation of a Public company:
The steps for formation of a Public Company is similar to steps foe formation of Private Company
Additional Steps to be taken for formation of a Public Limited Compan
Flow chart for formation of Indian Company
For some specific business purposes, Public & Private Companies takes the form of the following:
Producer Company
The Companies has prescribed separate set of provisions for companies which are engaged in activities related to agriculture and all companies registered as per these provisions are called as Producer Company. Producer Company can engage in any of the following activities:
- Production, harvesting, procurement, pooling handling, marketing, selling, export and import of primary produce of the Members and services for their benefit,
- Processing including reserving, drying, distilling, brewing etc of produce of its members
- Rendering technical services, consultancy services, training, research and development and promotion of interest of its Members,
- Generation, transmission and distribution of power, revitalization of land and water resources, their use, conservation and communication relatable to primary produce,
- Insurance of producers or their primary produce
- Promoting techniques of mutual assistance
- Distilling packaging of produce of its Members
- Activities ancillary or incidental to any of the above activities
Any ten or more individuals, each of them being a producer or any two or more producer institutions, or a combination of ten or more individuals and producer institutions may form a Producer Company
Producer means a person engaged in any of the activity connected with the following:
- Produce of farmers, arising from agriculture (including animal husbandry, horticulture, floriculture, pisciculture, viticulture, forestry, forest products, re-vegetation, bee raising, farming plantation product)
- Person engaged in handloom, handicraft and other cottage industries
- By product arising from above activities
- By product arising from any activity which is ancillary to the above activity
Producer Institution means a Producer company or any other institution having only producer or producers or producer company (s) as its member whether incorporated or not and have the objects of producer company and which agrees to make use of services provided in articles of Producer Company.
Non Banking Financial Company
Following types of companies are called as Non Banking Financial Companies and are regulated as per the regulations prescribed under Non Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions 1998:
- Company which is financial institution carrying on as its principal business the financing of physical assets supporting productive/economic activity such as automobiles, tractors, lathe machines, generator sets, earth moving and material handling equipment, moving on won power and general purpose industrial machines.
- Company which is financial institution carrying on as its principal business the providing if finance whether by making loans or advances or otherwise for any activity other than its own.
Company which is a financial institution carrying on as its principal business the acquisition of securities.
Non Profit Associations
Under the Companies Act, 1956 you can also register a company for carrying on business , not for the purpose of earning profit but to serve mankind at large. Such type of company is generally called as Association not for profit or section 25 Company.
Association not for profit or section 25 companies can only be formed for the purpose with the following objectives
- For promoting commerce, art, science, religion, charity or any other useful objects ; and
- The Company prohibits payment of any dividend to its members but intends to apply its profit and other income in promotion of its objects
It is necessary to take the approval of Government of India, to form such type of company
Due to their nature of business, the Government of India has relaxed the application of various provisions of the Companies Act on such companies,
Under the Companies Act 1956, a company is require to comply with the following types of compliances:
Below are given such compliances
Event |
Applicable Sections |
e-Forms |
Time Limit |
Appointment/Resignation of Director |
303 |
32 |
Within 30 days of appointment |
Increase in Authorized Share Capital |
94 |
5 |
Within 30 days of passing of the resolution in this behalf. |
Change in Address of Registered Office |
146 |
18 |
The return has to be submitted within 30 days of incorporation or change of situation of Registered office. |
Appointment of Managing director / Whole-time Director / Manager by Public Company |
269(2) |
25C |
Within 90 days from the date of appointment |
Allotment of Shares on cash |
75(1) |
2 |
Return must be submitted within 30 days of allotment of shares< |
Allotment of shares in consideration other than cash |
75(2) |
2 & 3 |
The Return has to be submitted within 30 days of allotment of shares> |
Taking Secured Loan/Modifying terms of such Secured Loan |
125/127 |
8 |
Within 30 days after the date of its creation.
Note: The delay can be condoned for further period of 30 days subject to payment of additional fees |
Issue of Series of Debentures |
128 & 129 |
10 |
The return has to be filed either by execution of deed or of any debentures of the series, within 30 days of creation of charge. |
Payment of secured Loan on which charge is created |
138 |
17 |
The return must be submitted within 30 days of satisfaction or payment of charge. Only payment of secured loan in full has to be registered. |
In case a public company wants to carry on business mentioned in other objects clause of Memorandum of Association |
149(2A) |
20A |
Before commencement of new business, the declaration has to be submitted. |
Filing of Statutory Report (in case of Public Company only) |
165 |
22 |
The report must be submitted immediately after sending the same to members preferably within 7 days of the date of report. |
On passing of Special Resolution |
192 |
23 |
Return has to be submitted within 30 days of passing the resolution |
Appointment of Managing Director by Board of Directors |
192 |
23 |
Return has to be submitted within 30 days of appointment |
To keep books of accounts at a place other than its registered office |
209(1) |
23AA |
Notice has to be submitted within 7 days of the Board's decision. |
For conversion of a Public Company into a Private Company. |
31(1) |
1B |
Within three months from the date when the special resolution has been passed in this regard. |
Annual Filings
Annual Fillings are those fillings which are require to be done each calendar year with the Registrar of Companies, irrespective of whether the Company is carrying on any business or not, the various annual fillings are outlined below:
Statutory Registers
Following statutory registers are required to be maintained in compliance of various provisions of the Companies Act, 1956
Books of Accounts
Every Company has to maintain the necessary accounting records at his registered office in respect of the following:
All sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the expenditure and receipt takes place. All Assets and Purchases of goods by the Company Assets and liabilities of the Company In case of companies engaged in class of companies engaged in production, processing, manufacturing or mining, activities, such particulars relating to utilization of material or labour or to such other items of costs as may be prescribed by Central Government.
The company can also keep these books of accounts at any other place in India by filling eform 23AA with Registrar of Companies within 7 days of decision.