What is a Private Limited Company?

A Company is an association of persons who share common goals. Moreover, the owners of the company pool their resources in order to achieve their common goals. A private limited company is a closely held company with restriction to issue shares to the public. Thus that it cannot go for an IPO or list their shares on the stock exchange for public trading of their shares.

Registration of a Pvt Ltd Company in India is regulated by the Companies Act, 2013 and administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Definition and Conditions as per Companies Act, 2013

Private Limited Company has a minimum paid-up share capital of Rs. 100 thousand or such higher capital as may be prescribed under section 2 (68) of Companies Act, 2013; and by its Articles,-

1. restricts the right of transfer of its share;
2. except in the case of One Person Company, limits the number of its members to 200 not including:
   1. persons who are employees of the company; and
   2. persons, who have formerly been in the employment of the company, were members of the company and have continued to be members after the employment ceased
3. prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company.

A Private company becomes a “small company“ in the following circumstances:

paid up share capital not exceeding fifty lakh rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed (not be more than five crore rupees);

Turnover as per last profit and loss account does not exceed two crore rupees or such higher amount not being more than twenty crore rupees.

A Private Company becomes a “small company” if the paid-up share capital does not exceed fifty lakh rupees and its average annual turnover during the relevant period does not exceed two crore rupees.

Incorporation of a Private Limited Company

The main steps of incorporation are discussed below:

Application for DIN

There must be at least two Promoters and at least two Directors. Promoters may be individual or body corporate who will promote/incorporate a company and Directors should be individuals. The individuals need to apply for DIN i.e. Director Identification Number in Form DIN 1 along with the prescribed documents.

Digital Signature

Digital Signature is a must for any of the two Directors. There are total seven Certification Agencies authorized by the Controller of Certification Agencies to issue the Digital Signature Certificate.

Name Approval

Next step involves application to the concerned Registrar of Companies (ROC) along with the prescribed documents and fees. The promoter can apply for six company names amongst which the ROC will approve only one. If the ROC rejects all the names, the applicant has another two chances to apply the name again with the same fees he has incurred.

MoA and AoA

After the name approval, the drafting of Memorandum of Association and Article of Association are drafted by the Directors/Promoters.

Company Incorporation

After the drafting of MoA and AoA, the Director will take the Professional Service i.e. from CA/ CS/ CWA to incorporate the company. E Forms 1, 18 and 32 are to be filed, Digitally signed by any One Director followed by Digital Signatures of Professional who certify that all the documents and information is correct one. Certificate of Incorporation will be generated, once the ROC approves the documents and Forms submitted. The Directors are to get the MOA and AOA printed and to comply all the compliance after the company registration

Documents Required for Private Limited Company Registration

Following are the documents that are generally required for Private Limited Company Registration

• Copy of PAN Card of directors
• Passport size photograph of directors
• Copy of Aadhaar Card/ Voter identity card of directors
• Copy of Rent agreement (If rented property)
• Electricity/ Water bill (Business Place)
• Copy of Property papers(If owned property)
• Landlord NOC (Format will be provided)

Advantages of the Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd )

There are numerous benefits of a Private Limited Company Registration as compared to other forms of companies. A private limited company is the most preferred form of business entity for startups

Seed Funding

Many start-ups register as a ‘Private Limited Company’ as it is the most preferred form of entity for seed funding by Vc’s and investors. It is thus the most popular form of business entity in India. Read why is a Private Limited company more suitable for Startups who want to go for seed funding.

Members

One can start the Pvt Ltd company, with the minimum of 2 members and maximum of 200 members as per the Companies Act, 2013.

Directors

Minimum 2 directors are required for Pvt Ltd Company. Directors and the shareholders can be the same person. No mandatory qualifications are required for the appointment of directors.

Capital

For Pvt Ltd Company, share capital of only Rs 1,00,000 is needed.

Prospectus

The prospectus is a detailed document issued by the company which invites the public for the subscription of shares, debentures of a company. The issue of a prospectus is not required in Pvt. Ltd. Company.

Statutory meetings

Statutory meeting of the members or filling of Report to the Register of Companies is not required.

Disadvantages of the Private Limited Company

In the Pvt Ltd Company, shares cannot be easily transferred unless other shareholders approved it.

The public is not allowed to buy the shares of Pvt Ltd Company.

Every private company should have to mention Pvt Ltd at the end of the company name.