Company Name Reservation in India: Rules, Process & Fees

Posted By: Admin Published: 11-11-2026

Table of Contents

4. Company Name Reservation Process in India

5. Government Fees for Company Name Reservation in India

5.1. Extension Fees for Reserved Company Names

Company Name Reservation in India is the first important step for entrepreneurs planning to register a Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, or One Person Company (OPC). Choosing the right company name helps establish a unique business identity and ensures that the proposed name complies with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) guidelines. In India, company name reservation is governed by the Companies Act, 2013, and the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.

The MCA provides an online facility through the SPICe+ Part A form for reserving a name for a new company. Existing companies that want to change their names generally use the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service. Understanding the rules, application process, government fees, and common reasons for rejection can help applicants avoid unnecessary delays.

What Is Company Name Reservation?

Company name reservation is the process of applying to the MCA for approval of a proposed company name before completing the incorporation process. The Registrar of Companies (ROC), through the Central Registration Centre (CRC), examines the proposed name to determine whether it meets the applicable legal requirements. Once approved, the name is reserved for a specific period, allowing the applicant to complete the remaining incorporation formalities.

For example, if an entrepreneur wants to establish a technology company under the name "ABC Digital Solutions Private Limited", the proposed name must be checked against existing company names, LLP names, trademarks, and MCA naming rules before approval.

Why is the company name Reservation Important?

Selecting and reserving a suitable company name is important for several reasons:

Unique business identity: It helps distinguish your company from existing registered entities.
Legal compliance: The proposed name must follow MCA naming requirements.
Brand development: It allows entrepreneurs to plan their website, logo, marketing, and business identity.
Reduced rejection risk: Checking name availability before applying can help avoid unnecessary resubmissions.
Smooth incorporation: Once the name is approved, applicants can proceed with the remaining company registration formalities within the reservation period.

Rules for Company Name Reservation in India

The proposed company name must comply with Section 4 of the Companies Act, 2013, and the relevant provisions of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, particularly Rules 8, 8A, and 8B.

1. The Name Must Be Unique

The proposed name should not be identical or too similar to the name of an existing company or LLP. Minor differences in spelling, punctuation, singular or plural forms, or word arrangement may not be sufficient to make a name distinguishable.

2. Trademark Conflicts Must Be Checked

The proposed name should not improperly conflict with an existing registered trademark. Before submitting an application, applicants should search the IP India trademark database. If a proposed name uses a protected trademark, the required consent or No Objection Certificate may be necessary.

3. The Name Should Reflect the Business Activity

The proposed name should generally be consistent with the company's principal objects and proposed business activities. For example, if a company proposes to use words such as "Finance", "Investment", or "Insurance", its objects and applicable regulatory requirements should support the proposed name.

4. Restricted Words May Require Approval

Certain words and expressions can be used only after obtaining the required prior approval from the Central Government or relevant authority.

Examples may include words such as:

National
Board
Commission
Authority
Union
Federal
Republic
Municipal

Applicants should check Rule 8B and other applicable requirements before using restricted expressions.

5. Use the Correct Company Suffix

The proposed name must include the appropriate legal ending based on the company structure. Examples:

Private Limited Company: Private Limited
Public Limited Company: Limited
One Person Company: (OPC) Private Limited

The correct suffix should be included in the name application.

Company Name Reservation Process in India

The MCA provides an online process for reserving a name for a new company. The general steps are explained below.

Step 1: Decide Your Proposed Company Name

Choose a name that is distinctive, easy to remember, and relevant to your business activity. It is advisable to prepare more than one name option before starting the application.

Step 2: Check Name Availability on the MCA Portal

Visit the official MCA website and use the company or LLP name search facility to identify potentially similar registered names. This search is an initial check and does not guarantee approval.

Step 3: Conduct a Trademark Search

Search the proposed name on the official IP India trademark database. This step helps identify potential conflicts with existing trademarks and reduces the risk of objections or disputes.

Step 4: Apply Through SPICe+ Part A

For a new company, name reservation is generally requested through SPICe+ Part A on the MCA V3 portal. Applicants need to:

Log in to the MCA portal.
Open the SPICe+ service.
Select Part A for name reservation.
Enter the proposed company name.
Provide the main business activity and relevant details.
Submit the application and pay the applicable fee, where payable.

Applicants can generally propose up to two names when filing SPICe+ Part A separately.

Step 5: MCA Reviews the Application

After submission, the application is examined by the Central Registration Centre. The MCA may approve the proposed name, reject it, or request resubmission with corrections or alternative names. Applicants should regularly check their application status using the Service Request Number (SRN).

Step 6: Complete Company Incorporation

Once the proposed name is approved, the applicant must complete the incorporation process within the applicable reservation period. For a new company, the approved name is generally used in SPICe+ Part B along with the required incorporation documents.

Government Fees for Company Name Reservation in India

The government fee depends on the application route and the type of name reservation.

Application Type	Government Fee
Separate SPICe+ Part A application for a new company	₹1,000
RUN application for an existing company name change	₹1,000
MCA name availability search	Free

The above fees are government filing charges and do not include professional fees, digital signature costs, stamp duty, or other incorporation expenses. If a name is reserved through the combined incorporation filing, a separate name reservation fee may not apply. Applicants should check the current fee displayed on the MCA portal before payment.

Extension Fees for Reserved Company Names

Under the applicable incorporation rules, a name reserved for a new company may be extended before its reservation expires, subject to the prescribed conditions and fees. The commonly applicable extension fee structure is:

Extension Period	Government Fee
Up to 40 additional days	₹1,000
Up to 60 additional days	₹2,000
Extension directly up to 60 days, where applicable	₹3,000

The extension must be requested before the existing reservation expires. Always verify the applicable fee and eligibility on the MCA portal before submitting the request.

How Long Is a Reserved Company Name Valid?

The validity period depends on the type of application. For a new company: A name approved through SPICe+ Part A is generally reserved for 20 days from the date of approval. For an existing company: A name approved through the RUN service for a company name change is generally reserved for 60 days.

If the applicant does not complete the required filing or obtain an eligible extension within the permitted period, the reservation may expire and the name may become available to other applicants.

Common Reasons for Company Name Rejection

The MCA may reject a proposed name for several reasons, including:

The name is identical or too similar to an existing company or LLP.
The proposed name conflicts with a registered trademark.
The name contains restricted words without the required approval.
The proposed name does not match the company's main business activity.
The name is too generic or descriptive.
The application contains incomplete or incorrect information.
Required consent or supporting documents have not been provided.

To reduce rejection risk, conduct MCA and trademark searches, prepare alternative names, and ensure that the business objects are clearly described.

How Tripathi & Arora Associates Can Help

Tripathi & Arora Associates provides company registration and corporate compliance-related services to entrepreneurs and businesses.

If you are planning to register a new company, professional assistance can help you:

Select a suitable company name.
Check potential name conflicts.
Understand MCA naming guidelines.
Prepare and submit the name reservation application.
Complete the company incorporation process.
Understand applicable ROC filing and compliance requirements.

Professional guidance can help applicants organise the documentation and reduce avoidable errors during the registration process.

Conclusion

Company Name Reservation in India is an important step towards establishing a legally recognised business. A suitable name should be unique, meaningful, and compliant with MCA rules and trademark requirements. By checking name availability, understanding the SPICe+ Part A and RUN processes, preparing alternative names, and completing incorporation within the reservation period, entrepreneurs can make the company registration process more organised.

Before applying, it is advisable to review the applicable naming rules and government fees or seek professional guidance to avoid unnecessary delays.

FAQs

Q1. How can I reserve a company name in India?

For a new company, you can apply through SPICe+ Part A on the MCA V3 portal. Existing companies generally use the RUN service when applying for a name change.

Q2. What is the government fee for company name reservation?

A separate SPICe+ Part A application for a new company generally costs ₹1,000. An existing company applying for a name change through RUN also generally pays ₹1,000.

Q3. How many names can I submit for approval?

When filing SPICe+ Part A separately, applicants can generally propose up to two names for a new company.

Q4. How long is a company name reservation valid?

A name reserved through SPICe+ Part A for a new company is generally valid for 20 days. A name reserved through RUN for an existing company's name change is generally valid for 60 days.

Q5. Can I extend my reserved company name?

Yes. An eligible reservation for a new company can generally be extended by applying before the reservation expires and paying the prescribed fee.

Q6. Why does the MCA reject company names?

The MCA may reject names that are identical or too similar to existing entities, conflict with trademarks, contain restricted words without approval, or do not comply with the applicable naming rules.

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