Types of Companies in India

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Aishwarya Shah

Incorporation
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Types of Companies
Last updated on May 5th, 2021

A Company is an association of persons, however, it is a separate legal entity from its owners. It is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal. It can sue and be sued in its own name. There are different types of business entities in India. In this article, we will discuss the different types of companies in India.

Types of Companies in India under Companies Act 2013

The following chart shows the Company types in India on the basis of different criteria.

Types of companies in India

Companies based on the Size

  1. Public Company
    A Public company is a company in which members can freely trade the company’s shares on the stock exchange. In simple terms, it means a company that can raise funds from the public.
  2. Private Company
    A private company is a company in which there is a restriction on the transferability of shares and can raise money through private placement.
    This company has two types- small company and one person company.
    • Small Company
      A small company is a company that has a paid-up share capital of not more than 50 lakhs or such higher amount as may be prescribed but not more than 10 crores, and a turnover of not more than 2 crores or such higher amount as may be prescribed which shall not be more than 100 crores.
    • One Person Company (OPC)
      One Person Company is a company which has only one person as a member. The Companies Act 2013 had first introduced the concept of OPC. Only a resident can incorporate an OPC.

Types of Companies on the basis of Liability

  1. Limited by shares
    In this type of company, the liability of members is limited to the unpaid amount on shares which they hold in the company.
  2. Limited by Guarantee
    In such a type of company, the liability of members is limited to the extent of the guarantee amount that they agree to pay at the time of liquidation of the company.
  3. Unlimited Company
    In the case of an unlimited company, the liability of the members extends to the entire company’s debts. The personal assets of members are liable for the payment of a liability of the company.

Types of Companies on the basis of control

  1. Holding Company
    A company in relation to another company is a holding company if it:-
    • holds more than half of the total share capital of that another company, or
    • holds a position of control in that company.
  2. Subsidiary Company
    If in a company, another company directly or indirectly holds more than half of its capital or holds a position of control then we call the company a subsidiary of that holding company.
  3. Associate Company
    Associate company is the company in which another company holds more than 20% of the share capital of the company.

Types of Companies on the basis of Stock

  1. Listed company
    In the case of a listed company, the company lists its shares on the stock exchange in India or outside India.
  2. Unlisted company
    The shares of the unlisted company do not list themselves on any stock exchange, hence we call it an unlisted company.

Other Companies

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FAQs

I am a member in OPC. Can I incorporate another OPC and become member of it?

A person can be a member in one OPC only. If you are already a member in one OPC, you cannot become member in another OPC.

How can a dormant company get the status of active company?

A dormant company who wishes to get the status of active company has to file the application under Form MSC-4 to ROC. If satisfied with the application, ROC will issue a certificate under Form MSC-5 to the dormant company to get the status of active company.

What are the documents that one requires to register a Company India?

A person who wishes to incorporate a Company in India needs the following documents:-
1. Utility bills for Office address (not older than 2 months)
2. Stamped and Notarized Rent Agreement/ Lease Deed
3. No Objection Certificate from the owner of the place of Registered Office
4. PAN of all the directors
5. Identity Proof of Subscribers
6. Address proof of Subscribers (not older than 2 months)
7. Consent to act as Director (DIR-2)
8. Declaration by Subscriber/ Director (INC-9)

Got Questions? Ask Away!

  1. Hi @emmy

    A private limited company shall have minimum two members and maximum 200 members, whereas a public limited company can have minimum 7 members and there is no limit in the maximum number of members.

    You can read more about various types of companies and their provisions here:

    Hope this helps!