Registrations You Probably Need
The two free registrations nobody tells you about on Day 1.
These aren't entity types — they're government registrations that layer on top of whatever structure you choose. Both are free. Both unlock real money. Most founders discover them 2 years too late.
Udyam / MSME Registration
Free. Instant. Unlocks government money.
Who qualifies
Any business entity — proprietorship, LLP, Pvt Ltd, partnership, cooperative. No exclusions.
Classification (revised April 2025)
Fully online at udyamregistration.gov.in. Aadhaar + PAN verification. No documents to upload. Certificate issued instantly. Zero cost.
The trap
Exports are excluded from turnover calculation — only domestic turnover counts. Many founders unnecessarily classify themselves in a higher category by including export revenue. Also: the thresholds were revised upward on April 1, 2025. If you registered before that date, re-check your classification — you may now qualify for a lower (more beneficial) category.
Startup India / DPIIT Recognition
Tax holiday + angel tax abolition. If you qualify.
Who qualifies
Private Limited companies, LLPs, and registered partnerships. Must be under 10 years old with turnover below ₹200 Cr. Must demonstrate innovation, development, or improvement of products/processes/services with scalability potential.
Eligibility
Apply free at startupindia.gov.in. DPIIT recognition takes 1–3 working days. The Section 140 (formerly 80-IAC) tax exemption requires a separate Inter-Ministerial Board application — that takes 45–90 days.
The trap
DPIIT recognition ≠ tax exemption. Most founders conflate the two. Recognition is fast and easy — it gets you self-certification and seed fund eligibility. But the Section 140 tax holiday requires a separate, slower application to an Inter-Ministerial Board, and they can reject you. Also: proprietorships and HUFs are NOT eligible for DPIIT recognition. If you're a solo founder wanting this, you need at minimum an LLP.
Harini checks both registrations during the diagnostic
Common questions
Registration scope, statute-cited.
What does a Pvt Ltd registration actually include?+
The full pack covers the Digital Signature Certificates for directors (under the Information Technology Act 2000 and MCA's DSC framework), the Director Identification Numbers under s.153 of the Companies Act 2013, the SPICe+ incorporation filing under s.7, the MOA and AOA under s.5, and the auto-issued PAN, TAN, and Certificate of Incorporation — plus the GST and bank-account steps that follow. The section lists each deliverable with its statutory basis.
What is included in an LLP registration?+
An LLP registration through FiLLiP includes the DSC and designated-partner DINs, the FiLLiP incorporation form, and the LLP agreement — which must be executed on stamp paper and filed in Form 3 within 30 days under s.23 of the LLP Act 2008 read with the LLP Rules 2009. The section flags Form 3 as a post-incorporation step so it isn't forgotten.
Are PAN and TAN included?+
Yes — PAN and TAN are auto-generated as part of the SPICe+ incorporation process (the Certificate of Incorporation carries the PAN), and for an LLP the same applies through FiLLiP. If you're only registering for GST separately, that's a distinct Form REG-01 filing under the CGST Act 2017, not part of the incorporation pack.
What is the difference between an OPC and a Pvt Ltd pack?+
An OPC pack adds the nominee-consent requirement — the Form INC-3 executed by the nominee under s.3(1) and s.152 of the Companies Act 2013 read with the Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014 — while a Pvt Ltd requires at least 2 directors and 2 shareholders from the start. Everything else (DSC, DIN, SPICe+, PAN, TAN) is shared.
What comes after the Certificate of Incorporation?+
Within the first month: the first board meeting within 30 days under s.173(1) of the Companies Act 2013, appointment of the first auditor within 30 days under s.139(6) with Form ADT-1 filed within 15 days, and then INC-20A (commencement of business) within 180 days under s.10A. The section is about registration; the after-incorporation tool covers the cascade that follows.