# Company Name Approval in India and Common Rejection Reasons

> Source: https://krystal7.com/insights/company-name-approval-india-rules
> Publisher: Krystal7 Consultants (Krystal7 Innovations Private Limited), Gurugram, India
> Author: CA Nandini
> Published: 10 Oct 2026; updated 25 Oct 2026
> Summary: Company name approval in India under rules 8, 8A and 8B, SPICe+ Part A or RUN at ₹1,000, the 20 day reservation and the rejection reasons we see.

*Written by CA Nandini, Krystal7 Consultants. Last updated 26 October 2026.*

## AI Overview Summary

- The Registrar at the Central Registration Centre decides name applications filed through SPICe+ Part A or RUN, and the MCA fee is ₹1,000 per application.
- Under rule 8, a name too nearly resembles an existing one if it becomes identical after ignoring suffixes, plurals, spacing, tenses, phonetic spellings, word order, articles, places and numerals.
- Rule 8A lists undesirable names, including registered trade marks in the same class without the owner's consent, descriptive names and foreign legal suffixes such as Inc. or GmbH.
- A new company's name stays reserved for 20 days from approval and a name change for 60 days; rule 9A extends a new name to 40 days for ₹1,000 or 60 days for ₹3,000.
- A foreign company's Indian subsidiary may use the parent's name with India or an Indian State or city added, under the proviso to rule 8A(1)(i).

**The Registrar at the Central Registration Centre approves company names in India, through SPICe+ Part A or RUN, for a fee of ₹1,000. The name must not match or too nearly resemble an existing company or LLP name, or be undesirable under rule 8A. Words listed in rule 8B need prior Central Government approval. A new company's approved name stays reserved for 20 days, and paid extensions take it to 40 or 60 days. Most rejections we see come from generic descriptive names, near copies of existing names and registered trade marks in the same class.**

This page explains the name rules as they stand on 26 Oct 2026. It starts with section 4 of the Companies Act, 2013 and rules 8 to 9A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. It then covers the two filing routes, reservation periods, searches, suffixes, foreign parent names and names in Indian languages. It ends with the rejections we see most, a worked example, a checklist and FAQs.

## What does the Companies Act, 2013 say about company names?

Section 4 of the Companies Act, 2013 sets the name rules. Section 4(1)(a) requires a private company's name to end with "Private Limited" and a public company's name to end with "Limited". Section 8 companies are outside that requirement. Sections 4(2) to 4(5) then decide which names the Registrar can accept and how long a name stays reserved.

| Provision | What it says | What it means for your application |
|---|---|---|
| Section 4(2)(a) | The name must not be identical with, or too nearly resemble, the name of an existing company | Rule 8 sets the test for "too nearly resembles" |
| Section 4(2)(b) | The name must not be one whose use is an offence under any law, or that the Central Government considers undesirable | Rule 8A lists the undesirable names |
| Section 4(3)(a) | No word suggesting a connection with, or patronage of, the Central Government, a State Government, a local authority or a government body | A name that sounds official is refused |
| Section 4(3)(b) | No prescribed word without prior Central Government approval | Rule 8B lists those words |
| Section 4(4) | Apply to the Registrar to reserve a name for a proposed company or a new name for an existing company | Filed through SPICe+ Part A or RUN under rule 9 |
| Section 4(5)(i) | The Registrar may reserve the name for 20 days from approval; 60 days for an existing company changing its name | Rule 9A allows paid extensions for a new company |
| Section 4(5)(ii) | A name reserved on wrong or incorrect information can be cancelled | Penalty up to ₹1 lakh before incorporation; after incorporation, a name change, strike off or winding up |

Source: Companies Act, 2013, section 4, on India Code (read 26 Oct 2026).

Section 4(5)(ii) reaches back after incorporation. After a hearing, the Registrar can order a name change within three months, strike the company off or petition for winding up. We treat every statement in the name application as a declaration that can be tested later.

## Which rules govern company names in 2026?

Five rules in the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 do the work. The Companies (Incorporation) Fifth Amendment Rules, 2019 (G.S.R. 357(E), 10 May 2019) replaced the old long rule 8 with rules 8, 8A and 8B.

| Rule | Subject | Latest change we found |
|---|---|---|
| Rule 8 | When a name "resembles too nearly" an existing company name | Substituted by G.S.R. 357(E), 10 May 2019 |
| Rule 8A | Undesirable names | G.S.R. 793(E), 16 Oct 2019 removed "or applicant for registration" from the trade mark clause; G.S.R. 411(E), 16 Jul 2024 removed "Nidhi" from clause (p) and omitted clause (v) |
| Rule 8B | Words that need prior Central Government approval | Inserted by G.S.R. 357(E), 10 May 2019 |
| Rule 9 | Applying for reservation through SPICe+ or RUN | Substituted by the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2020, from 23 Feb 2020 |
| Rule 9A | Paid extension of a reserved name | Inserted by G.S.R. 795(E), 24 Dec 2020, from 26 Jan 2021 |

Source: Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 as amended, and the Gazette notifications named in the table (read 26 Oct 2026).

On 8 Apr 2026 the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) published a draft of the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2026. Comments were due by 9 May 2026. When we read the sources on 26 Oct 2026, we found no final notification. This page applies the rules in force today. Check the final text if MCA notifies it.

## When does a name "too nearly resemble" an existing company?

Rule 8(1) gives a mechanical test. A proposed name too nearly resembles an existing name only if the two become identical once you ignore the items in rule 8(2).

| Rule 8(2) item ignored when comparing | Illustration | Can a board NOC from the existing company help? |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Suffixes such as Private, Limited, LLP, company, corporation, group | "XYZ Private Limited" and "XYZ Limited" compare as "XYZ" | No |
| (b) Plural or singular forms | Green Technology Ltd. is the same as Greens Technologies Ltd. | No |
| (c) Case, spacing, punctuation and special characters | ABC Ltd. is the same as A.B.C. Ltd. and A B C Ltd. | No |
| (d) Different tenses | Ascend Solutions Ltd. is the same as Ascending Solutions Ltd. | No |
| (e) Phonetic spellings and misspellings | Chemtech Ltd. is the same as Kemtek Ltd. | No |
| (f) Host names and domain extensions | Ultra Solutions Ltd. is the same as Ultrasolutions.com Ltd. | Yes |
| (g) Order of words | Ravi Builders and Contractors Ltd. is the same as Ravi Contractors and Builders Ltd. | Yes |
| (h) Definite or indefinite article | Congenial Tours Ltd. is the same as The Congenial Tours Ltd. | Yes |
| (i) Slight spelling variation | Color Technologies Ltd. is the same as Colour Technologies Ltd. | No |
| (j) Complete translation or transliteration in Hindi or English | National Electricity Corporation Ltd. is the same as Rashtriya Vidyut Nigam Ltd. | No |
| (k) Adding a place to a name with no place in it | Salvage Technologies Ltd. is the same as Salvage Technologies Delhi Ltd. | Yes |
| (l) Adding, removing or changing numerals, unless the numeral is a brand | Thunder Services Ltd. is the same as Thunder 11 Services Ltd. | Yes |

Source: Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014; rows (b) to (l) quote the official illustrations to rule 8(2) (read 26 Oct 2026).

The proviso to rule 8(2) matters for groups. Items (f) to (h), (k) and (l) are not ignored if the existing company gives a no objection by board resolution. So a sister company can share a name that differs only by a city or a numeral, with that resolution on file. A board resolution cannot cure a plural, a phonetic copy or a translation.

## What makes a name undesirable under rule 8A?

Rule 8A(1) lists the grounds on which the Registrar treats a name as undesirable. The Central Government holds this power under section 4(2)(b). The grounds below are the ones that affect commercial companies most.

| Rule 8A(1) clause | The name is undesirable if it | Exception or route |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Is prohibited under section 3 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 | Prior permission |
| (b) | Includes a trade mark registered in the same class of goods or services as the company's activity | Consent of the trade mark owner |
| (c) | Includes words offensive to any section of the people | None |
| (d), (e) | Matches or too nearly resembles an LLP name or a name already reserved | Rule 8 tests apply with necessary changes |
| (f), (g) | Does not show a financing, leasing, chit fund, investment or securities business that is the main object, or shows one that is not | Align the name and the objects |
| (h) | Resembles the popular or abbreviated description of an existing company or LLP | None |
| (i) | Matches a foreign company or LLP name reserved with the Registrar | A foreign company's Indian subsidiary may use the parent's name with "India" or an Indian State or city added |
| (j) | Uses words for another type of entity: cooperative, sehkari, trust, LLP, partnership, society, proprietor, HUF, firm, Inc., PLC, GmbH, SA, PTE, Sdn, AG | None |
| (m) | Implies a connection with a national hero, a person held in high esteem or an important government personage | None |
| (p) | Uses words such as Insurance, Bank, Stock Exchange, Venture Capital, Asset Management or Mutual Fund | A declaration that the regulator's requirements are met |
| (q) | Uses the word "State" | Government companies |
| (r) | Is only the name of a continent, country, State or city, such as Haryana Limited | None |
| (s) | Is descriptive, made only of common words that describe an activity | Add words that make it specific |
| (t) | Includes a foreign country or a foreign city | Proof of significant business relations, such as an MoU; enemy country names are never allowed |

Source: Rule 8A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 as amended to 16 Jul 2024 (read 26 Oct 2026).

Rule 8A also sets cooling off periods for old names. A company name dissolved after liquidation is not available for two years (clause (n)). A name struck off under section 248 waits 20 years from the Gazette publication. An LLP name in liquidation or struck off waits five years (clause (o)). A name released when a company changed its name waits three years (clause (w)).

Rule 8A(2) adds a declaration. The applicant must say whether the name has been used in the last five years by another business, such as a proprietorship or a partnership. If it has, the application needs the details and NOCs from the partners or associates. Indian founders converting a proprietorship meet this one often.

## Which words need Central Government or regulator approval?

Section 4(3)(b) and rule 8B list words that need prior Central Government approval, in English or any other language. The MCA's instruction kit for SPICe+ Part A adds the regulator rules that the Registrar applies on review.

| Word or theme | Approval needed | Source of the rule |
|---|---|---|
| Board, Commission, Authority, Undertaking, Bureau, Financial Corporation, Forest Corporation | Prior Central Government approval | Rule 8B |
| National, Union, Central, Federal, Republic, Nation | Prior Central Government approval; the kit allows "National" only for a Government company | Rule 8B; SPICe+ kit, General Circular 2/2014 |
| President, Rashtrapati, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Minister, Governor | Prior Central Government approval | Rule 8B |
| Municipal, Panchayat, Development Authority, Development Scheme, Statute, Statutory, Court, Judiciary | Prior Central Government approval | Rule 8B |
| "Scheme" with a government, State, India or Bharat | Prior Central Government approval | Rule 8B(z) |
| Bank | NOC from the Reserve Bank of India | SPICe+ kit, General Circular 2/2014 |
| Stock Exchange or Exchange, Commodity Exchange | NOC from SEBI | SPICe+ kit, General Circulars 2/2014 and 26/2014 |
| Asset Reconstruction | Prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India | SPICe+ kit |
| Insurance, Mutual Fund, Venture Capital, Asset Management | Declaration that the regulator's requirements are met; in principle approval for insurance objects | Rule 8A(1)(p); SPICe+ kit |
| University | Only for a body set up under a Central, Provincial or State Act | SPICe+ kit, section 23 of the UGC Act, 1956 |
| Architect | Only if registered with the Council of Architecture | SPICe+ kit, General Circular 2/2012 |

Source: Rule 8B of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014; MCA instruction kit for SPICe+ Part A, rejection and resubmission notes (both read 26 Oct 2026).

If the business does not need a licence, drop the regulated word. A software company called "Bank Analytics" would need an RBI NOC it cannot get.

## Should you use RUN or SPICe+ Part A?

Rule 9 provides two web services on the MCA portal. SPICe+ (form INC-32) handles reservation for a new company. RUN (Reserve Unique Name) handles a change of name for an existing company. The Registrar at the Central Registration Centre approves or rejects both, and rule 9 allows a resubmission within 15 days to fix defects.

| Route | Used for | Fee | Validity after approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPICe+ Part A filed on its own | Reserving a name for a new company before the incorporation filing | ₹1,000 | 20 days, extendable to 40 or 60 days |
| SPICe+ Part A filed with Part B | Name and incorporation applied for in one go | ₹1,000 | Decided with the incorporation |
| RUN | Changing the name of an existing company | ₹1,000 | 60 days |

Sources: Rule 9 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014; MCA SPICe+ Part A instruction kit; MCA SPICe+ video script; section 4(5)(i) of the Companies Act, 2013 (all read 26 Oct 2026).

SPICe+ Part A filed on its own takes two proposed names, and the Registrar approves one. Filed together with Part B, it takes one name. LLP names go through a separate form, RUN LLP, and an approved LLP name stays valid for 3 months.

For a new subsidiary we prefer SPICe+ Part A on its own. It lets us propose two names and lock the approved one before the foreign documents are signed and apostilled. On our filings, name reservation takes about 48 working hours. Our [SPICe+ incorporation guide](/insights/spice-incorporation-spice-plus-guide-2026) covers Part B and the linked forms. For an existing company, see our guide on [changing a company name in India](/insights/company-name-change-india-process).

The resubmission window is 15 days from the date the Registrar marks the application. Plan on one corrected attempt. If the corrected names also fail, the fallback is a fresh application and a fresh fee of ₹1,000.

## How long does an approved name stay reserved?

Section 4(5)(i) reserves a new company's name for 20 days from approval and a name change for 60 days. Rule 9A lets you extend a new company's reserved name through SPICe+ before it lapses. The fee depends on how far and when you extend.

| Extension under rule 9A | Fee | Pay before |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 40 days from approval | ₹1,000 | Day 20 after approval |
| Up to 60 days from approval, in a second step | ₹2,000 | Day 40 after approval |
| Up to 60 days from approval, in one step | ₹3,000 | Day 20 after approval |

Source: Rule 9A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, inserted by G.S.R. 795(E), 24 Dec 2020; MCA SPICe+ Part A instruction kit (read 26 Oct 2026).

The two step route and the one step route both cost ₹3,000 for 60 days. The two step route lets you stop at 40 days for ₹1,000 if the filing goes in early.

On our filings, the 20 days are usually enough. Drafting the constitutional documents takes 36 working hours after the documents arrive. Apostille and notarisation take the client about 4 to 5 business days, and we file within 24 working hours of receiving the apostilled set. Founders from countries that share a land border with India are different. Press Note 3 approval adds about six months, so we reserve the name close to the approval, not at the start. Our [Press Note 3 guide](/insights/press-note-3-fdi-land-border-countries) explains that route.

## How do you search a name before applying?

Run these checks before you file. Each one catches a different ground for rejection.

1. Search the MCA portal's company and LLP name check for the core word, its plural, its spelling variants and its sound alikes. Rule 8(2) treats all of these as the same name.
2. If you file through RUN, use its Auto Check button. It runs a preliminary check against existing names before you submit.
3. Search the IP India trade marks public search for the word and its sound alikes in the classes your company will trade in. Rule 8A(1)(b) blocks a mark registered in the same class.
4. Check the objects you plan to put in the memorandum. A finance word in the name with no finance object fails rule 8A(1)(g).

The searches cost nothing. A failed name costs the ₹1,000 fee and about two working days.

## What suffix must the name carry?

The suffix follows the type of company. The SPICe+ Part A kit shows the ending typed in full and tells applicants not to use abbreviations such as "(P)" or "Ltd."

| Entity | Required ending | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Private company | Private Limited | Section 4(1)(a) |
| Public company | Limited | Section 4(1)(a) |
| One Person Company | (OPC) Private Limited, for example "ABC (OPC) Private Limited"; "One Person Company" in brackets below the name wherever it is printed | SPICe+ Part A kit; proviso to section 12(3) |
| Section 8 company | No "Limited" ending needed; the name uses words such as Foundation, Forum, Association, Federation, Chambers, Confederation or Council | Proviso to section 4(1)(a); rule 8A(1)(u) |
| LLP | A separate regime under the LLP Act, 2008, reserved through RUN LLP | RUN LLP instruction kit |

Sources: Companies Act, 2013, sections 4 and 12; MCA SPICe+ Part A and RUN LLP instruction kits (read 26 Oct 2026).

An LLP name is still compared with company names, because rule 8A(1)(d) blocks a company name that matches an LLP. If you are weighing an LLP for a foreign partner, see our guide to [FDI in an LLP](/insights/fdi-in-llp-india-foreign-partners).

## Can an Indian subsidiary use the foreign parent's name?

Yes, with "India" or an Indian State or city added. The proviso to rule 8A(1)(i) lets a foreign company's Indian subsidiary use the holding company's original name "as it is". The added word is required, and the name must be otherwise available. So "Acme GmbH" becomes "Acme India Private Limited".

Drop the foreign legal suffix. Rule 8A(1)(j) blocks words such as Inc., PLC, GmbH, SA, PTE, Sdn and AG, so "Acme Inc India Private Limited" fails. Rule 8A(1)(t) blocks a foreign city or country unless you show significant business relations. So "Acme Dubai Private Limited" needs proof such as an MoU.

On our filings we attach the parent's board resolution consenting to the use of its name. If the parent owns an Indian trade mark for the name, the resolution also gives the owner's consent under rule 8A(1)(b). SPICe+ Part A takes up to five optional attachments in PDF or JPG, up to 6 MB each and 10 MB in total. See where the name fits in the full timeline in our [guide for US companies setting up an Indian subsidiary](/insights/how-to-set-up-a-subsidiary-in-india-us-guide).

## Can the company name be in an Indian language?

Yes, but it must be typed in Roman letters. The SPICe+ Part A kit does not allow non ASCII characters in the name field. A Hindi, Tamil or Marathi word goes in transliterated, as in "Hike Nirman Private Limited".

Rule 8(2)(j) catches translations. A complete translation or transliteration of an existing name, in Hindi or English, counts as the same name. The official illustration says National Electricity Corporation Ltd. is the same as Rashtriya Vidyut Nigam Ltd. A partial translation passes: Hike Construction Ltd. is not the same as Hike Nirman Ltd.

Once incorporated, the name board follows section 12(3)(a). Where the local language uses a different script, the name and registered office address also go up in the characters of that language. We attach a one line note explaining any coined or Indian language word. It stops the reviewer reading the word as descriptive.

## How do trade marks affect company name approval?

Rule 8A(1)(b) blocks a name that includes a trade mark registered in the same class as the company's activity, unless the owner consents. Since G.S.R. 793(E) of 16 Oct 2019, a mere application for a trade mark no longer triggers this clause. Only a registered mark does.

A mark that is only pending today can still cause trouble once it registers. Section 16(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2013 lets the registered proprietor of a trade mark apply to the Central Government. The window is three years from the company's incorporation or name change. If the name matches or too nearly resembles the mark, the Government can direct a change. The company then has three months to change its name by ordinary resolution. If the company does not, section 16(3) lets the Government allot a new name and the Registrar issues a fresh certificate of incorporation.

So clear the trade mark register before you file, and file your own mark soon after the company exists. Our guide to [trade mark registration for foreign brands and the Madrid Protocol](/insights/trademark-registration-india-foreign-brand-madrid-protocol) explains both routes. Our [trademark registration service](/services/trademark-registration.html) handles the Indian filing.

## Why do company names get rejected?

The rejections we see most on our filings, for foreign founders and Indian SMEs alike, match the standard remarks in the MCA kit.

1. **Descriptive names.** "Global Software Solutions Private Limited" is all common words. Rule 8A(1)(s) treats it as descriptive, and the kit asks for a prefix or suffix that makes it unique.
2. **Near copies.** A plural, a missing letter or an added city turns a new name into an existing one under rule 8(2).
3. **Registered trade marks.** A coined word that looks free on the MCA portal can be a registered mark in the same class. The kit asks for the owner's NOC or a fresh name.
4. **Finance words in a non finance company.** "Capital" or "Investments" in the name of a software business fails rule 8A(1)(g).
5. **Foreign suffixes and places.** A leftover "Inc" fails rule 8A(1)(j). A foreign city without proof of business links fails rule 8A(1)(t).
6. **Official sounding words.** "National", "Bharat Scheme", "Board" or "Authority" fail section 4(3) and rule 8B.

## Good and risky name patterns

The table uses invented names. Run the searches above before you rely on any pattern.

| Pattern | Example | Risk | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coined word plus activity | Zorvanta Analytics Private Limited | Low | Distinct; not descriptive under rule 8A(1)(s) if the coined word is free |
| Parent name plus India | Acme India Private Limited | Low, if available | Proviso to rule 8A(1)(i) |
| Two or three generic words | Smart Software Solutions Private Limited | High | Descriptive under rule 8A(1)(s) |
| Existing name in plural | Zorvanta Analytic Private Limited when Zorvanta Analytics exists | High | Rule 8(2)(b) |
| Existing name plus a city | Zorvanta Analytics Pune Private Limited | High, unless the existing company gives a board NOC | Rule 8(2)(k) and proviso |
| Existing name plus a numeral | Zorvanta 24 Analytics Private Limited | High, unless the numeral is a brand or a board NOC is given | Rule 8(2)(l) and proviso |
| Parent name with its legal suffix | Acme Inc India Private Limited | High | Rule 8A(1)(j) |
| Country or State alone | Haryana Limited | High | Rule 8A(1)(r) |
| Foreign city | Acme Dubai Private Limited | Medium | Rule 8A(1)(t) needs proof such as an MoU |
| Regulated word | Zorvanta Bank Private Limited | High | RBI NOC needed |
| Finance word without finance objects | Zorvanta Capital Private Limited for a software firm | High | Rule 8A(1)(g) |

Sources: Rules 8 and 8A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014; MCA SPICe+ Part A instruction kit (read 26 Oct 2026).

## Worked example

A US parent, Brightfield Data Inc., sets up an Indian subsidiary. The figures are government fees only; our professional fee is separate. We assume the Haryana challan Krystal7 paid on 14 Aug 2026 for ₹15 lakh authorised capital.

1. Day 0: we file SPICe+ Part A on its own with two names: "Brightfield Data India Private Limited" and "Brightfield Analytics India Private Limited". We attach the parent's board resolution consenting to the use of its name. Fee ₹1,000.
2. Day 2: the Registrar approves the first name. The 20 day clock starts.
3. Day 2 to day 16: the US director signs and apostilles the documents. His travel delays the courier, so on day 18 we pay ₹1,000 to extend the name to 40 days.
4. Day 25: we file SPICe+ Part B with the linked forms.

| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Name reservation, SPICe+ Part A | ₹1,000 |
| Extension to 40 days under rule 9A | ₹1,000 |
| PAN and TAN ("Fee for SPICE + Part B") | ₹143 |
| MCA registration fee, authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh | Nil |
| Stamp duty, Haryana (₹60 MoA, ₹120 AoA, ₹15 linked forms) | ₹195 |
| Total government cost | ₹2,338 |

Sources: Rule 9A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014; Krystal7 SPICe+ challan, Haryana, paid 14 Aug 2026; MCA registration fee nil up to ₹15 lakh from 18 Mar 2019 (read 26 Oct 2026).

Had both names failed, a fresh application would have added ₹1,000. A second step to 60 days would have cost a further ₹2,000. Our [company registration cost calculator](/static/tools/company-registration-cost-calculator.html) runs the same arithmetic for other states and capital amounts.

## Common mistakes

1. **Choosing a name made only of common words.** Fix: put a coined or distinctive word first, then the activity.
2. **Searching the MCA portal but not the trade mark register.** Fix: run the IP India public search in each class you will trade in.
3. **Keeping the parent's Inc, PLC or GmbH.** Fix: use the parent's name with "India" and drop the foreign suffix.
4. **Abbreviating the suffix in the name field.** Fix: type the ending in full, such as "Private Limited", as the SPICe+ Part A kit shows.
5. **Using "Capital" or "Finance" for a non finance business.** Fix: match the name to the main object in the memorandum, or drop the word.
6. **Expecting a board NOC to cure any conflict.** Fix: an NOC covers only domain names, word order, articles, places and numerals.
7. **Letting the 20 days lapse while documents travel.** Fix: diary day 18. If the filing is not ready, pay the ₹1,000 extension before day 20.
8. **Reserving a name at the start of a Press Note 3 case.** Fix: the approval adds about six months, so reserve close to it.

## Checklist for company name approval

1. Decide the company type, because it fixes the suffix.
2. Write down two names, each with a distinctive word first.
3. Search the MCA company and LLP name check for each word, its plurals, spelling variants and sound alikes.
4. Search the IP India trade mark register in the classes the company will trade in.
5. Remove regulated words (Bank, Insurance, Exchange, National) unless you hold the approval.
6. Remove foreign legal suffixes and foreign places, or collect the proof of business relations.
7. Match the name to the main objects of the memorandum.
8. Collect the foreign parent's board resolution consenting to the use of its name.
9. Declare any use of the name by another business in the last five years, with NOCs.
10. File SPICe+ Part A on its own with two names and the attachments, and pay ₹1,000.
11. Answer any resubmission within 15 days of the Registrar's remarks.
12. Diary day 20 and extend under rule 9A if the incorporation filing will not be ready.
13. File the trade mark for the approved name once the company exists.

If you want us to run the searches and reserve the name as part of an Indian subsidiary setup, see our [foreign subsidiary incorporation service](/services/foreign-subsidiary.html). The published fee band is USD 1,200 to USD 1,700 and includes the name search.

## Key terms

- **Reserve Unique Name (RUN)**: RUN is the MCA web service for reserving a name. Rule 9 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 uses it for a change of name of an existing company, and a name reserved that way is held for 60 days. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#reserve-unique-name-run)
- **SPICe+ Part A**: SPICe+ Part A is the name reservation part of form INC-32 for a new company. Filed on its own it takes two proposed names, the fee is ₹1,000, and an approved name is held for 20 days. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#spice-plus-part-a)
- **Undesirable name**: An undesirable name is one the Registrar will not register under section 4(2)(b) of the Companies Act, 2013. Rule 8A lists the grounds, such as descriptive names, registered trade marks in the same class and words for other business forms. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#undesirable-name)
- **Central Registration Centre (CRC)**: The MCA office that processes name reservation through RUN and SPICe+ Part A, and incorporation applications, for the whole of India. Its Registrar approves or rejects names under rule 9 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, allowing one resubmission window of 15 days. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#central-registration-centre)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much does company name approval cost in India?
The MCA fee is ₹1,000 per application through SPICe+ Part A or RUN. Extending a new company's reserved name costs ₹1,000 for 40 days, or ₹3,000 for 60 days in one step. These fees come from rule 9A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.

### How many names can I propose in one application?
Two, when you file SPICe+ Part A on its own, and the Registrar approves one. If you file Part A together with Part B, the form takes one name. We file Part A separately for foreign subsidiaries so a second choice is ready.

### How long does name approval take?
On our filings, name reservation takes about 48 working hours. The time runs from filing to the Registrar's decision at the Central Registration Centre. A resubmission adds its own review time.

### Can I extend a reserved company name?
Yes, for a new company under rule 9A. Pay ₹1,000 before day 20 to reach 40 days, then ₹2,000 before day 40 to reach 60 days. The one step 60 day option costs ₹3,000 and must be paid before day 20.

### What happens if my name application is marked for resubmission?
You can correct and resubmit within 15 days of the Registrar's remarks, using the same user ID. Plan for one corrected attempt. If it fails again, file a fresh application with a fresh fee.

### Can my Indian subsidiary use the parent company's name?
Yes, with "India" or an Indian State or city added, under the proviso to rule 8A(1)(i). Drop the parent's legal suffix, such as Inc. or GmbH. We attach the parent's board resolution consenting to the use of the name.

### Do I need a registered trade mark before I reserve a company name?
No. You need to make sure nobody else holds a registered mark for the name in your class, because rule 8A(1)(b) blocks it without the owner's consent. File your own trade mark once the company exists.

### Can a trade mark owner force my company to change its name later?
Yes, within three years of incorporation or a name change, under section 16(1)(b). The Central Government can direct a change within three months. If the company does not comply, the Government allots a new name under section 16(3).

### Can I use "India" or "Bharat" in the name?
"India" works with other words, and the parent name plus India route is common. A name made only of a country or State name fails rule 8A(1)(r). "Scheme" with India or Bharat needs prior Central Government approval under rule 8B(z).

### Can the name be in Hindi or another Indian language?
Yes, written in Roman letters, because the form does not accept non ASCII characters. A complete translation of an existing company's name counts as the same name under rule 8(2)(j). A partial translation does not.

### Can I reuse the name of a struck off company?
Not for 20 years from the Gazette publication of the strike off, under the proviso to rule 8A(1)(n). A company dissolved after liquidation blocks its name for two years. A name released by a name change is blocked for three years under rule 8A(1)(w).

## Sources

- India Code, The Companies Act, 2013 (Act 18 of 2013), sections 4, 12 and 16, read 26 Oct 2026, https://indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2114
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 as amended, rules 8, 8A, 8B, 9 and 9A (amendments G.S.R. 357(E) of 10 May 2019, G.S.R. 793(E) of 16 Oct 2019, G.S.R. 795(E) of 24 Dec 2020 and G.S.R. 411(E) of 16 Jul 2024), read 26 Oct 2026, https://www.mca.gov.in/content/mca/global/en/acts-rules.html
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Instruction Kit for SPICe+ Part A (INC-32), read 26 Oct 2026, https://www.mca.gov.in/content/dam/mca-aem-forms/instructionkits/Instruction%20Kit_SPICe+Part%20A.pdf
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs, SPICe+ video script, read 26 Oct 2026, https://www.mca.gov.in/content/dam/mca/videos/audio_pdfs/Video_SPICeplus_AudioText.pdf
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Instruction Kit for RUN LLP, read 26 Oct 2026, https://www.mca.gov.in/content/dam/mca-aem-forms/instructionkits/Instruction%20Kit_RUN%20LLP.pdf
- Press Information Bureau, MCA invites public comments for reviewing the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, 17 Apr 2026, read 26 Oct 2026, https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2252805
- Startup India, Company registration steps (RUN and Auto Check), read 26 Oct 2026, https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/company_registration-.html

---
Krystal7 Consultants, business@krystal7.com, +91 94657 30130. HTML version: https://krystal7.com/insights/company-name-approval-india-rules