Company Name Change Online in India

The procedure involves: (1) Apply for name approval via MCA RUN web service with at least two proposed names. (2) Convene a board meeting to approve the name change and call an EGM. (3) Pass a special resolution at the EGM under Section 114. (4) File Form MGT-14 with ROC within 30 days. (5) File Form INC-22 within 30 days of passing the resolution to intimate the name change. (6) Receive updated Certificate of Incorporation. (7) Update name across all statutory registrations (GST, PAN, bank, etc.). The entire process takes 15-20 working days.

Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with the alteration of the Memorandum of Association (MOA), including the change of the company's name. It empowers a company to change its name by passing a special resolution. The section also requires the company to obtain prior approval of the Central Government if the change of name is made to indicate any change in the objects of the company.

The name approval granted through the MCA RUN web service for a change of name is valid for 60 days from the date of approval (rule 9A(3)(b)). The company should pass the special resolution, file Form MGT-14 and apply in INC-24 within this window. If the window lapses, the company must reapply for name approval through RUN-Lite or fresh RUN application, paying the applicable fee again.

Form MGT-14 is filed to register the special resolution passed by the company's shareholders for name change. It must be filed within 30 days of the resolution. Form INC-22 is the intimation to ROC of the change of name of the company and must be filed within 30 days of passing the special resolution. Form MGT-14 is about the shareholder decision; Form INC-22 is the actual notification of the name change.

No. Under Section 114 of the Companies Act, 2013, a resolution for alteration of MOA (including name change) must be passed as a special resolution, requiring approval from shareholders representing at least 75% of the votes cast. The board of directors cannot unilaterally change the company's name.

If the name is rejected, MCA provides specific reasons such as similarity with an existing company, inclusion of undesirable words, or violation of Section 16(2). You must submit a fresh RUN application with new name options. The application fee is non-refundable. For RUN-Lite rejections, the name can be resubmitted once without additional fee within the same application.

Yes. Clause I of the MOA states the name of the company. After the name change resolution, the company must print, sign, and file the altered MOA. The altered MOA replaces the existing one and must be maintained at the registered office. It should be made available for inspection by members on request.

No. The proposed name must comply with Rule 20 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. It must not be identical to another company/LLP, must not contain words requiring Central Government approval (like Bank, Insurance), must not be undesirable per Section 16(2), and must not violate the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

MCA fees for name change include: RUN application fee of Rs. 1,000 (for 2 names). Form MGT-14 fee varies from Rs. 200 to Rs. 2,000 based on the company's paid-up share capital. Form INC-22 fee ranges from Rs. 200 to Rs. 600 based on capital. Additional stamp duty for altered MOA varies by state (typically Rs. 200 to Rs. 1,000).

Log in to the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in), go to Services > Registration > Amendment of Registration. Select the relevant business activity and submit the amended details with the new company name. Upload supporting documents: updated COI, board resolution, and proof of address. The amendment is typically processed within 15-30 working days.

Yes, a company can change its name again by following the same procedure under Section 13. There is no restriction on the number of name changes. However, frequent name changes (more than once every 3 years) may attract scrutiny from ROC and could be considered undesirable under Section 16(2). Each name change requires paying fresh government fees.

Pending filings should ideally be completed before filing the name change application. ROC may reject or delay the name change application if the company has overdue annual return (Form MGT-7) or financial statement (Form AOC-4) filings. File all overdue forms under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014 before proceeding.

Yes. After successful processing of Form INC-22, ROC issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new company name. This new COI replaces the previous one and is the primary legal document evidencing the name change. All future statutory filings must use the updated name.

Yes, a dormant company (registered under Section 455 of the Companies Act, 2013) can change its name by following the same procedure under Section 13. The company must ensure that its dormant status application (Form MSC-1) or dormant filing (Form MSC-3) is up to date. Name change is treated as a change in the company's particulars.

If Form INC-22 is not filed within 30 days of passing the special resolution, the company and every officer in default (typically directors and the Company Secretary) are liable to a penalty of Rs. 50,000, which may extend to Rs. 5 lakhs, and a further penalty of Rs. 500 per day for continued default under Section 137(5).

No. Once a company has received a notice under Section 248(1) for proposed strike-off by ROC, it cannot apply for a name change. The company must first respond to the ROC notice, file an application for stay on strike-off, and get the strike-off proceedings withdrawn before pursuing a name change.

No, the PAN number remains the same. However, the name on the PAN record must be updated. Submit Form REQUEST FOR NEW PAN CARD OR/AND CHANGES OR CORRECTION IN PAN DATA (available on NSDL/UTIITSL website) along with the new COI and board resolution. The updated PAN card will be dispatched within 15-20 working days.

A Company Secretary (CS) plays a critical role: (1) Conducting name availability search and RUN application. (2) Drafting board resolution, special resolution, and Explanatory Statement per Section 102. (3) Preparing and filing Forms MGT-14 and INC-22 with ROC. (4) Coordinating with ROC for any queries. (5) Updating statutory registers and ensuring post-change compliance. Every listed company and every other company with paid-up capital of Rs. 10 crore or more is mandatorily required to have a whole-time CS under Section 203.

Existing contracts and agreements remain valid despite the name change. However, you should notify all counterparties (vendors, clients, banks, lenders) about the name change. Execute a Novation Agreement or a Deed of Rectification for significant contracts. Update bank mandates, loan agreements, and insurance policies with the new name along with the updated COI.

There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement specifically for a name change. Any incorporated company, regardless of its paid-up capital, can apply for a name change. However, companies with paid-up capital of Rs. 10 crore or more must have a whole-time Company Secretary under Section 203 of the Companies Act, 2013.

A foreign company can change the name of its Indian subsidiary only through the subsidiary's own board and shareholder approvals. The foreign parent company cannot directly change the subsidiary's registered name. The subsidiary must follow the same Section 13 procedure with its own board resolution, special resolution, and ROC filings. The subsidiary's name change is independent of the parent company's name.