Company Name Approval: How to Pick a Name the MCA Will Accept

Company name approval for a new Indian company is obtained through SPICe+ Part A on the MCA portal; RUN is used for an existing company’s name change. The Registrar assesses distinctiveness, trademark conflicts, restricted expressions and other requirements under Sec. 4 Companies Act, 2013 and Rules 8, 8A and 8B Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. Approval normally reserves a new company’s name for 20 days, with paid extensions available.

What rules govern company name approval in FY 2025-26?

Company names must satisfy the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, rather than income-tax rules.

For FY 2025-26 / AY 2026-27, the principal provisions are:

• Sec. 4 Companies Act, 2013: Governs company names, prohibited names and reservation.
• Rule 8 Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014: Explains when names resemble existing company names too nearly.
• Rule 8A Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014: Identifies undesirable names, including specified trademark conflicts.
• Rule 8B Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014: Lists expressions requiring previous Central Government approval.
• Rules 9 and 9A Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014: Address name reservation and extensions for new companies.

Applications are generally processed through the MCA’s Central Registration Centre. Reservation approves the proposed name for incorporation purposes; it does not incorporate the company or authorise a regulated business.

A private company ordinarily ends its name with “Private Limited”, and a public company with “Limited”. Licensed Section 8 companies are an exception.

Why does the MCA reject proposed company names?

The MCA may reject names that resemble existing entities, conflict with protected marks, misrepresent the business or breach restrictions.

Rejection risk	Example or issue	Practical response
Identical or closely resembling name	“Infosys Tech” against an existing Infosys name	Choose a genuinely different distinctive element
Superficial differences	“Green Leaf” versus “Greenleaf”, or changes in plurals and punctuation	Do not rely on formatting changes
Existing LLP conflict	Proposed name resembles an existing LLP	Search both companies and LLPs
Trademark conflict	A registered mark or pending application in the relevant class	Investigate the conflict and obtain consent where required
Regulated business terminology	Bank, Insurance or Stock Exchange	Check applicable regulatory requirements and declarations
Government-linked expressions	Board, National, Union, Republic or Federal	Check previous Central Government approval requirements
Offensive or otherwise undesirable wording	Offensive expressions or a name consisting only of generic descriptions	Select distinctive, appropriate wording
Misleading activity description	“Pharma” where the stated business is only software	Align the name with the principal objects

These are not all absolute bans. Some expressions are permissible with the prescribed approvals or evidence.

Adding “India”, a location, a domain extension or “Private Limited” does not necessarily distinguish an otherwise conflicting name. Equally, including a geographical word does not automatically make a name unacceptable.

How should you shortlist names before applying?

Shortlist distinctive names only after checking MCA records, trademark records and consistency with the proposed business.

1. Search company and LLP records. Check exact matches, spelling variants, phonetic similarities and word combinations. Our MCA master data search guide explains the starting point.
2. Search the Trade Marks Registry. Review registered marks and pending applications in relevant classes. Search similar-sounding marks, not merely exact spellings. Well-known marks can create wider risks.
3. Prefer a distinctive core word. A coined expression followed by an accurate business descriptor is usually stronger than generic wording alone.
4. Match the principal objects. Explain what the company will actually do. A name suggesting finance, insurance or another regulated activity needs particular care.
5. Prepare supporting explanations. Explain coined words and attach any necessary consent, group-company authorisation or regulatory documentation.
6. Keep a genuinely different backup. A second option should not simply rearrange the same conflicting words.

Check domain names and social-media handles separately. Their availability neither proves MCA eligibility nor establishes trademark clearance.

Should you use SPICe+ Part A or RUN?

Use SPICe+ Part A for a new company and RUN for reserving a changed name for an existing company.

RUN is not the standalone reservation route for a new company. Founders who want approval before preparing incorporation documents can submit SPICe+ Part A separately.

Point	SPICe+ Part A	RUN
Purpose	Name reservation for a new company	Name reservation for an existing company’s name change
Filing approach	Separately or with Part B	Separate name-change reservation application
Proposed names	Up to two when Part A is filed separately; one with integrated Part A and Part B	Up to two
Standard reservation	20 days from approval	60 days from approval
Standalone name-application fee	₹1,000	₹1,000
Completion requirement	Submit incorporation documents within the valid reservation period	Complete the applicable name-change procedure

Approval of a RUN application does not itself change the company’s legal name. Sec. 13 Companies Act, 2013 governs the subsequent process, including the applicable corporate approvals and fresh certificate of incorporation.

If clarification or resubmission is requested, follow the deadline in the MCA notice. A rejected or expired application may require a fresh filing and fee.

Can you extend the 20-day reservation, and what does it cost?

A new company’s approved name can be extended to 40 or 60 days from approval by paying the prescribed fee before the relevant deadline.

Under Rule 9A Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014:

Extension chosen	Additional government fee	Payment deadline
From 20 days to 40 days	₹1,000	Before the initial 20 days expire
From an extended 40 days to 60 days	₹2,000	Before the 40-day period expires
Directly from 20 days to 60 days	₹3,000	Before the initial 20 days expire

These are total reservation periods measured from approval, not additional periods beginning on payment.

Worked example: Assume a Bengaluru founder submits standalone Part A with “Bangalore Cloud Solutions Private Limited” and “Nimbrix Cloud Solutions Private Limited”. The first encounters existing-name similarity concerns; geographical and descriptive wording alone does not establish distinctiveness.

For illustration, assume the second is approved in two days after the coined-word explanation and searches reveal no relevant conflict, including in trademark class 42. Neither that turnaround nor actual availability of “Nimbrix” is guaranteed.

The founder then needs extra time for incorporation documents:

• Initial standalone reservation: ₹1,000
• Extension to 40 days: ₹1,000
• Further extension to 60 days: ₹2,000
• Total name-related government cost: ₹4,000

This excludes incorporation filing fees, stamp duty, digital signatures, trademark costs and professional fees. A timely direct extension to 60 days would produce the same ₹4,000 total.

What should you do after the name is approved?

Complete the incorporation application within the valid reservation period and treat brand protection as a separate exercise.

Prepare SPICe+ Part B, director and subscriber particulars, registered-office or correspondence-address documents as applicable, the memorandum and articles, and linked forms. Ensure the objects remain consistent with the approved name.

If the reservation expires without a valid extension, a fresh application may be necessary. The earlier approval does not guarantee renewed availability.

Consider trademark filing promptly after clearance. Company name approval does not create exclusive trademark rights or prevent an infringement claim. Registration offers statutory protection, while unregistered marks can also attract passing-off protection. See our trademark registration guide.

How SP & SC helps

SP & SC reviews name eligibility, searches company and trademark records, prepares justifications and coordinates incorporation filings.

Our start a business services cover incorporation support; our private limited registration guide explains the wider process.

Fees are a fixed quote after reviewing the case. We identify government charges separately and provide a written quote before work starts. Contact SP & SC or message WhatsApp at +91 90356 74566.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a company name reserved?

Normally 20 days from approval for a new company, with paid extensions to 40 or 60 days. Name-change reservations are normally valid for 60 days.

Does company name approval protect my brand?

No. MCA approval is not trademark registration and does not eliminate infringement or passing-off risks.

Can I use “India” in my company name?

Generally, yes, subject to the overall naming rules. There is no general requirement that the company be “suitably established”, but “India” alone will not cure similarity.

What if both proposed names are rejected?

Follow any permitted resubmission process within the stated deadline. Otherwise, file a fresh application with materially different names and the applicable fee.

Is approval within two days guaranteed?

No. Processing depends on scrutiny, supporting documents and clarification requests. Avoid committing to a launch date solely on an expected approval time.