Start a business

It depends on how many owners there are, how much personal liability you can accept, whether you plan to raise outside investment and how much annual compliance you want. A private limited company suits businesses that plan to raise equity or give shares to employees. An LLP suits professional and family businesses that want limited liability with lighter compliance. A proprietorship is simplest but gives no protection to the owner's personal assets.

No. The Companies Act does not prescribe a minimum paid-up capital for private companies. You can start with the capital the business actually needs.

Once the documents are complete and signed, incorporation through SPICe+ on the MCA portal usually takes a few working days. The time depends on name approval and the Registrar's processing, so there is no fixed guarantee.

Yes, subject to the foreign investment rules for the sector. Every company must have at least one director who has stayed in India for at least 182 days in the financial year.

The main steps are opening a bank account, holding the first board meeting, appointing the first auditor within 30 days, filing the declaration of commencement of business (INC-20A) within 180 days, and taking registrations such as GST where required.

Registration is not compulsory, but it gives you the exclusive right to use the mark and makes it easier to stop others copying it. You can use the ™ symbol once you have applied, and ® only after registration.