# Business Setup in India — Every Entity Type

> Setting up a business in India means choosing a legal form — sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, private or public company, or a special-purpose entity such as a Nidhi, producer company or Section 8 company — and registering it with the right authority. Companies and LLPs are incorporated online with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs through SPICe+ and FiLLiP; foreign companies can instead open a liaison, branch or project office with Reserve Bank approval through an authorised dealer bank.

## Who this is for

- Founders choosing between a company, LLP and other legal forms
- Foreign companies entering India through a subsidiary or office
- NRIs and foreign nationals who want to own and run an Indian company
- Farmer groups, mutual-benefit societies and families setting up special entities

## Services

- [Public Limited Company Registration](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/public-limited-company-registration) — Incorporate a public company with 3+ directors and 7+ shareholders
- [Nidhi Company Registration](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/nidhi-company-registration) — Mutual-benefit company that accepts deposits from and lends to its members
- [Producer Company & FPO Registration](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/producer-company-registration) — Farmer producer organisations incorporated as producer companies
- [Indian Subsidiary Registration](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/indian-subsidiary-registration) — Wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign company under the FDI automatic route
- [Liaison Office Registration in India](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/liaison-office-registration) — Representative office of a foreign company — no commercial activity
- [Branch Office & Project Office Registration](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/branch-project-office-registration) — Foreign company branch or project site office under FEMA
- [Company Registration for NRIs & Foreign Nationals](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/company-registration-for-nri-foreigners) — Indian company owned or run by NRIs, OCIs and foreign individuals
- [HUF Formation — Deed, PAN & Bank Account](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/huf-deed-pan-registration) — Create a Hindu Undivided Family as a separate taxpayer
- [Company & LLP Name Search and Reservation](https://www.industax.com/services/business-setup/company-name-reservation) — Name availability check and RUN / SPICe+ Part A reservation

## FAQs

### Which business structure is best in India?

It depends on what you need. A private limited company suits businesses that want to raise equity or offer ESOPs; an LLP gives limited liability with lighter compliance for service firms; a sole proprietorship is cheapest to start but gives no liability protection. Special forms such as Nidhi, producer and Section 8 companies exist only for their specific purposes.

### Can a foreigner or NRI register a company in India?

Yes. Foreign nationals and NRIs can be directors and shareholders of an Indian private company under the automatic FDI route in most sectors. At least one director must have stayed in India for 182 days or more in the financial year, and share allotments to non-residents must be reported to the RBI in Form FC-GPR.

### What is the government fee for company registration?

For a company with authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh, the MCA filing fee for SPICe+ is nil. You still pay stamp duty on the MoA and AoA (which varies by state), the name-reservation fee if applicable, and the cost of digital signature certificates for directors.

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This is general information, not advice for your specific facts.