SPICe+
Single integrated MCA21 form for company incorporation, replacing multiple separate registrations.
Filing window
Name reservation valid for 20 days; full incorporation must be completed within 90 days of name reservation
Regulator
Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
Regulator
Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
Deadline
Name reservation valid for 20 days; full incorporation must be completed within 90 days of name reservation
Penalty
Rejection of incorporation requires re-filing with fresh fee...
Legal basis
Companies Act, 2013
What is SPICe+?
SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) is the integrated web-based form on the MCA21 portal through which all new companies in India are incorporated. Introduced in February 2020 as a replacement for the earlier SPICe form, SPICe+ bundles eight separate services into a single application: company name reservation, incorporation, Director Identification Number (DIN) allocation, PAN, TAN, EPFO registration, ESIC registration, and Professional Tax registration (for applicable states).
The form has two parts. Part A handles name reservation, which can be filed standalone for advance approval. Part B handles the full incorporation along with associated registrations. SPICe+ is filed alongside e-MoA (electronic Memorandum of Association), e-AoA (electronic Articles of Association), and AGILE-PRO-S form for GSTIN, opening a current bank account, and Shops and Establishment registration.
- +All new private limited companies
- +Public limited companies
- +One Person Companies (OPC)
- +Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of foreign parents
- +Producer Companies and certain Section 8 companies
Statutory basis
Companies Act, 2013
Section 7 read with Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014
Rule reference
MCA Notification dated 18 February 2020 (SPICe+ launch)
Enforced by
Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), through MCA21 portal and Registrar of Companies (ROC)
Citations are editorially curated. Always verify current applicability with qualified Indian counsel before acting on a specific matter.
The stake
Filing window for SPICe+. Skipping or mishandling this compliance carries direct financial and operational consequences.
Why SPICe+ matters for your GCC
SPICe+ is the gateway to legal entity existence in India. The form's quality determines incorporation speed: properly drafted MoA, correctly classified NIC codes, and clean director KYC enable a 4-6 week timeline from filing to Certificate of Incorporation. Errors in SPICe+ trigger ROC queries that extend timelines by weeks per cycle. For GCCs, the integrated nature of SPICe+ also means a single rejection cascades across PAN, TAN, EPFO, and ESIC dependencies.
The 4 ways SPICe+ goes wrong
Real scenarios from real GCC compliance audits. Each one preventable.
Trap 01
Drafting an Objects Clause that is too narrow, requiring later amendment under Section 13 for new business lines
Trap 02
Selecting incorrect NIC code that triggers Government Approval Route FDI requirements
Trap 03
Submitting unsigned or improperly notarised parent company documents from foreign jurisdictions
Trap 04
Underestimating the time required for Apostille and Embassy attestation of foreign-source documents
Done for you
GCC Setup and Advisory
irpr.network prepares and files SPICe+ end-to-end for GCC incorporation, including MoA/AoA drafting aligned to your parent's global standards, director KYC coordination, and ROC liaison.
Our workflow
- 01Identify the trigger event in your GCC operations
- 02Prepare and validate the SPICe+ filing or compliance step
- 03Submit to the regulator and obtain acknowledgement
- 04Track in your compliance calendar for ongoing or recurring obligations
Concepts connected to SPICe+
These terms are filed together, depend on each other, or share regulatory authority.
MCA and ROC
DIN
Unique 8-digit identification number issued by MCA to every director of an Indian company.
MCA and ROC
DSC
Cryptographic certificate enabling directors to sign electronic filings on MCA21, GST, and Income Tax portals.
MCA and ROC
AOC-4
Annual MCA filing of audited financial statements; due within 30 days of the AGM.
MCA and ROC
MGT-7
Annual MCA return covering company shareholders, directors, and corporate structure; due within 60 days of AGM.
FEMA and RBI
FDI Automatic Route
FDI route allowing 100 percent foreign investment without prior government or RBI approval, subject to sectoral caps.
Asked about SPICe+
4 specific questions that GCC operators ask most often, answered with citations to the relevant regulations.
Need help with SPICe+?
IRPR Network manages SPICe+ as part of GCC Setup and Advisory, with a zero-penalty guarantee.
Explore the serviceQ01How long does it take to incorporate a company in India using SPICe+?
+
From filing of a complete SPICe+ application to Certificate of Incorporation typically takes 7-15 working days at ROC level, plus 1-3 days for prior name approval. With document preparation, DSC procurement, and parent company document apostille, the full timeline is usually 4-6 weeks from kickoff for a foreign-owned subsidiary.
Q02What documents must accompany SPICe+ for a foreign-owned subsidiary?
+
Apostilled parent company incorporation certificate, parent company board resolution authorising the Indian subsidiary, director KYC (passport, address proof, DSC, DIN application if not already issued), proposed director's affidavit and consent (INC-9, DIR-2), registered office proof, and the e-MoA and e-AoA. Foreign documents require Apostille (or Embassy attestation if the originating country is not party to the Hague Convention).
Q03Can a foreign national be the sole director of an Indian company incorporated through SPICe+?
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No. Section 149(3) of the Companies Act 2013 requires at least one director who has resided in India for at least 182 days in the previous calendar year. Many GCCs use a nominee resident director through their advisor in the initial phase before transitioning to a permanent local hire.
Q04What is the difference between SPICe+ Part A and Part B?
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Part A is the name reservation module, which can be filed independently to secure a company name in advance. Part B is the full incorporation module, requiring all director details, capital structure, MoA, AoA, and registration data. Most GCCs file Part A and Part B together as one workflow.
Handle SPICe+ the right way, the first time.
Book a 30-minute consultation. We will map your SPICe+ obligations alongside every other India compliance for your GCC, on one calendar, one retainer.
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