What Is SPICe+ Form? Part A & Part B Meaning, Fees and Process

Starting a company in India involves several steps, from choosing a company name to submitting documents and completing registrations. To make this process easier, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) introduced the SPICe+ form, an online form that brings multiple company registration services together. 

Need assistance? Connect with Startup Movers for incorporation, registration, compliance and expert guidance to make your business journey smooth. 

What is the SPICe+ form?

SPICe+ stands for Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus. It is an online form provided by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) for incorporating a new company in India. It allows applicants to reserve a company name, submit incorporation details and apply for linked registrations through an integrated process.

It helps business owners register Private Limited Companies, Public Limited Companies, One Person Companies (OPCs) and Section 8 Companies, apply for important identification numbers and complete other formalities through one streamlined process, reducing the time and paperwork involved in starting a business.

SPICe+ is associated with Form INC-32 for company incorporation. It replaced the earlier SPICe incorporation form as part of the government's Ease of Doing Business initiative in 2020.

What is the purpose of the SPICe+ form?

The main purpose of SPICe+ is to make company registration easier by bringing multiple services into one online process.

Its key purposes include:

• Reserving a company name: Helps you apply to use your chosen company name.
• Registering a company: Collects the details needed to legally incorporate the company.
• Obtaining a DIN:Eligible proposed directors who do not already have a valid Director Identification Number (DIN) can apply for one through SPICe+. 
• Getting PAN and TAN: Facilitates the company's Permanent Account Number and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number.
• Connecting other registrations: SPICe+ connects the incorporation process with EPFO and ESIC registration through the linked application.
• Reducing paperwork: Allows applicants to submit information electronically rather than completing several separate physical applications.

The idea is simple: fewer separate procedures can mean less administrative work for founders.

What are the main features of the SPICe+ form?

SPICe+ has several features that make company registration simpler for new business owners.

• Online company registration: You can submit the incorporation application through the MCA portal
• Two-part application: Part A deals with the company name, while Part B deals with incorporation and related details
• DIN application: Eligible directors who do not already have a DIN can apply for one through the form
• PAN and TAN allotment: The process facilitates the allotment of PAN and TAN to the new company
• Linked registrations: The application connects with other services, including GST registration if applied for, and relevant labour registrations
• Digital validation: The online form checks certain details as you enter them, helping reduce common filing mistakes
• Less paperwork: Applicants can complete several related formalities through an integrated process
• Company bank account application: The incorporation process includes a linked application for opening a bank account in the company's name

What are Part A and Part B of the SPICe+ form?

SPICe+ is divided into two main parts: Part A for name reservation and Part B for company incorporation. You can submit Part A separately or submit it together with Part B, depending on your application.

1. What is SPICe+ Part A?

SPICe+ Part A is the first part of the application, where you provide details about the name you want for your company.

What does Part A contain?

• Type of proposed company, such as a private company or One Person Company (OPC).
• Class and category of the proposed company.
• Proposed company name or names, as permitted by the form.
• Main business activity and the relevant business activity classification.
• Other information needed to assess the proposed name.

Can Part A be submitted alone?

Yes. You can submit Part A separately to reserve a name. Once the name is approved, you can proceed with Part B and the linked forms. Alternatively, you can file Part A and Part B together.

2. What is SPICe+ Part B?

SPICe+ Part B is the main company incorporation application. It collects the information the government needs to officially register your business.

If Part A is about choosing your company's name, Part B is about telling the government who owns the company, who runs it, where it operates and how its capital is structured.

What does Part B contain?

The MCA's SPICe+ Part B instructions organise the application into blocks covering the following areas.

• Company structure: Type, class, category and other details about the proposed company.
• Registered office: The company's official address and contact information.
• Subscribers and directors: The number of people subscribing to the company's founding documents and serving as directors.
• Subscriber details: Information about individual and non-individual subscribers, such as people or corporate entities investing in the company.
• Director details: Personal identification and other required details of subscribers who are also directors and other proposed directors.
• OPC nomination: Nominee details where the company is being formed as a One Person Company.
• Stamp duty: Details used to calculate the applicable stamp duty.
• PAN and TAN: Tax-related information required for allotment of the company's PAN and TAN.
• Attachments: Supporting documents required for the application.
• Director declaration: Confirmation by the director regarding the application and compliance requirements.
• Professional certification: Certification by the practising professional, where required.

How to file the SPICe+ form in India

Follow these steps to apply for company incorporation through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA):

1. Visit the MCA portal: Open the official MCA website at and sign in or create an account as required.
2. Choose the company name: Fill in SPICe+ Part A with the proposed name and the required business details.
3. Apply for name approval: Submit Part A separately or complete it together with Part B. If you file Part A separately, proceed after the name is approved.
4. Complete Part B: Enter the company's details, including its registered office, subscribers, directors and share capital.
5. Prepare the supporting documents: Attach the MOA, AOA, identity and address proofs, and other documents required for your company.
6. Complete linked forms: Fill in the required linked forms, including AGILE-PRO-S, and apply for the relevant registrations.
7. Digitally sign the application: Obtain the required digital signatures and professional certification.
8. Pay applicable fees and submit: Pay the applicable filing fees and stamp duty, where required, and submit the forms.
9. Wait for processing: The MCA reviews the application and may request corrections or additional information. Once approved, the company receives its Certificate of Incorporation, along with its Corporate Identity Number (CIN).

Always follow the latest MCA portal instructions, because the exact steps and required forms can vary depending on the application.

What is the importance of the SPICe+ form?

SPICe+ is important because it helps turn a business idea into a legally registered company.

Its importance can be understood in five simple ways.

• It gives the business legal recognition: Once incorporation is approved, the company becomes a separate legal entity, subject to the applicable company law.
• It helps establish ownership and management: The application records the people or entities subscribing to the company's founding documents and the proposed directors.
• It simplifies tax formalities: The process facilitates the allotment of PAN and TAN, which are important for a company's tax-related activities.
• It reduces administrative work: Instead of independently starting every connected application, founders can use an integrated filing process for several services.
• It supports business growth: A properly incorporated company can establish business relationships, enter contracts in its own name and pursue funding opportunities, subject to the relevant laws and requirements.

Which companies use the SPICe+ form?

SPICe+ is used to incorporate eligible new companies in India. It is not limited to one industry, so businesses in different sectors can use it.

Examples include:

• Private Limited Companies: Businesses started by founders who want a company structure with limited liability, subject to the law.
• One Person Companies (OPCs): Companies formed by one eligible member.
• Public Limited Companies: Businesses choosing a public company structure and meeting the applicable requirements.
• Section 8 Companies: Eligible organisations formed to promote charitable, educational, social, scientific or similar objectives, subject to Section 8 of the Companies Act.
• Producer Companies: Eligible companies formed for the interests of their producer members.
• Other eligible company types: Certain special categories and conversion-related cases are supported through the form's available options and applicable rules.

Important: SPICe+ is a company incorporation form, not a universal registration form for every business structure.A sole proprietorship is set up through the registrations applicable to the owner's business, while an LLP is formally incorporated through the MCA using the FiLLiP form.

What documents are required for the SPICe+ form?

The documents required for SPICe+ depend on the company's structure, its subscribers and directors, and the address of its registered office. Before filing, applicants should generally prepare identity and address proofs, PAN details where applicable, registered office documents, the Memorandum of Association (MOA), the Articles of Association (AOA), and the required declarations and digital signatures.

Additional documents may be needed for OPC nominees, corporate subscribers, foreign subscribers and Section 8 Companies.

Note: Always check the latest MCA instructions before filing because the exact document requirements can vary.

What information is entered in the SPICe+ form?

The form contains the information needed to identify the proposed company and its founders.

Here is a simple breakdown of the key information requested.

What are the SPICe+ form fees?

The cost of registering a company through SPICe+ depends on factors such as the company's authorised share capital, the state in which it is registered, applicable stamp duty and any additional services required.

Under the MCA's published incorporation rules, eligible companies with authorised capital of up to ₹15 lakh can receive a zero MCA filing-fee concession for incorporation forms. However, applicable state stamp duty and other charges may still be payable.

If you submit SPICe+ Part A separately for name reservation, a separate name-reservation fee applies. The fee schedule and eligibility conditions should be checked on the official MCA portal before filing.

Important: Zero filing fees do not necessarily mean zero total incorporation costs.

Is GST registration mandatory in the SPICe+ form?

GST registration is not mandatory for every new company simply because it is being incorporated. However, GST registration may be compulsory if the company falls under the applicable GST rules.

During company incorporation, applicants can use the linked AGILE-PRO-S form to apply for GST registration, where required or desired. GST registration is not automatically granted to every company simply because its incorporation application is approved.

When is GST registration required?

GST registration generally depends on the company's turnover, the nature of its supplies, where it operates and whether any compulsory-registration rule applies.

• Turnover below the applicable threshold: A business may not need GST registration if it qualifies for the relevant exemption and no compulsory-registration rule applies.
• Turnover above the applicable threshold: Registration is generally required when the business crosses the relevant limit.
• Certain compulsory-registration cases: Specific activities or circumstances can require registration even when turnover is below the usual threshold.
• Exclusively exempt supplies: A business supplying only goods or services that are wholly exempt or not liable to tax may fall outside the registration requirement, subject to the law.

GST registration is not automatically mandatory for every new company. In general, the registration threshold is ₹20 lakh for services and can be ₹40 lakh for businesses supplying goods exclusively in eligible states. Lower thresholds and special rules apply in certain cases. A business may also need GST registration below the usual threshold if a compulsory-registration provision applies. Therefore, founders should check the GST rules applicable to their business before deciding whether to apply.

Conclusion

The SPICe+ form makes company registration in India easier by bringing several important steps into one online process. Part A helps reserve the company's name, while Part B collects the details required for incorporation, including information about the founders, directors, registered office and capital structure.

Before filing, make sure you have the required documents and understand which linked registrations apply to your business. 

For startup founders, understanding SPICe+ is a useful first step towards building a legally registered business and managing its financial and compliance responsibilities properly.

Need assistance? Connect with Startup Movers for incorporation, registration, compliance and expert guidance to make your business journey smooth.