SPICe+ Application: FAQs (MCA Company Registration in India)

Section 1: Decoding SPICe+

1. What is SPICe+ (SPICe Plus)?

SPICe+ is an integrated web-based form on the MCA portal used for company incorporation in India. It combines multiple registrations- company formation, PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO, ESIC, and more- into a single application. 

2. What does SPICe+ stand for?

SPICe+ stands for Simplified Proforma for Incorporating a Company Electronically Plus- a newer, more powerful version of the earlier SPICe form.

3. Is SPICe+ mandatory for company registration?

Yes. For incorporating Private Limited, OPC, Section 8, or Producer Companies, SPICe+ is the only valid form.

4. How many services are covered under SPICe+?

SPICe+ offers 11 integrated services, including:

• Name reservation
• Company incorporation
• Director DIN allotment
• PAN & TAN
• EPFO & ESIC registration
• Professional Tax (in select states)
• Bank account opening (via partner banks)
• GST registration
• Opening of AGILE-PRO form services

5. What types of companies can be incorporated using SPICe+?

SPICe+ is used for:

• Private Limited Company
• One Person Company (OPC)
• Public Limited Company
• Section 8 Company
• Producer Company
• Nidhi Company

6. Is SPICe+ applicable for LLP registration?

No. LLPs are incorporated through FiLLiP (Form 2), not SPICe+.

7. Can I use SPICe+ to convert an existing business into a company?

No. SPICe+ is only for new company incorporations. Conversion requires separate MCA forms.

Section 2: Structure and Pre-requisites 

8. What are the parts of SPICe+?

SPICe+ has two parts:

• Part A: Name Reservation
• Part B: Incorporation + Integrated Registrations (PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO, ESIC, PT, Bank Account)

9. Can I apply for name approval directly from SPICe+?

Yes. You can:

• Apply only for name reservation via Part A, OR
• Directly proceed with full incorporation through Part A + Part B

10. What is RUN (Reserve Unique Name) vs SPICe+ Part A?

RUN is used only for name changes in existing companies, while SPICe+ Part A is used for name reservation for new companies.

11. What documents are required for SPICe+ submission?

Common documents include:

• PAN & Aadhaar of directors
• Passport (if NRI/foreign director)
• Address proof of directors (not older than 2–3 months)
• Registered office proof (rent agreement/utility bill)
• NOC from the property owner
• Declaration forms (INC-9 auto-generated)
• MOA & AOA (eMoA & eAoA formats)

12. Is Digital Signature (DSC) required for SPICe+?

Yes. All directors and subscribers must sign using a valid DSC.

13. Do I need DIN before filing SPICe+?

No. DIN is automatically allotted to up to 2 directors through SPICe+.

14. What are the limits for DIN allotment through SPICe+?

SPICe+ allots DIN to a maximum of 2 first-time directors. Additional directors must apply for DIN via DIR-3 post-incorporation.

Section 3: Name Reservation Process (Part A)

15. Does SPICe+ support multiple name choices?

Yes. You can propose two names in Part A. If both are rejected, a fresh application is needed.

16. Can I apply for multiple name reservations in SPICe+ Part A?

No. SPICe+ Part A allows two name choices in one application. If both are rejected, you must file a new Part A with fresh fees.

17. What are the rules for choosing a company name in SPICe+?

Your name must:

• Not be identical/similar to an existing company/LLP
• Not use government or regulated words without approval (e.g., “Stock Exchange”, “Mutual Fund”, “Insurance”)
• Not include offensive or prohibited terms
• Align with MCA’s Name Availability Guidelines

18. Can I modify SPICe+ Part A after approval?

No. After name reservation is approved, it is final for 20 days (for new companies). Within this period, you must complete Part B.

19. What happens if SPICe+ Part A expires?

If Part A is not used to complete incorporation within 20 days, you must file a fresh name reservation.

Section 4: Integrated Registrations (Part B & AGILE-PRO)

20. Is PAN & TAN included in SPICe+?

Yes. PAN & TAN are auto-generated through the form and issued with the Certificate of Incorporation.

21. Do I get GST registration through SPICe+?

Yes. GST registration can be applied through the AGILE-PRO S form linked to SPICe+. It is optional unless GST is mandatory for your business model.

22. Is EPFO and ESIC registration mandatory through SPICe+?

Yes. These are mandatory, even if your company has no employees initially.

23. What is AGILE-PRO (or AGILE-PRO S)?

It is the form linked to SPICe+ used for:

• GST
• EPFO
• ESIC
• Professional Tax (where applicable)
• Opening a bank account

24. Is it mandatory to open a bank account through AGILE-PRO?

MCA highly encourages it, and for many states, it is now part of the integrated process. CASA accounts open automatically through partner banks.

Section 5: Filing, Forms and Attachments

25. What documents must be attached to SPICe+ Part B?

Common attachments include:

• Proof of office address
• NOC from the owner
  
  
• Utility bill (not older than 2 months)
• ID/address proof of directors
• Consent to act as director (DIR-2)
• MOA & AOA (auto-generated or custom)

26. What is INC-9 in SPICe+?

INC-9 is a declaration by subscribers and directors. SPICe+ auto-generates INC-9, and a digital signature is used instead of physical signing.

27. What are eMOA (INC-33) and eAOA (INC-34)?

These are electronic MOA and AOA formats filled online. For complex structures, users can upload custom MOA/AOA.

28. Can foreign subscribers sign eMOA and eAOA?

Not directly if they don’t have DSC. In such cases, physical MOA/AOA with notarization/apostille must be scanned and uploaded.

29. Does SPICe+ require uploading physical documents?

No. All documents are uploaded digitally with DSC-based verification.

Using an object keyword (e.g., Tech, Services, Foods) is recommended.

30. Can I save my SPICe+ form and complete it later?

Yes. SPICe+ forms can be saved in draft mode and completed later via the MCA dashboard.

Section 6: Approval and Post-Process

31. How long does the SPICe+ approval process take?

Typically 7–10 working days, depending on MCA workload and accuracy of documents.

32. What if my SPICe+ application is rejected?

MCA will provide resubmission remarks. You can correct the issues and resubmit without additional fee within the allowed time.

33. What are the common reasons SPICe+ applications get rejected?

• Incorrect name choice
• Mismatch in address proof and utility bill
• Improper DSC usage
• Incorrect NOC from landlord
• Wrong attachments
• MOA/AOA errors
• Authorised capital mismatch
• Subscribers are not signing correctly

34. Is stamp duty refundable if the application is rejected?

No. Stamp duty is non-refundable from the Government. 

35. How do I track my SPICe+ application status?

You can track it using:

• SRN number
• MCA dashboard
• Email/SMS alerts from MCA

36. Does SPICe+ generate the Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes. After approval, MCA issues:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• PAN
• TAN
• DIN (if allotted) 

37. Do I get a hard copy of the Certificate of Incorporation?

No. MCA issues only digital certificates, which are fully valid for all legal purposes.

Section 7: Specific Cases

38. Can foreigners incorporate a company using SPICe+?

Yes, provided they have:

• Passport
• Apostilled/Notarised documents
• Indian address proof (for the resident director)
• One Resident Indian Director is mandatory

39. Is stamp duty included in SPICe+ fees?

No. Stamp duty depends on the state of incorporation and is auto-calculated during filing.

40. Can Section 8 Companies use SPICe+?

Yes. SPICe+ supports the incorporation of non-profit Section 8 companies, with specific MOA/AOA formats.

41. Is there a threshold limit for authorised capital?

No minimum capital requirement (₹1 is valid). However, stamp duty may depend on the capital structure.

42. Does SPICe+ allow private limited companies with only one director?

No. A minimum of two directors is mandatory for a Private Limited Company. For OPC, only one director is allowed.