Full company status for solo founders, without needing a co-founder
A One Person Company (OPC) is a company structure introduced under the Companies Act, 2013, allowing a single individual to incorporate a company with limited liability — something previously only possible for sole proprietors by giving up liability protection, or for multi-member companies. It combines the legal standing and credibility of a company with the simplicity of single ownership.
We handle end-to-end OPC incorporation — nominee documentation, DSC, name approval, drafting, MCA filing, and post-incorporation registrations.
Key requirements at a glance
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Members | Exactly 1 (the sole member) |
| Nominee | Mandatory — 1 nominee who becomes member if the sole member dies/is incapacitated |
| Directors | Minimum 1 (can be the same person as the sole member) |
| Minimum capital | No minimum prescribed |
| Liability | Limited to unpaid value of shares held |
| Name suffix | Must include “(OPC) Private Limited” |
| Governing law | Companies Act, 2013 |
| Eligibility | Only a natural person who is an Indian citizen and resident in India can form an OPC |
Why founders choose OPC over a sole proprietorship
What’s included in our incorporation service: DSC for the sole member/director, nominee consent documentation, name reservation, drafting of MOA & AOA, Certificate of Incorporation, company PAN, TAN, and GST registration where applicable.
Typical timeline: 7–12 working days from receipt of complete documents, subject to name availability and MCA processing time.
Step 1 — Eligibility check and structuring
We confirm the sole member is an Indian citizen and resident (stayed in India for not less than 182 days in the previous financial year), and identify a nominee in advance — mandatory before filing can begin.
Step 2 — Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
The sole member (and director, if different) needs a Class 3 DSC to sign electronic filings, requiring video KYC and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification.
Step 3 — Nominee consent
The nominee’s written consent is obtained in Form INC-3, along with their PAN and Aadhaar. The nominee’s name is disclosed in the incorporation documents and can be changed later by the member if needed.
Step 4 — Name reservation
We check name availability against existing companies and trademarks, then reserve it via SPICe+ Part A on the MCA portal, with up to two name options submitted.
Step 5 — Drafting MOA and AOA
The Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are drafted, incorporating the nominee clause specific to OPCs alongside standard company objects and governance provisions.
Step 6 — SPICe+ Part B filing
The incorporation application is filed, bundling company incorporation, DIN allotment for the director, PAN, TAN, and — via the linked AGILE-PRO-S form — GST registration, EPFO, ESIC, and bank account opening request.
Step 7 — Certificate of Incorporation (COI)
On approval, the ROC issues the COI along with your Corporate Identification Number (CIN), company PAN, and TAN.
Step 8 — Post-incorporation compliance
From the sole member/director
From the nominee
For the registered office
Additional notes
Limited liability protection
Unlike a sole proprietorship, the founder’s personal assets are shielded — liability is capped at the unpaid value of shares held in the company.
Separate legal entity
The OPC can own property, enter contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name, and continues to exist even if the sole member changes, via the nominee mechanism.
Full ownership and control
The sole member retains 100% ownership and decision-making authority — no need to bring in a co-founder just to satisfy a minimum-member requirement.
Business continuity built in
The mandatory nominee ensures the company doesn’t dissolve or stall if something happens to the sole member — the nominee steps in as member, keeping operations and contracts intact.
More credible than a proprietorship
A registered CIN and formal company structure carries more weight with banks, vendors, and clients than an unregistered proprietorship, often easier for institutional bank lending.
Simpler compliance than a Private Limited company
Certain relaxations apply — such as not requiring a company secretary’s certification in some filings and reduced board meeting frequency in specific cases — while still retaining full company status.
A stepping stone to Private Limited
An OPC can be converted into a Private Limited company as the business grows, whether voluntarily or when mandated (currently triggered by exceeding prescribed paid-up capital or turnover thresholds), making it a natural starting structure for solo founders who may scale later.