Most delays in registering a private limited company or OPC come from a short list of avoidable problems: a name that resembles another, an address proof that is too old, a PAN that does not match the DSC, or a director whose DIN is blocked. Each problem below says what you will see on the MCA portal, why it happens and exactly what to do next.
11 problems solvedFor founders, CAs, CSs and accountantsLast reviewed: 5 October 2026
Company name rejected: "too nearly resembles an existing company or trademark"
What you see
The RUN or SPICe+ Part A application comes back rejected or marked for resubmission with a remark that the name is identical to, or too nearly resembles, an existing company, LLP or registered trademark.
Why it happens
The proposed name differs from an existing name only by plural or singular form, spelling, tense, spacing, punctuation, a word like "The", or the type of company ("Private Limited", "LLP"). Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules treats these as the same name.
A trademark is registered or applied for in the same field under the Trade Marks Act.
The name uses a word that needs Central Government or regulator approval, or is considered undesirable.
The name is too generic, such as "Global Solutions" or "Best Traders", with nothing distinctive.
How to fix it
Run the MCA "Check company or LLP name" search and the IP India trademark public search for every shortlisted name, including close spellings.
Build the name from a distinctive coined or invented word plus a word that describes the main object, for example "Vritika Infotech Private Limited". The activity word should match the object clause.
If RUN marked the name for resubmission, answer every remark in that single resubmission. RUN allows only one resubmission, within 15 days. Where the similar name belongs to your own group or a related trademark owner, attach their no-objection letter or board resolution.
If the name is finally rejected, file a fresh RUN with new names. The ₹1,000 RUN fee is not refunded, so do the searches before you pay again.
Avoid it next time
Shortlist four or five distinctive names, check both MCA and trademark records, and explain the meaning of a coined word in the comments box.
Name was approved but the reservation expired before SPICe+ was filed
What you see
SPICe+ Part B cannot be linked to the approved name, or the portal shows that the reserved name has lapsed.
Why it happens
A name reserved for a new company is valid for only 20 days from the date of approval.
Documents such as the office NOC, the utility bill or the directors' DSCs were not ready when the name was approved.
How to fix it
Before the 20 days end, you can extend the reservation under Rule 9A by paying a government fee: ₹1,000 extends it to 40 days from approval, and ₹3,000 extends it to 60 days. If you already paid for 40 days, a further ₹2,000 paid before day 40 extends it to 60 days.
If the name has already lapsed, check that it is still free and apply again through RUN or SPICe+ Part A.
Collect every incorporation document before you reserve the name next time, so that Part B can be filed within days.
Avoid it next time
Treat name approval as the last step before filing, not the first. Keep DSCs, the address proof and the director KYC ready first.
SPICe+ marked for resubmission: what to do and how long you have
What you see
The SRN status changes to "Pending for resubmission" and the Central Registration Centre (CRC) remark lists defects. Typical defects are an object clause, a missing NOC, an unclear proof or a subscriber detail.
Why it happens
The CRC examiner found a defect that can be corrected instead of rejecting the application outright.
The usual causes are a vague or regulated object clause, an address mismatch, an illegible scan, or different spellings of a name across documents.
How to fix it
Open the SRN from your application history and read every point in the remark. Some remarks have two or three parts.
Correct the form data and replace the attachments. Where a remark needs an explanation rather than a document, add a short covering letter as an optional attachment.
Resubmit within the time limit shown against the SRN. Do not let it lapse. A form that is not resubmitted in time can be rejected, and you may have to start again.
Re-sign the linked forms (eMoA, eAoA, AGILE-PRO-S) with DSCs wherever the portal asks for it.
Avoid it next time
Before the first filing, check that every person's name, father's name, date of birth and address is identical across PAN, Aadhaar, the DSC and the proof documents.
Law: Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules 2014 (processing and resubmission of e-forms)Company registration service →#
For founders
Registered office proof rejected: utility bill too old or NOC missing
What you see
The CRC remark says the address proof is not acceptable, is older than two months, does not match the address entered, or that there is no NOC or rent agreement.
Why it happens
The electricity, gas, telephone or water bill is older than two months.
The address on the bill differs from the address typed in the form, for example a missing flat number, a different landmark or a different PIN.
The premises are rented or owned by a relative, but no owner's NOC or rent agreement is attached.
The bill is in the name of a previous owner, and no ownership document links it to the current owner.
How to fix it
Attach a utility bill for the premises that is not older than two months.
Attach a signed NOC from the owner allowing use as the registered office. Add the rent or leave-and-licence agreement if the premises are rented, or the sale deed or property tax bill if the bill is in someone else's name.
Copy the address into the form exactly as it appears on the bill, including the PIN code.
A residential address is acceptable as a registered office if the owner consents.
Avoid it next time
Get the latest bill and a signed NOC on the day you start the filing, and copy the address exactly from the bill.
PAN and Aadhaar names do not match, so the DSC or DIN application fails
What you see
PAN verification fails in SPICe+ or DIR-3, or the DSC provider refuses to issue a certificate. Messages such as "Name as per PAN does not match" are common.
Why it happens
The name is spelt differently in PAN and Aadhaar, for example with initials in one and full names in the other, or with a different surname after marriage.
The date of birth differs between PAN and Aadhaar.
The DSC was issued in a name that does not match the PAN exactly.
How to fix it
Decide which record is correct and fix the other one first: a PAN correction through Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL, or an Aadhaar update through UIDAI.
Wait until the corrected PAN details show in the Income-tax database, which can take a few days.
Get a new DSC in the name exactly as per PAN. A DSC with the wrong name cannot be edited.
Then apply for the DIN or file SPICe+.
Avoid it next time
Check every director's PAN, Aadhaar and passport (for foreign nationals) before buying DSCs.
Law: Rule 9 and Rule 10, Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules 2014Director KYC documents →#
Founders & professionals
The proposed director's existing DIN is "Deactivated"
What you see
SPICe+ will not accept the DIN, or the director master data shows "Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC".
Why it happens
The director already holds a DIN from an earlier company and did not complete DIR-3 KYC by the due date.
How to fix it
Do not apply for a second DIN. A person may hold only one DIN, and holding two is an offence.
File Form DIR-3 KYC Web with the ₹5,000 reactivation fee, signed with the director's own DSC and certified by a practising CA, CS or CMA.
Once the DIN shows "Approved", use it in SPICe+.
Avoid it next time
Check every proposed director on MCA's "View DIN/DPIN details" before you begin. DIR-3 KYC now runs on a three-year cycle, so keep track of the next due date.
Law: Section 155, Companies Act 2013; Rule 12A, Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules 2014DIR-3 KYC: the new 3-year rule →#
Founders & professionals
A proposed director is disqualified under section 164(2)
What you see
The director's DIN is flagged as disqualified, or SPICe+ rejects the appointment.
Why it happens
The person is or was a director of another company that did not file its financial statements or annual returns for three continuous financial years. Every director of that company is disqualified for five years.
How to fix it
Check the director master data on MCA to confirm the disqualification and which company caused it.
Choose a different person as director for the new company, or wait until the disqualification period ends.
Bring the defaulting company up to date, or close it properly, and take professional advice on any relief available. Filing the old returns does not by itself lift the disqualification.
Avoid it next time
Never leave an old company unfiled. Either keep its filings current or close it through STK-2.
Foreign national or NRI director documents are rejected
What you see
The CRC remark says the foreign director's identity or address proof is not properly authenticated, or that no director is resident in India.
Why it happens
Documents signed or issued outside India were not notarised and apostilled (in Hague Convention countries) or consularised at the Indian embassy.
No director has stayed in India for at least 182 days in the financial year, as section 149(3) requires.
The passport is not attached, or the address proof is older than permitted.
How to fix it
Have the passport and the address proof notarised in the country of residence, then apostilled or consularised, as Rule 13 of the Incorporation Rules requires.
Name at least one director who meets the 182-day residence condition in India.
Re-attach the authenticated documents and resubmit within the allowed window.
Avoid it next time
Start authenticating foreign documents early. Apostille and courier take time, and the address proof must still be current when you file.
Registration cost is much higher than expected because of authorised capital
What you see
The SPICe+ fee and stamp duty shown before payment are much larger than the quote you were given.
Why it happens
MCA fees and the state stamp duty on the MoA and AoA both increase with authorised capital.
A high authorised capital, such as ₹50 lakh or ₹1 crore, was chosen to "look bigger", even though the paid-up capital will be small.
How to fix it
Start with an authorised capital that covers the shares you will actually issue in the near term. Companies with authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh pay no MCA registration fee for SPICe+ (stamp duty still applies).
Increase it later, when you need to, with an ordinary resolution and Form SH-7.
Avoid it next time
Authorised capital is a ceiling, not the money in the bank. Size it to your next 12 to 24 months of share issues.
The DIN application says the mobile number or email is already in use
What you see
An OTP or validation error says the mobile number or email is linked to another DIN or user.
Why it happens
One family mobile number or the consultant's email was used for several directors. MCA needs a separate, personal mobile number and email for each DIN.
How to fix it
Give each director's own mobile number and personal email.
If a director's details were wrongly entered against another DIN in the past, that DIN holder must update their particulars through DIR-3 KYC first.
Avoid it next time
Collect each director's personal mobile number and email at the start. Do not use the office or consultant's contact details.
Law: Rule 12A, Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules 2014DIR-3 KYC guide →#
Stuck on one of these right now? Send us the SRN, the notice or a screenshot of the error. We will tell you the fix and the deadline, and file it for you if you want.