Change your company name,all the way to a fresh certificate.
A pivot in what the business does, a trademark objection forcing a rethink, a term sheet that requires it, or the original name that no longer describes the current company. Each triggers the same Section 13 procedure: RUN name reservation, special resolution, MGT-14, INC-24, and a fresh Certificate of Incorporation.
Brief last revised · July 2026
How the name change works
From name reservation to fresh Certificate of Incorporation.
Situations that bring people to this filing
A company name is not just paperwork. It sits on every contract, every invoice, every customer receipt, and every regulator's record. Changing it is deliberate. These are the four patterns behind almost every name-change filing:
- i.
The business pivoted and the old name no longer fits
The company was named at incorporation before the actual business was found. Two years and one pivot later, the name describes an old product line, a market you exited, or a customer segment you moved on from. Renaming aligns the legal identity with what customers actually see.
Rename to reflect the pivot - ii.
A trademark objection is forcing a change
A brand owner has filed a cease-and-desist, an opposition, or a full infringement claim. Continuing to trade under the current name risks damages and an injunction. Filing a corporate name change alongside a trademark defence is the cleaner path.
Rename due to a trademark issue - iii.
Investors want the name changed before the round closes
The lead investor's term sheet requires the company to rename before the round closes. Often because the current name is tied to a previous business model, an exiting founder, or a brand the investor cannot support. Speed matters; the round is waiting on this.
Rename for an investor round - iv.
Consolidating multiple lines under one name
Two related companies are being combined, a holding company is taking on the operating name, or a subsidiary is being moved up to become the primary brand. Renaming aligns the legal structure with how the market sees the group.
Rename to consolidate
Five steps to the new certificate
Changing a company's name is a five-step procedure under Section 13 of the Companies Act 2013. Each step depends on the one before it. Skipping ahead or filing the wrong form invalidates the sequence.
The five steps
- i.
Name reservation (RUN)
Two proposed names are filed in order of preference through the Reserve Unique Name application. The Ministry checks the name against its master data and the trademark register. Turnaround is 2–3 working days. If both are rejected, one resubmission is allowed.
- ii.
Board resolution
Once the name is reserved, the board resolves to recommend the name change to the shareholders and calls a general meeting. The reserved name is valid for 20 days, so the meeting has to be held inside that window.
- iii.
Special resolution at EGM
The shareholders pass a special resolution at the EGM approving the change of name. Three-fourths majority of votes cast is needed. Notice of the meeting must be sent 21 clear days in advance, unless every shareholder consents to a shorter notice.
- iv.
MGT-14 filing
The special resolution is filed with the Ministry through MGT-14 within 30 days. The resolution, the amended MoA and AoA, and the explanatory statement are all attached.
- v.
INC-24 and INC-25
INC-24 is the application to the Central Government for the change. Once approved, the Registrar issues INC-25, the fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new name. The CIN stays; the name is live on the public record the same day.
The three forms involved
- RUNReserve Unique Name, the first filing. Two name choices in order of preference. Filed by any director with a DSC. Valid for 20 days once reserved.
- MGT-14Filing of the special resolution passed at the EGM. Filed within 30 days of the resolution. Digitally signed by a director and certified by a Practising Company Secretary.
- INC-24Application to the Central Government for the change of name. Filed after MGT-14. The Central Government approval, once granted, is issued as INC-25, the fresh Certificate of Incorporation.
Documents you will need to send
The paperwork is compact. Every piece has to be exact for the Central Government to approve INC-24.
About the current company
- Certificate of Incorporation, current MoA and AoA
- Latest audited balance sheet, so the Central Government sees the current financial position
- List of shareholders as on the latest annual return
- Digital Signature Certificate of a director for filing MGT-14 and INC-24
About the new name and the resolution
- Two proposed new names in order of preference
- Reason for the change, in plain English, for the explanatory statement
- Signed minutes of the EGM recording the special resolution as passed
- Amended MoA with the new name clause, signed by every subscriber (the current directors)
- NOC or objection responses from any regulator whose sector-name approval is affected
Done within 14 to 21 working days
Most name changes wrap in about three weeks from a clean start. Timing only stretches if both proposed names are rejected in the RUN stage, or if the Central Government asks for a clarification on INC-24.
- Day 1
Briefing and name shortlisting
You share the reason for the change and two proposed names. Both are cross-checked against the MCA name register, the trademark register in your relevant classes, and phonetic-collision heuristics before the RUN application is drafted.
- Days 1–3
RUN application filed with the Ministry
The RUN (Reserve Unique Name) application is filed with two name choices in order of preference. The Ministry usually decides within 2–3 working days. If both names are rejected, one resubmission is allowed on the same fee.
- Days 3–7
Board resolution and EGM notice
Once the name is reserved, the board resolves to propose the name change to the shareholders and issues the EGM notice with the explanatory statement. The 21-day notice period starts running, unless every shareholder consents to a shorter notice.
- Days 7–14
EGM, MGT-14, and INC-24
The EGM is convened and the special resolution to change the name is passed. MGT-14 (special resolution filing) is filed within 30 days. INC-24 (application to the Central Government for the name change) is filed immediately after.
- Days 14–21
Fresh Certificate of Incorporation
The Central Government approves INC-24 and the Registrar issues INC-25, the fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new name. CIN stays the same. The new name is live on the public record the same day.
Our fee
Starting at ₹10,000 for the filing itself.
- Professional fee₹10,000Per name change. Includes the pre-filing name and trademark check, RUN application, board resolution, EGM notice, MGT-14, INC-24, and follow-up until the fresh certificate is issued.
- MCA filing fees₹1,000 – ₹3,000RUN fee (₹1,000), MGT-14 fee (₹300 – ₹600 by capital slab), and INC-24 fee (₹500 – ₹2,000 by capital slab). Total varies with your authorised share capital.
- Name-resubmission fee (if needed)₹1,000One resubmission is allowed if both proposed names are rejected. Payable to MCA. Adds 2–3 working days to the timeline.
- Downstream registration updatesAs add-onsBank, GST, EPFO, ESIC, IEC, and other registration name changes are separate applications on each portal. Priced individually as add-ons once the fresh certificate is in hand.
Your exact all-in number, including any downstream registration updates you bundle, appears in the online form before any payment is taken.
What changes on the ground
The fresh Certificate of Incorporation is the operative document from its issue date. Every downstream record needs to catch up, and none of them updates automatically from MCA.
- Fresh Certificate of Incorporation receivedINC-25 (the fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new name) is downloaded. The CIN, PAN, and TAN stay the same. The old certificate is retained for history but the new one is the operative document.
- Amended MoA and AoA on recordThe company's copy of the MoA has the name clause rewritten. The AoA follows. Both are printed with the new name and the effective date noted.
- GST portal legal-name updateGST REG-14 is filed on the GST portal within 15 days to update the legal name. GSTIN stays the same, but every future GST return must show the new name in the header.
- Bank account name changeThe bank is submitted a certified copy of the new certificate, the board resolution approving the change, and the amended MoA. Account number and IFSC stay; the name printed on cheques and statements is updated. This typically takes 5–10 working days at the bank's end.
- Income Tax records and PAN cardThe company's PAN card is auto-reissued with the new name; a fresh physical card arrives within 15–30 days. TAN stays. The Income Tax portal automatically syncs from PAN.
- EPFO, ESIC, and labour registrationsEach labour-law portal has its own name-change application: EPFO, ESIC, Shop Act, Professional Tax. None auto-update from MCA. Skipping any of these leaves the employee-side records in the old name and can cause salary-slip and TDS-form mismatches.
- IEC, MSME, and other licencesIEC on the DGFT portal, Udyam on the MSME portal, and any industry-specific licence carries the company name. Each has its own change process. Missing this leaves cross-border trade documents and licence renewals in the old name.
- Letterheads, invoices, signage, websiteEvery customer touchpoint carries the name: letterheads, business cards, invoices, PO templates, office signage, website, social media handles, email addresses. Old-name documents dated after the effective date of the change are technically invalid.
Common mistakes to avoid
The mistakes are almost always at the edges: name choice, sequencing, or downstream neglect.
Reserving a name without checking the trademark register
The MCA name register and the trademark register are separate. A name available on MCA can still infringe an existing trademark. Reserving a name, filing INC-24, getting the new certificate, and then facing a trademark suit is a very expensive sequence. Check both registers before the RUN application, not after.
Missing the 20-day reservation window
Once RUN reserves a name, the company has 20 days to convene the general meeting and pass the special resolution. If the EGM slips past day 20, the reservation lapses and RUN has to be refiled, with the fee and the delay both starting over.
Filing INC-24 before MGT-14 is accepted
INC-24 depends on MGT-14 having been accepted by MCA. Filing INC-24 while MGT-14 is still under review results in INC-24 being rejected as premature. Wait for the MGT-14 acknowledgement, then file INC-24 the same day.
Not updating GST portal within 15 days
GST REG-14 (legal-name change) has to be filed on the GST portal within 15 days of the new certificate being issued. Missing this attracts a late fee and, if the delay is long, GST officers can raise scrutiny queries on returns filed under the old name.
Continuing to use the old name after the effective date
Invoices, letterheads, contracts, and website content dated after the effective date of the change should carry the new name. Continuing to use the old name creates documents that are technically issued by a non-existent entity. Banks and auditors raise this at the next review.
Understanding the rename
The structural background, read at your pace, in any order.
How the Ministry checks names
Most RUN rejections come from one rule: the proposed name is ‘too nearly resembling’ an existing company or LLP name on the Ministry's master data. The test is more mechanical than people expect, and knowing how it works before proposing a name doubles the odds of first-attempt approval.
What the Ministry strips out before comparing
- i.
Plurals and tense variations
'Bakers' and 'Baker' are treated as the same name. 'Running' and 'Run' are treated as the same.
- ii.
Spelling variations
'Color' and 'Colour' are treated as the same. 'Tek' and 'Tech' are treated as the same. Slang substitutions of letters ('z' for 's', 'k' for 'c') do not create distinction.
- iii.
Common business words
Words like 'Solutions', 'Services', 'Technology', 'Enterprises', 'Group', 'Ventures' are treated as filler and stripped before comparison. 'Apex Solutions' and 'Apex Services' are treated as the same.
- iv.
Geographic prefixes and suffixes
'Indian', 'India', 'Asia', 'Global', city names are stripped before comparison. 'Mumbai Apex' and 'Apex Mumbai' both reduce to 'Apex'.
- v.
Articles and connectors
'The', 'And', '&', 'For' are ignored. Spacing, hyphens, and dots between words are ignored. 'A&B Tech' and 'A B Technology' are treated as the same.
- vi.
The legal suffix
'Private Limited', 'LLP', 'Limited', '(OPC)' are never part of the comparison.
After the strip-out, the Ministry compares the remaining core name. If the core is identical or sounds too close to an existing name, the application is rejected, even if the two names look quite different on paper. A concrete example: ‘Mumbai Pluto Tech Solutions’ and ‘Pluto Ventures India’ both reduce to ‘Pluto’ before comparison, so both collide with any existing company or LLP whose core is ‘Pluto’, even if neither exact name exists.
Trademark vs corporate name
The Ministry's name register and the trademark register are two separate systems. A name available at the Ministry can still infringe a trademark held by someone else, and using it can expose the company to a trademark-infringement suit even though the Ministry approved the corporate name.
Lists every company and LLP name currently registered or recently struck off. The Ministry's check is mechanical and limited to this register. Approval means the name is not identical to another entity's name; it does not mean the name is clear for commercial use.
Lists every trademark filed or registered with the Trade Marks Registry, across 45 product and service classes. A name registered as a trademark in your line of business by a third party can block your use of it commercially, regardless of whether the Ministry has blocked it on paper.
The trademark holder can issue a cease-and-desist notice, file an opposition to your trademark application, or sue for infringement. Damages and an injunction against continued use are both available remedies. Forced rebranding mid-business is far more expensive than getting the name choice right at the start.
Where a name clears both registers, filing a trademark application in your business's product and service classes locks in exclusive commercial use of the name from that date. This defensive filing is a small extra cost and comes up in many name-change engagements.
When a rename is worth it
A company name carries weight far beyond the filing. Contracts, brand equity, supplier credit history, search-engine presence, and customer recognition all depend on it. The decision to rename is rarely just a legal one. The most common reasons that actually justify the effort:
The old name no longer describes the business
A pivot in product, geography, or customer segment that makes the original name stale or misleading. This is the most common reason and usually the most defensible.
The old name conflicts with an existing brand
A trademark holder has objected, or the company is preparing for a market or geography where the current name is already taken. Resolving the conflict on the back foot is much more expensive than a proactive change.
A funding round or acquisition expects it
Investors sometimes require a name change as a condition of the term sheet, usually when the current name is tied to a previous business model or to a founder who is exiting. The change is often paired with a fresh Memorandum amendment.
The company is consolidating multiple lines
Two related companies are being combined, a holding company is taking on the operating name, or a subsidiary is being moved up to be the primary brand. Renaming aligns the legal structure with how customers see the business.
The downstream of a name change
A name change is sometimes pitched as ‘just a filing’. It is mechanically simple, but the downstream updates can take weeks if not managed. The table below sets out what rolls over automatically and what needs separate action.
| Item | Automatic? | Action needed |
|---|---|---|
| CIN (corporate identity number) | Yes, stays the same | None |
| PAN and TAN | Numbers stay; new cards auto-issued | None |
| Memorandum and Articles | Updated as part of the filing | None |
| Existing contracts and agreements | Stay valid in the new name | Send formal intimation; counter-parties may require an addendum |
| Bank account | Account number stays; name update needs a bank application | Submit certified copy of new certificate, board resolution, updated MoA |
| GST registration | GSTIN stays; legal name needs separate update | File Form REG-14 on the GST portal within 15 days |
| EPFO and ESIC | No, separate update on each portal | Update employer name on each portal |
| IEC, MSME, Shop Act, PT | No, separate update on each portal | File the name-change application on each portal |
| Letterheads, invoices, signage, website | No, operational change | Replace all materials with the new name from the effective date |
| Customer-facing branding | No, communication exercise | Send a customer intimation; update marketing materials |
Downstream registration updates (bank, GST, EPFO, IEC, and others) can be bundled as add-ons once the fresh certificate is in hand. Quoted as a package on request.
What a rebrand actually costs
The filing itself is the cheapest part of a name change. The real spend is on the operational rollover: updating every customer touchpoint, supplier record, marketing asset, and contract. For a working business, this typically dwarfs the filing fee. The categories most often underestimated:
Brand and creative
New logo, brand guidelines, website redesign, social media handles, photography updates. Typical range: ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh for a small business, ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakh for one with active marketing.
Print and signage
Letterheads, business cards, brochures, office and store signage, vehicle livery, packaging, uniforms. Varies sharply by physical footprint. A retail chain can spend ten times what a services business spends here.
Digital migration
Domain name change, website redirects to preserve search rankings, email migration, app-store listings, payment-gateway updates, ad-platform account renames. Handled carefully, this preserves SEO; done poorly, it destroys years of ranking work.
Customer and partner notifications
Customer intimation letters, supplier and bank notifications, partner agreements re-papered, employment letters re-issued. Mostly internal time, but real time. A large customer base can take a full quarter to work through.
Frequently paired with this.
Change Business Activity
Add or remove a business activity by amending the Main Object clause in your MoA.
Increase Authorized Share Capital
Increase your authorised share capital. Ordinary resolution, SH-7 filing, and state stamp duty on the increase.
Add or Remove Director
Add or remove a director in a Pvt Ltd or OPC. Filed via DIR-12 with the Registrar.
- i.
Fill the online form
Save and resume anytime. No pressure to finish in one sitting.
- ii.
Review the scope and fee
The exact all-in fee, the timeline, and what's included appear together before any payment.
- iii.
Filing begins
Your dashboard tracks every step. Every form is signed and certified by a Practising Company Secretary.