A company name change runs through four filings in sequence: RUN to reserve the new name (₹1,000, valid 60 days for an existing company changing its name — three times the 20-day window given to a fresh incorporation), a special resolution at a general meeting filed as MGT-14 within 30 days of that meeting, then INC-24 asking the Central Government to approve the change, and finally a fresh Certificate of Incorporation in Form INC-25. The new name is legally effective only from the date of that INC-25 certificate — not from RUN approval or the resolution date.
The step that trips up the most filers is Rule 29: a company cannot even apply for a name change while it is in default of filing AOC-4 or MGT-7, or in default of repaying matured deposits or debentures. If that is what is blocking you, clearing the backlog under the CCFS-2026 amnesty before 15 September 2026 is the fastest route back to eligibility. CapEasy runs the full RUN-to-INC-25 chain including the post-approval PAN, GST and bank updates.
Who this applies to and what blocks it
- Any private, public or OPC wanting to change its registered name — rebrand, business pivot, group restructuring, or adding/dropping "Private" in the name.
- Section 8 (non-profit) companies follow the same chain but need Regional Director/Central Government sign-off on licence conditions as well — treat as a longer, more document-heavy process.
- NBFCs and other sector-regulated companies may need a regulator NOC before or alongside INC-24; this is sector-specific, not universal.
- Rule 29 bar: no name-change application succeeds while the company is in default of annual filings (AOC-4/MGT-7) or of repaying deposits, debentures or interest. Cure the default first.
The RUN → MGT-14 → INC-24 → INC-25 chain
- Board meeting: pass a resolution approving the proposed new name(s), authorising the RUN filing, and calling the general meeting.
- File RUN on MCA V3 with one or two proposed names and pay ₹1,000 (non-refundable). On approval, the name is reserved for 60 days for an existing company changing its name.
- Hold the general meeting and pass the special resolution approving the new name and the altered MOA/AOA.
- File MGT-14 within 30 days of the resolution, with the certified special resolution, notice, explanatory statement and altered MOA/AOA; pay the normal slab fee.
- File INC-24 referencing the MGT-14 SRN, with the minutes, special resolution, altered MOA/AOA and the directors’ Rule 29 declaration on reasons for the change. There is no separate statutory deadline fixed for INC-24 itself — most practitioners file it promptly after MGT-14 rather than sitting on it.
- ROC examines the application for Rule 29 compliance, name uniqueness and the stated grounds — this is the stage most likely to draw a resubmission query.
- On approval, the ROC issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation (INC-25) — the new name takes legal effect from this date.
What it costs
RUN is a flat ₹1,000 per application. MGT-14 follows the standard authorised-capital slab:
| Authorised share capital | Normal filing fee |
|---|---|
| Less than ₹1,00,000 | ₹200 |
| ₹1,00,000 – ₹4,99,999 | ₹300 |
| ₹5,00,000 – ₹24,99,999 | ₹400 |
| ₹25,00,000 – ₹99,99,999 | ₹500 |
| ₹1,00,00,000 or more | ₹600 |
INC-24’s fee also scales with authorised capital on the same kind of slab; the MCA V3 portal computes the exact figure at filing — confirm it there before budgeting for a specific number. INC-25 carries no separate fee; it is issued automatically once INC-24 is approved.
What happens if you file late or get it wrong
A delayed MGT-14 runs on the standard additional-fee ladder below. Section 13 itself carries no distinct name-change penalty for a compliant, on-time filing after the 2020 decriminalisation round — the real exposure is (a) this fee ladder, and (b) the general false-declaration and fraud provisions (sections 448 and 447) if the Rule 29 director declaration turns out inaccurate. There is no separate published fine specific to a late INC-24 beyond the fee multiplier.
| Delay | Additional fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 days | 2x the normal fee |
| 31 – 60 days | 4x |
| 61 – 90 days | 6x |
| 91 – 180 days | 10x |
| Beyond 180 days | 12x (no upper band — it stays 12x indefinitely) |
How to file INC-24 on MCA V3
- Confirm the company is not in default of AOC-4, MGT-7 or any deposit/debenture repayment — Rule 29 blocks the filing otherwise.
- Log in to MCA V3 as a Business User with the signing director’s DSC associated, and have the MGT-14 SRN ready.
- Open Company e-Filing → Form INC-24, enter the CIN and the MGT-14 SRN to pre-fill.
- Attach the notice and explanatory statement, certified special resolution, minutes, altered MOA/AOA, and the directors’ Rule 29 declaration (commonly notarised in practice, though the rule text itself does not spell out the format).
- Affix the DSC and submit — MCA V3 generates an SRN; upload the DSC-affixed PDF within 15 days of the SRN and complete payment within the window the portal shows, or the SRN lapses.
- Track the application under My Applications through ROC examination.
- On approval, download the fresh Certificate of Incorporation (INC-25) — this is your proof of the new legal name.
After INC-25: what actually needs updating
- PAN and CIN stay the same — only the name on record is updated, not the numbers themselves.
- GST: file Form GST REG-14 for the legal-name change (a core-field amendment), typically processed in 3–7 working days.
- Trademark: a registered or pending trademark does not update automatically — file Form TM-P with the Trade Marks Registry to record the proprietor’s new name separately.
- Bank accounts, statutory registers, letterheads and signage need the new name; existing contracts remain valid under the same legal entity, but counterparties should be notified.
- Display duty: show both the old and new name on the registered-office board and specified documents for 2 years under section 12 — this is not optional.
- No newspaper advertisement is required for a straightforward company name change, unlike strike-off or capital reduction.
Primary sources
The dates and fees on this page are read off the statute and the MCA’s own published forms, not copied from other guides. You can check every one of them:
- General Clauses Act, 1897 — section 9 (commencement and termination of time)
- Companies Act, 2013 — full text (India Code)
- MCA — company forms and downloads
- MCA — official portal
Verified against the Companies Act, 2013 / LLP Act, 2008, MCA rules and circulars as of 31 July 2026. Your exact position depends on your entity and any notifications or circulars issued since — we confirm it for you, and always recommend checking the official MCA portal. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority. This page is a guide, not legal advice.