Key Features of SPICe+ – Simplifying Business Incorporation in India
As part of the Government of India’s Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) initiative, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has introduced SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) — an integrated web-based form designed to make starting a company in India faster, simpler, and more efficient.
SPICe+ replaces the earlier SPICe form and provides a single platform to access 11 services across three Central Government Ministries/Departments — Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Labour, and Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance).
It also integrates services from three State Governments (Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal) and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, thereby reducing time, cost, and procedures required for company registration. The SPICe+ system is applicable for all new company incorporations with effect from 7th June 2021.
Key Features
- Integrated Web Form: SPICe+ combines multiple incorporation-related services into one streamlined online process.
- Two-Part Structure:
- Part A: For name reservation of new companies.
- Part B: For incorporation and additional services, including:
- Company incorporation
- Director Identification Number (DIN) allotment
- Mandatory issue of PAN and TAN
- EPFO and ESIC registration
- Profession Tax registration (for Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal)
- Opening of the company’s bank account
- GSTIN allotment (if applied for)
- Registration of Shops and Establishments (for companies incorporated in Delhi)
- Flexible Submission Options: Users can file Part A and Part B separately or together as needed.
- Enhanced Dashboard: A user-friendly dashboard provides an organized view of applications, approvals, and resubmissions.
- Seamless Continuation: Once the name is approved under Part A, the incorporation process (Part B) can continue without re-entering details.
- Simplified Resubmission Process: Applications for name reservation or incorporation can be modified or resubmitted easily through the dashboard.
- RUN Service Limitation: From 23rd February 2020, the RUN service is applicable only for the change of name of existing companies.
- Real-Time Validation: The web form includes on-screen filing and real-time data validation to minimize errors.
- Automatic Pre-Fill: Approved details from Part A automatically populate in all linked forms such as AGILE-PRO-S, eMoA, eAoA, URC1, and INC-9.
- Section-Based Form Design: SPICe+ is divided into multiple logical sections for easy navigation.
- Save and Modify Functionality: Data entered in the form can be saved, reviewed, and modified anytime before submission.
- Web-Based Validation: Most validations, except DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) verification, happen directly within the form.
- One-Click PDF Generation: After completing the web form, users can generate a PDF instantly for affixing DSCs.
- Digital Submission: All digitally signed applications can be uploaded along with linked forms as per the standard process.
- Editable After Signing: Even after generating and signing the PDF, changes can be made and re-uploaded.
- Upload-Level Validation: DSC and other necessary validations take place during upload.
- Mandatory Registrations:
- EPFO & ESIC: Required for all companies incorporated after 23rd February 2020.
- Profession Tax: Compulsory for companies in:
- Maharashtra – from 23rd February 2020
- West Bengal – from 12th March 2020
- Karnataka – from 8th October 2020
- Mandatory Bank Account Opening: All new companies must open their bank account through the AGILE-PRO-S web form linked with SPICe+.
- Shops and Establishment Registration (Delhi): First-time registration is automatically provided for companies incorporated in Delhi from 7th June 2021.
- Auto-Generated Declarations: Declarations by subscribers and first directors in INC-9 are automatically generated in PDF format and submitted electronically (except where total subscribers/directors exceed 20 or any do not possess DIN/PAN).