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MCA Company Name Availability Guidelines in India (2025) | SS Auditors

Introduction

Starting a business in India begins with MCA company name approval. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has strict rules to ensure names are unique, compliant, and legally valid.

In this blog, we explain MCA company name availability guidelines (2025), the RUN vs SPICe+ process, and best practices to avoid rejection.

1. MCA Rules for Unique Company Name Availability

  • Your proposed name must be unique and not deceptively similar to an existing company/LLP.

  • Spelling changes, spacing, or adding hyphens do not count as uniqueness.

  • Always check the MCA name search tool before applying.

🔗 Need expert help? Explore our Private Limited Company Registration Service which includes a free name search.

2. Restricted and Prohibited Words

Certain words require special approvals:

  • Financial terms like Bank, Insurance, Stock Exchange, Mutual Fund, Nidhi need RBI, IRDA, or SEBI clearance.

  • Words implying government affiliation such as National, Authority, Board need prior approval.

👉 Planning a rebrand? Check our Company Name Change Service for quick MCA approvals.

3. No Offensive or Misleading Names

  • MCA rejects names that are vulgar, obscene, or misleading.

  • A name cannot imply government patronage without approval.

  • Avoid names already protected under the Trademark Act, 1999.


4. Proper Use of Suffixes

Suffixes indicate your business structure:

  • Pvt Ltd → Private Limited

  • Public Co → Limited

  • LLP → LLP

  • One Person Company → OPC

Not sure which to choose? Read our blog: How to Choose Between Pvt Ltd & LLP

5. RUN vs SPICe+ – Name Reservation with MCA

RUN (Reserve Unique Name)

  • Best for reserving/changing company names.

  • 2 name options allowed.

  • Valid for 20 days (extendable up to 60 days).

SPICe+ Part A

  • Used during incorporation.

  • Only 1 name option allowed.

  • No separate validity.

💼 Want a stress-free process? Our Company Registration Packages cover both RUN and SPICe+ filings.

6. Trademark Check Before MCA Approval

Even if MCA approves your name, it can be rejected later due to trademark conflicts. Always check with the IP India Trademark Database.

7. Best Practices for MCA Name Approval

  • Keep 2–3 backup names ready.

  • Avoid generic terms like Solutions or Consultancy.

  • Match your name with the MoA (Memorandum of Association).

Need compliance help? Our Legal Documentation Services ensure MoA & AoA are perfectly aligned.

8. Validity of MCA Name Reservation

  • Initial validity: 20 days.

  • Extensions available:

    • Up to 40 days → ₹1,000

    • Up to 60 days → ₹2,000–₹3,000

⚡ Don’t miss deadlines — use our  Annual Compliance for Private Limited Company for timely reminders.

FAQs

Q1: How do I check company name availability on MCA?

You can check via the MCA portal using RUN or SPICe+. SS Auditors helps with search & filing. Q2: How many days is an MCA name reservation valid?

20 days, extendable up to 60 days with fees. Q3: Can two companies have the same name in India? No. MCA rejects identical/deceptively similar names. Trademark check is also mandatory.

Conclusion

Getting MCA company name approval in India requires attention to detail — from uniqueness checks and suffix rules to trademark clearance and RUN vs SPICe+ filings.

👉 Start today with:

With SS Auditors & Tax Consultants, you save time, ensure compliance, and build a strong foundation for your business.

 
 
 

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