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Company Name Change Services India | RUN Application, INC-24 Filing & MOA Amendment | CA Mumbai
MCA Services

Company Name Change Services in India
RUN Application, INC-24 Filing, MOA Amendment & Post-Change Compliance

Name availability search, RUN application, board and special resolutions, Form MGT-14, Form INC-24, MOA amendment, fresh Certificate of Incorporation, and complete post-name-change updates to GST, PAN, TAN, bank accounts, and all registrations — the complete name change cycle managed end-to-end across India.

Part of our MCA services practice: MCA Compliance MOA Amendment AOA Amendment Company Compliance

What Is a Company Name Change — and Why Is the Process More Complex Than It Looks?

Changing a company's name involves a carefully sequenced process covering MCA name reservation, board and shareholder approvals, multiple ROC form filings, a Memorandum of Association amendment, a fresh Certificate of Incorporation, and a downstream wave of update obligations across every registration the company holds — GST, PAN, TAN, bank accounts, contracts, letterheads, trademarks, import-export code, and more. Done in the wrong sequence or with any step missed, the name change is legally incomplete and the company continues to operate under its old name for all regulatory and commercial purposes.

The 20-day RUN window is the most common mistake. The approved name through the RUN application is valid for only 20 days. All resolutions must be passed and Form INC-24 must be filed within this 20-day window. The EGM requires a minimum 21-clear-days notice period — which means the EGM notice must be dispatched on the same day the RUN approval is received (or within one day), and the EGM held within 20 days of RUN approval. A fresh RUN application must be filed if the window expires — which delays the entire name change by another 2 to 4 weeks.

N D Savla & Associates provides end-to-end company name change services for Private Limited Companies and LLPs across Mumbai and India — from name availability search and RUN application through board and special resolutions, Form INC-24 filing, MOA amendment, and complete post-change registration updates. For the official MCA portal and naming guidelines, refer to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs at mca.gov.in.

Company Name Change vs LLP Name Change — Step-by-Step

The process differs between Private Limited Companies and LLPs in the resolution type, forms filed, and timeline. Here is the complete step-by-step comparison:

Step Private Limited Company LLP Key Requirement
Name Availability Check Check proposed name on MCA21 portal — must not be identical or deceptively similar to existing company, LLP, or registered trademark. Same — check on MCA21 portal; must be unique across companies and LLPs. Trademark search on IP India also recommended. Proposed name must comply with Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014 naming guidelines.
Name Reservation File RUN (Reserve Unique Name) on MCA portal — can submit up to 2 proposed names in a single application. Same — file RUN on MCA portal. MCA approves or rejects within 1–2 working days; approved name valid for 20 days only.
Board Resolution Board passes resolution proposing name change and recommending EGM; EGM notice must be dispatched within 1 day of RUN approval. Designated Partners pass resolution approving name change. Board resolution must be passed and EGM notice dispatched before the 20-day window closes.
Special Resolution / Consent Shareholders pass special resolution at EGM approving name change under Section 13 (amendment of MOA). 75% vote required. Designated Partners pass consent — no AGM/EGM required for LLPs. 75% vote required for special resolution in Private Limited Company. EGM must be held within 20 days of RUN approval.
MGT-14 Filing File Form MGT-14 within 30 days of passing special resolution — attaching special resolution and explanatory statement. Not applicable for LLPs. Penalty for late filing: ₹100 per day with no cap.
Name Change Application File Form INC-24 (application for name change) with the ROC — attaching RUN approval, special resolution, MGT-14 acknowledgement, EGM minutes, and altered MOA. File Form LLP-5 for LLP name change. MCA processes and issues fresh Certificate of Incorporation or LLP Registration Certificate with new name within 7–15 working days.
Updated Certificate Fresh Certificate of Incorporation with new name issued by ROC — old CIN continues, only the name changes. Fresh LLP Certificate of Registration with new name issued by ROC. CIN and registration number remain the same — only the name changes on the certificate.
Post-Name-Change Updates Update GST (Form REG-14 within 15 days), PAN, TAN, bank accounts, contracts, letterheads, website, email IDs, and all registered documents with new name. Same updates required for LLP across all registrations and operational records. GST update within 15 days is mandatory. Failure to update bank records can disrupt business operations.

Why Companies Change Their Name — Six Common Triggers

Whatever the reason, the process under the Companies Act 2013 is the same — and every step must be completed correctly and in sequence:

Rebranding — New Business Direction

A company that pivoted from software to manufacturing, discontinued a product line, or professionalised its brand may want to shed a name that no longer reflects the business. Rebranding is a business decision — but the legal process is mandatory regardless of the commercial motivation.

Trademark Conflict Resolution

A company that discovers its name conflicts with an existing trademark — or that has been directed by a court or IPAB to change — needs to act quickly. Speed matters: the trademark holder can seek an injunction restraining use of the conflicting name while the dispute is pending.

Group Company Alignment

When a company becomes part of a larger group through acquisition or investment — particularly by a multinational — the parent company often requires the Indian subsidiary to align its name with the group naming convention. The process is the same whether voluntary or contractually required.

Removal of Founder Name

Promoter-name companies — 'Sharma Brothers Private Limited', 'Mehta Industries Private Limited' — often change their names when ownership transitions or when the company professionalises its brand. A personal name in a company name can deter institutional investors and is sometimes seen as a governance risk in succession planning.

ROC Direction Under Section 16

In some cases, the name change is not voluntary — it is directed by the Registrar of Companies under Section 16 of the Companies Act 2013. The ROC can direct a company to change its name if it is identical or similar to another registered company or trademark. A company that receives an ROC direction must comply within 3 months.

Post-Change Updates — Downstream Wave

Receiving the fresh Certificate of Incorporation is not the end — it is the beginning of a downstream wave of update obligations across GST, PAN, TAN, bank accounts, contracts, trademarks, import-export code, and all operational records. Missing any update creates inconsistency between the legal name and the company's operational identity.

How We Handle Company Name Change Engagements — 7-Step Process

1

Name Eligibility and Availability Assessment

We begin with a dual check — name availability on the MCA21 portal (checking against all registered companies and LLPs) and a trademark search on the IP India portal for the proposed name. We also assess whether the proposed name requires any regulatory approval (for sector-specific words like 'Finance', 'Capital', or 'Credit') before proceeding to the RUN application — to avoid a rejection that wastes the 20-day window. First Step
2

RUN Application Filing

We file the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) application on the MCA portal at mca.gov.in with the proposed name, significance of name, and reason for change — signed with the director's digital signature. We monitor the application and receive the approval or rejection within 1 to 2 working days. If rejected, we advise on alternative names and re-file. The 20-day countdown starts from the date of RUN approval. 1–2 Working Days
3

Board Resolution and EGM Notice

Once the name is approved through RUN, we immediately prepare the Board Resolution recommending the name change and calling an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). We draft the EGM notice with the explanatory statement under Section 102 of the Companies Act 2013 and dispatch it to all shareholders at least 21 clear days before the EGM date — with the EGM scheduled to fall within the 20-day RUN validity window. Day 1 of RUN Approval
4

Special Resolution at EGM and MGT-14 Filing

We assist with the EGM conduct — quorum verification, voting process, and minutes drafting. The special resolution approving the name change must be passed by at least 75% of shareholders voting in favour. Within 30 days of the special resolution, we file Form MGT-14 on the MCA portal — attaching the signed special resolution, EGM minutes, and explanatory statement. Within 30 Days of Resolution
5

MOA Amendment and Form INC-24 Filing

We prepare the amended Memorandum of Association with the new name substituted in the name clause — ensuring all other MOA content is preserved accurately. We file Form INC-24 with the ROC, attaching the RUN approval letter, special resolution, MGT-14 acknowledgement, EGM minutes, and altered MOA. The ROC processes INC-24 and issues the fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new name within 7 to 15 working days. Our MOA amendment and AOA amendment services are coordinated alongside the INC-24 filing where both are needed. 7–15 Working Days for Fresh Certificate
6

AOA Amendment (if Required)

Where the company's Articles of Association contain explicit references to the company name — in the name clause, in the preamble, or in any specific provision — we prepare and file the AOA amendment through Form MGT-14 within 30 days of the special resolution. Many standard Table-A AOA formats do not contain explicit name references and may not require a separate amendment — we assess this specifically for each company. Where Applicable
7

Post-Name-Change Registration Updates

After the fresh Certificate of Incorporation is received, we coordinate all downstream updates — GST Form REG-14 amendment (within 15 days — mandatory), PAN and TAN update applications, bank account name change letters with supporting documents, and notification letters to key contract parties. We provide the company with a complete post-name-change update checklist and track the completion of each update until the company is fully operating under its new name across all registrations. GST Within 15 Days — Mandatory

Common Questions on Company Name Change in India

What is the process to change a company name in India?
The process involves: (1) Name availability search on MCA21 portal and trademark search on IP India. (2) RUN application on MCA portal — approval in 1–2 working days; valid for 20 days only. (3) Board resolution recommending name change and calling EGM, with 21 clear days notice to shareholders. (4) Special resolution at EGM (75% vote required) — must be held within 20 days of RUN approval. (5) Form MGT-14 filed within 30 days of special resolution. (6) Form INC-24 filed with the ROC — attaching RUN approval, special resolution, MGT-14 acknowledgement, EGM minutes, and altered MOA. (7) ROC issues fresh Certificate of Incorporation with new name (7–15 working days). (8) Post-change updates to GST (within 15 days), PAN, TAN, bank accounts, and all other registrations.
How long does it take to change a company name in India?
A company name change typically takes 15 to 30 working days from start to fresh Certificate of Incorporation: name availability search (1 day); RUN application and approval (1–2 working days); board resolution and EGM notice period (minimum 21 clear days — dispatched immediately on RUN approval); EGM and special resolution (1 day, within 20-day RUN window); Form MGT-14 filing (within 30 days of special resolution); Form INC-24 filing and ROC processing (7–15 working days). Post-change updates to GST, PAN, and bank accounts add another 2 to 4 weeks depending on the number of registrations to be updated.
What are the prohibited company names under the Companies Act 2013?
Prohibited categories include: names identical or deceptively similar to an existing registered company, LLP, or registered trademark; names implying government association (National, Government, Central, Reserve, State, Republic) without Central Government approval; names for regulated sectors (Bank, Banking, Insurance, Mutual Fund, Venture Capital, Stock Exchange, SEBI, RBI, Cooperative) without the relevant regulator's approval; purely generic or descriptive names with no distinctive element; and names that are offensive, obscene, or contrary to public policy. A separate trademark search on the IP India portal at ipindia.gov.in is recommended before filing the RUN application — trademark conflicts are not automatically detected by the MCA21 system.
Does changing a company name change the CIN or registration number?
No. The Company Identification Number (CIN) is permanently assigned at incorporation and never changes — regardless of name changes, registered office changes, or other corporate changes. The ROC issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation reflecting the new name, but the CIN embedded in the certificate remains the same. All MCA records, historical filings, and the public database entry continue under the same CIN. The company's legal continuity is unaffected — all existing contracts and obligations remain valid under the new name.
What registrations must be updated after a company name change?
After receiving the fresh Certificate of Incorporation, update: GST registration (Form GST REG-14 — within 15 days, mandatory); PAN (application to Income Tax Department with fresh Certificate of Incorporation); TAN (update with Income Tax Department); all bank accounts and loan accounts (board resolution and KYC documents required); Import Export Code (IEC) if the company trades internationally; trademark registrations in the company's name at IP India; MSME Udyam registration; sector-specific licences (FSSAI, factory, pollution clearances); and all contracts, letterheads, invoices, website, email IDs, and customer-facing materials.

Ready to Change Your Company Name?

Whether you need a name availability check, RUN application filing, special resolution drafting, Form INC-24 filing, MOA amendment, or complete post-name-change registration update management — N D Savla & Associates handles the complete company name change process across India.

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