What is SPICe+ Part A?

SPICe+ Part A is a web form filed with the Central Registration Centre (CRC) for the purpose of reserving a proposed company name before incorporation. It is governed by Section 4 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with Rules 8 and 9 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.

The form serves two purposes:

  1. Reservation of a new company name — valid for 20 days from the date of approval.
  2. Extension of name validity — beyond the initial 20 days, up to a maximum of 60 days.

SPICe+ Part A is the first step in the company incorporation journey. It feeds directly into SPICe+ Part B for the full incorporation application.

Who Should File SPICe+ Part A?

Any promoter or professionals intending to incorporate a new company in India must file SPICe+ Part A to reserve the proposed company name. This applies to:

  • Private Limited Companies
  • Public Limited Companies
  • One Person Companies (OPC)
  • Producer Companies
  • Unlimited Liability Companies (Private or Public)
  • Companies converting from LLP (Part I — LLP to Company)
  • IFSC Companies

Types of Companies and Naming Conventions

When proposing a name, the suffix must match the type of company as follows:

Type of CompanyName Format
One Person CompanyABC (OPC) Private Limited
Private Limited CompanyABC Private Limited
Producer CompanyABC Producer Company Limited
Public Limited CompanyABC Limited
Unlimited Liability PrivateABC Private Unlimited
Unlimited Liability PublicABC Unlimited

Important: Abbreviations such as “PVT”, “PVT.”, “(P)”, “LTD”, “LTD.” are not permitted in the proposed name.

Step-by-Step Process to File SPICe+ Part A

Option 1: Via MCA Services Menu

  1. Visit the MCA homepage at www.mca.gov.in
  2. Login with valid MCA portal credentials
  3. Go to MCA Services → Company Services → SPICe+ Part A
  4. Fill up the application form
  5. Optionally search for CIN/LLPIN (required if converting from LLP)
  6. Click Auto Check to validate the form
  7. Optionally save as draft
  8. Click Submit
  9. Note the SRN (Service Request Number) generated
  10. Complete payment within 7 days of SRN generation (else SRN is cancelled)
  11. Receive acknowledgement email
  12. Approval/rejection letter sent to registered email
  1. Search for “SPICe+ Part A” in the MCA homepage search bar
  2. Login and proceed with steps 4–12 above

Tip: The SRN generated after submission can be used for all future correspondence with MCA regarding this application.

Resubmission Process

If MCA marks your application as “Resubmission Required”, you must resubmit within T+15 days (where T is the date of marking).

Steps for Resubmission:

  1. Login to MCA portal
  2. Go to Application History in your user dashboard
  3. Select the SPICe+ Part A application with status “Resubmission Required”
  4. Make the necessary corrections
  5. Perform Auto Check
  6. Submit the form

Important: The user ID used for original submission must be the same as the one used for resubmission.

Alternatively, click the link provided in the resubmission notification email and login to directly access the form for correction.

How to Extend Reserved Name Validity

The initial name reservation is valid for 20 days. You can extend it in two tranches up to a maximum of 60 days.

Extension Options:

Radio ButtonExtension PeriodFee (INR)
Option 120 to 40 days₹1,000
Option 220 to 60 days₹3,000
Option 340 to 60 days₹2,000

Steps to Extend:

  1. Login to MCA portal
  2. Access Application History → relevant SRN
  3. Open the application dashboard (status: “SPICe+ Part A Approved”)
  4. Click the Extend button against the approved form
  5. Select the extension period
  6. Pay the applicable fee
  7. Acknowledgement email is generated

Field-Level Instructions for SPICe+ Part A

Type of Company (Field 1a)

  • Select from the dropdown
  • If SPICe+ Part B is filed after name reservation, this field is pre-filled and non-editable
  • On resubmission, the value is pre-filled; ‘Part I Others’ option is disabled

LLPIN (Mandatory for LLP-to-Company conversion)

  • Enter a valid and active LLPIN
  • Use the search option to find the LLPIN by full or partial LLP name

NIC Codes (Industry Classification)

  • Search and select up to three five-digit NIC Codes
  • Search by code number or description
  • Designate one as the primary industrial classification
  • For IFSC Companies, the first two digits of NIC code must be 64, 65, or 66

Proposed Name

  • Up to two names can be proposed; at least one is mandatory
  • Maximum 75 characters per name
  • Non-ASCII characters are not allowed
  • Refer to the list of permitted special characters (see below)

Attachments

  • Format: PDF or JPG only
  • Size: Up to 6 MB per attachment
  • Total submission size: Up to 10 MB
  • Up to 5 optional attachments permitted

Permitted Special Characters in Company Name

The following special characters are allowed in a proposed company name:

` @ # $ % & * ( ) - _ = + [ { } ] | \ ; : " , < . > / ? ~ ! and space

Fee Structure

PurposeNormal Fee (INR)
Reservation of Name (initial 20 days)₹1,000
Extension: 20 to 40 days₹1,000
Extension: 20 to 60 days₹3,000
Extension: 40 to 60 days₹2,000

Note: No additional delay fee (late fee) applies to SPICe+ Part A filing.

Processing Mode

SPICe+ Part A is processed in Non-STP (Straight Through Processing) mode, meaning it involves human review by the Central Registration Centre (CRC) before approval or rejection.

Important Checkpoints Before Filing

  • Register on the MCA portal before attempting to file
  • Use the same login credentials for both original submission and resubmission
  • The proposed name must comply with the Companies Act, 2013 and relevant rules — it should not be undesirable, misleading, or identical/similar to an existing company
  • Keep monitoring the Notifications and Alerts section under ‘My Workspace’ in the FO user dashboard
  • If any field lacks space, additional information can be submitted as an optional attachment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I propose two company names in SPICe+ Part A? Yes, you can propose up to two names. At least one proposed name is mandatory.

Q2. How long is the name reserved after approval? The name is reserved for 20 days from the date of approval by CRC. It can be extended up to 60 days by paying additional fees.

Q3. What happens if I don’t pay fees within 7 days of SRN generation? The SRN will be automatically cancelled. You will need to start the process afresh.

Q4. Is SPICe+ Part A mandatory before filing SPICe+ Part B? No, it is not mandatory. SPICe+ Part B can be filed directly without prior name reservation through Part A. However, if Part A is filed and approved, Part B will be pre-filled with the approved name.

Q5. Who processes SPICe+ Part A? The Central Registration Centre (CRC) processes the application in Non-STP mode.

Q6. Can any special characters be used in the company name? Only the special characters listed in Annexure B of the instruction kit are permitted. Non-ASCII characters are not allowed.

Summary

SPICe+ Part A is the gateway to company name reservation in India. It is a simple, web-based application filed with CRC under the Companies Act, 2013. The name is reserved for up to 20 days (extendable to 60 days) upon payment of prescribed fees. Company Secretaries, Chartered Accountants, and promoters should ensure that the proposed name complies with naming guidelines and that all filings are made through the correct MCA portal login credentials.

Disclaimer

This article is based on the official Instruction Kit published by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the content is intended for general guidance purposes only. MCA forms, rules, and fee structures are subject to change through amendments to the Companies Act, 2013 or notifications issued thereunder.

In case of any inconsistency or doubt, readers are advised to refer to the official MCA helpkit and resources available on MCA website