One Person Company
Start your solo entrepreneurial journey with limited liability protection. Complete OPC registration in 14 days with expert assistance.
Choose Your Plan
Perfect for submitting your company application with expert assistance in 14 days
Name Incorporation
excluding government fees & taxes*
Business Incorporation Basic
excluding government fees & taxes*
What You Get in RYS Professional
Digital Signature
For one director, enabling online filing and verification.
DIN
Director Identification Number for the director of your OPC.
Certificate of Incorporation
Includes the name and address of the company.
PAN & TAN
Corporate PAN and TAN registration for your company.
GST Registration
Optional GST registration if required for your business.
MOA & AOA Soft Copy
Memorandum and Articles of Association provided digitally.
Time Required to Register OPC
Document Preparation
Collection and verification of all required documents
DSC & DIN Application
Digital Signature and Director Identification Number
MCA Processing
Name approval and incorporation certificate issuance
Total Time: Approximately 14 days for complete OPC registration
Documents Required for OPC Registration
For Indian Nationals
Identity Proof
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport (if available)
Address Proof
- Latest Electricity Bill
- Rent Agreement (if rented office)
- NOC from Owner
Other Documents
- Passport Size Photographs
- Email ID & Mobile Number
- Educational Qualification
For Foreign Nationals
Identity Proof
- Passport (Mandatory)
Address Proof
- Driver's License
- Bank Statement
- Residence Card
Note: All foreign documents must be apostilled / notarised as per Hague Convention or consularised, depending on country of origin.
What is One Person Company (OPC)?
A One Person Company (OPC) is a business structure in India introduced under the Companies Act, 2013, designed for solo entrepreneurs who want to operate with the benefit of limited liability and a separate legal identity. It combines the advantages of a private company with the flexibility of a sole proprietorship.
It requires only one director and one shareholder, making it an ideal structure for individuals who want to start and manage a business on their own while still enjoying corporate status. OPC also enjoys perpetual succession, with a nominee appointed to take over in case of the sole member's incapacity or death.
OPC incorporation is simple and 100% online. A single person can register by deciding the company name, proposed registered address, equity capital, and by appointing a nominee. Registration is done through the SPICe+ form, which enables filing for name approval, incorporation, PAN, TAN, and GST in one go. To incorporate, you will need a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), a Director Identification Number (DIN), and basic documents like identity proof, address proof, and proof of registered office.
Benefits of Forming One Person Company (OPC)
Ideal for Solo Entrepreneurs
Perfect structure for solo entrepreneurs who want limited liability with full control.
Separate Legal Identity
Provides a separate legal identity distinct from its owner.
Limited Liability
Liability of the sole member is limited to the extent of shares held.
Perpetual Succession
Enjoys perpetual succession with a nominee appointed for continuity.
Easier Compliance
Simpler compliance compared to a private limited company.
Easy Conversion
Can convert into Private Limited Company or LLP when business grows.
More About One Person Company (OPC)
- OPC is governed by the Companies Act 2013 and regulated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
- Unlike a private limited company, OPC cannot raise equity funding from multiple investors, but it can raise funds through loans, bank finance, or by converting into a Private Limited Company when required.
- Shares of an OPC cannot be freely transferred to others. Any transfer requires changing the nominee and amending incorporation documents.
- A Statutory Auditor (Chartered Accountant) must be appointed within 30 days from incorporation.
- Share allotment should be done within 60 days of receiving the share application money (share capital amount).
- Board meetings are not mandatory when the company has only one director. If there is more than one director, at least one meeting in each half of the calendar year is required, and the gap between meetings must not be less than 90 days.
- Annual compliance is simpler compared to a Pvt. Ltd. Company: AOC-4 (Financial Statement) filed within 180 days from the end of the financial year and MGT-7A (Annual Return) filed within 60 days from the completion of 6 months from the end of the financial year.
Note: OPC is best suited for small businesses, professionals, consultants, solo entrepreneurs, e-commerce ventures, and service providers who want the benefit of limited liability and corporate identity without involving multiple shareholders.
Post-Incorporation Compliances (Early Checklist)
Immediate Actions (First 30 Days)
-
First Board Resolution
Within 30 days (if more than one director)
-
Appoint Statutory Auditor
Within 30 days (if not named in SPICe+)
-
Issue Share Certificate
To sole shareholder within 2 months
Within 180 Days
-
File INC-20A
Commencement of Business declaration
-
Display Company Board
With Name and CIN at registered office
-
Pay Stamp Duty
As per state law requirements
Ongoing Requirements
- Maintain statutory registers
- Print stationery with CIN & registered office
- Display name-board at business premises
- Set up compliance calendar for annual filings
Business Structure Comparison
| Feature | One Person Company (OPC) | Private Limited Company | Sole Proprietorship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing Law | Companies Act, 2013 (MCA) | Companies Act, 2013 (MCA) | No specific Act |
| Legal Status | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Not a separate entity |
| Liability | Limited to investment | Limited to shareholding | Unlimited (personal liability) |
| Members/Owners | 1 member + 1 nominee | Min 2, Max 200 shareholders | Single individual |
| Compliance | Moderate (ROC filings, audit if turnover > ₹2 cr) | High (board meetings, ROC filings, statutory audit) | Very low (basic tax filings only) |
| Taxation | Flat 25% + surcharge/cess | Flat 25% + surcharge/cess | Individual slab rates |
| Fundraising | Limited (cannot issue shares to public/investors) | Easy – preferred by investors & VCs | Almost impossible |
| Transferability | Possible only through nominee structure | Easily transferred via shares | Not transferable |
| Continuity | Perpetual succession (company survives beyond owner's life) | Perpetual succession | Ends with proprietor's life/decision |
| Ideal For | Solo entrepreneurs wanting limited liability & corporate status | Startups, SMEs, investors, growing businesses | Freelancers, local traders, micro businesses |
Compliances for OPC
| Compliance | Timeline / Frequency | Key Form(s) / Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board Meetings | Not mandatory for OPC with only one director. If >1 director, at least 1 meeting in each half of the calendar year with a gap of at least 90 days | Minutes to be maintained (if applicable) | To review and approve company matters |
| Appointment of Auditor | Within 30 days of incorporation | Form ADT-1 | Mandatory statutory auditor appointment |
| Annual Filing – Financial Statements | Within 180 days from end of financial year (FY ends March 31, so due date = September 27) | Form AOC-4 (OPC) | Filing balance sheet, P&L, auditor's report |
| Annual Filing – Return | Within 60 days from completion of AGM (AGM not required for OPC, but annual return must still be filed) | Form MGT-7A (for small co./OPC) | Filing company's annual return with MCA |
| Income Tax Return (ITR) | Annually, by 30th September (if audit required) | ITR-6 | Reporting company's income & tax liability |
| Commencement of Business | Within 180 days of incorporation | Form INC-20A | Declaration of subscription money received |
| Statutory Audit | Every year | Auditor's Report | Annual audit of books of accounts |
| Other Event-Based Filings | As and when applicable | DIR-12, PAS-3, INC-22, etc. | For changes in directors, allotment of shares, office address change, etc. |
Drawbacks of One Person Company (OPC)
- Only natural persons can become members.
- One cannot become a member in two OPCs.
- Not very well known in industries.
- Appointment of a nominee director is a burden.
- Compliance costs are high.
- Not easy to close.
- TDS deduction and compliance becomes mandatory.
- Comparatively costlier to manage than other entities.
- Cannot raise equity from investors like a Pvt. Ltd. Company, limited to loans or self-funding unless converted.
- Only one shareholder is allowed, hence not suitable for businesses requiring multiple founders.
- OPCs are prohibited from engaging in non-banking financial investment activities.
- Though lighter than Pvt. Ltd., it still requires auditor appointment, filing of AOC-4 and MGT-7A, and maintenance of books.
- Heavy fines apply for non-compliances under the Companies Act, 2013.
Step by Step Process to Incorporate OPC
Document Collection
Collect all required documents and information
DSC & DIN
Apply for Digital Signature and Director Identification Number
Name Approval
Get company name approved through RUN service
SPICe+ Filing
File SPICe+ form for incorporation and other registrations