Company name and trademark availability check
Test your startup name against MCA naming rules, restricted regulatory keywords, and Nice trademark classes before submitting RUN or SPICe+.
Statutory Compliance Breakdown
- 2-Part Name Structure (Brand + Activity)Passes standard Rule 8 format check.
- No Generic Article PrefixDoes not start with 'A', 'An', or 'The'.
- Sectoral Regulator Restriction CheckFree from restricted regulatory keywords.
- Capital Adequacy for Scale KeywordsAuthorized share capital complies with scale keywords.
- Clean Punctuation & CharactersAlphanumeric only without illegal punctuation.
Legal Diligence
Company Registration vs. Trademark Registration
Many founders assume that registering a company automatically gives them exclusive rights to their brand name. Here is how MCA name reservation differs from Trademark registration:
| Feature | MCA Company Registration | Trademark Registration (IP India) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Authority | Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) / ROC | Trade Marks Registry (Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks) |
| Core Objective | Establishes a distinct legal entity (Pvt Ltd, LLP, OPC) with separate legal identity and perpetual succession. | Safeguards intellectual property, logo, symbol, brand name, and phonetic pronunciation across commerce. |
| Legal Protection Scope | Prevents any other business from incorporating an identical or deceptively similar company name in India. | Provides pan-India exclusive proprietary ownership to use the mark and sue competitors for infringement. |
| Symbol Granted | CIN (Corporate Identity Number) & Certificate of Incorporation | ™ symbol upon filing application; ® symbol upon official registration |
| Government Fees | ₹0 for SPICe+ Part A with incorporation; ₹1,000 for standalone RUN form | ₹4,500 for DPIIT-recognised startups and individuals; ₹9,000 for standard enterprises |
| Validity Period | 20 days for name reservation; perpetual for the incorporated entity (subject to annual ROC filings) | 10 years from the date of application, renewable indefinitely every 10 years |
Naming Architecture
Five rules to avoid MCA Central Registration Centre (CRC) rejections
Over 40% of name reservation filings face resubmission queries. Follow these statutory principles under Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules:
Use a Coined, Non-Generic Prefix
Avoid generic descriptive words like “Best Tech” or “Fast Courier”. MCA requires an inventive, coined brand term (e.g. Infosys, Swiggy, Paytm) that possesses inherent distinctiveness.
Include a Clear Object/Activity Word
The second word must directly signify your business domain (e.g. Technologies, Solutions, Logistics, Advisory, Pharmaceuticals, Retail). Names lacking domain terms get flagged immediately.
Check Cross-Class Trademark Conflicts
CRC officers search the IP India database. If your proposed company name conflicts with a registered trademark in the relevant Nice class, your application will be rejected unless you possess an NOC or trademark assignment.
Capital Thresholds for Scale Words
Words suggesting vast scale—such as “International”, “Global”, “Universal”, or “Continental”—require a minimum authorized and paid-up capital of ₹1 Crore to ₹5 Crores.
Avoid Geographical & Prohibited Names
Stand-alone country or state names (e.g. “Germany Limited” or “India Technologies”) and names implying government patronage (National, Federal, Republic) are strictly prohibited under the Emblems Act.
Beware Phonetic Spelling Alterations
Simply altering spelling (e.g. “Kool” for “Cool”, “Phast” for “Fast”) does not bypass uniqueness tests. The CRC algorithm checks phonetic resemblance under Soundex matching.
Got Questions?
Frequently asked questions about company name reservation
Need clarity on RUN filings, resubmission notices, or trademark search? Our corporate secretarial team is here to assist.
What is the difference between an MCA Company Name and a Trademark?
An MCA Company Name (approved via SPICe+ Part A or RUN) registers your business as a legal entity and prevents anyone else in India from incorporating a company or LLP with that identical name. A Trademark (granted by the Trade Marks Registry under the Trade Marks Act, 1999) protects your brand name, logo, or slogan across 45 goods and service classes from commercial infringement, counterfeiting, and imitation. To have complete protection, startups register both.
How long is an approved company name valid after MCA approval?
When reserving a name for a new company via SPICe+ Part A or RUN, the approved name is reserved for twenty (20) days from the date of approval. If changing the name of an existing company, the reservation is valid for sixty (60) days. Incorporation forms (SPICe+ Part B) must be filed within this window.
Why do so many MCA name applications get rejected or sent for resubmission?
Over 40% of initial name applications face resubmission notices from the Central Registration Centre (CRC). The top reasons are: (1) name is too generic without a distinctive brand prefix, (2) missing activity word that reflects the company's main business objective, (3) phonetic or visual similarity to an existing company or registered trademark in the same class, and (4) starting with articles like 'A', 'An', or 'The'.
What is the RUN form vs. SPICe+ Part A for name reservation?
SPICe+ Part A allows you to reserve up to two names simultaneously as part of the unified incorporation filing. It is free when submitted together with the full incorporation package. The RUN (Reserve Unique Name) form is a standalone application that costs ₹1,000 government fee and allows you to test and reserve a name before preparing company constitutions (MOA/AOA).
Can I use words like 'International', 'Globe', or 'Industries' in my startup name?
Yes, but the MCA enforces capital thresholds under Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules. Words like 'International', 'Global', 'Universal', or 'Continental' typically require a minimum authorized share capital of ₹1 Crore to ₹5 Crores to prevent misleading the public regarding the scale of operations.
Ready to reserve your company name?
Our Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries verify your name availability on both MCA and IP India databases, prepare SPICe+ Part A, and handle all resubmissions.