The corporate name is one of the most significant steps that one can take to start forming a corporation in India. You are known by your corporate name, which determines the attitudes of the people towards your business and the reputation of your profession. Before incorporating your new company, you should understand how to check whether a name is available under the MCA regulations.
To check if your chosen name is available for incorporation, you must utilise the MCA Portal. The MCA Portal is an online tool that allows business owners to perform this check before they incorporate their business. Conducting your check early will save you unnecessary stress associated with duplicating a name or being required to take legal action against another company that uses the same corporate name as you, as well as the additional time required to complete the registration process again if a name has already been used.
You need to confirm whether or not a corporate name is available before you begin your business venture in India, as the 2013 Companies Act requires that every company have its own distinct and unique corporate name. A company cannot use a corporate name that is similar to or close to another business’s corporate name. The MCA appraises the names depending on similarity; that is, even a slight resemblance may result in rejection.
Knowing how to check company name availability in MCA is beneficial to you:
Any rejection at incorporation will be avoided.
- Check MCA compliance with names.
- Avoid legal and trademark disputes.
- Establish a good and trusted brand name.
A verified company name not only reduces registration time but also protects your business from future disputes.
Checking Company Name Availability in MCA Portal (Step-by-Step)
The MCA portal offers a free, easy-to-use name search tool. These steps should be followed to evaluate a check.
Step 1: Visit the MCA Portal
Choose the browser and access the website of www.mca.gov.in. Ideally, a desktop or laptop is to be used.
Step 2: Click on Name Availability Tool
On the homepage, navigate to:
MCA Services → FO Services → Check Company/LLP Name
This option allows you to search for both company and LLP names.
Step 3: Enter Your Proposed Name
Type your proposed name exactly as you want it to appear.
Do not include suffixes such as “Private Limited”, “Limited”, or “LLP” at this stage.
Step 4: Review the Search Results
The portal will display a list of existing names that match or closely resemble your entry. Look out for:
- Exact matches (clear rejection risk)
- Closely similar names
- Same root or keyword-based similarities
This does not imply that similarity in the name does not lead to rejection, even if the names themselves are not the same.
Step 5: Revise and Review As Necessary
If conflicts appear, revise the name by:
- Adding a unique prefix or suffix
- Using a coined or distinctive word
- Avoiding common industry terms
Repeat the search until no close matches appear.
Step 6: Proceed Only After a Clear Result
Once the search results show no conflicting names, you can move forward with name reservation using RUN or SPICe+.
Example: Interpreting MCA Search Results.
Searching Nimbus Tech gives the possibility to have the portal display:
- Nimbus Technologies Private Limited – intense conflict.
- Nimbus Consulting LLP – there is a possibility of rejection.
- Nimbusversion Solutions Private Limited- probably okay.
Here, it would be better to change the name to NimbusEdge Solutions to increase the chances of approval.
Reservation of Company Name on the MCA Portal
Once the availability has been ascertained, your company name should be formally registered with the MCA.
Option 1: RUN (Reserve Unique Name)
RUN is an independent name reservation service.
Steps:
- Log in to the MCA portal
- Select RUN service
- Enter the proposed name
- Write a short description of business activity.
- Pay the amount of the government fee.
Await approval/resubmission request.
This is the best alternative if you want to claim the name before incorporation.
Option 2: SPICe+ (INC-32)
Integrated incorporation is called SPICe+, and it includes name approval and company registration.
Benefits of SPICe+:
Among them is the name reservation followed by incorporation in a single process.
- Brings in PAN, TAN, GST, ESIC, and bank account.
- Completely paperless
This is the most preferred choice by the majority of start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Approved Company Name-Validity
- New company: Name validity of 20 days.
- Existing company (name change): Expired in 60 days.
Failure to do the incorporation within this period leads to the name lapsing, and it becomes necessary to do it once again.
Trademark Check: One More Cannot Afford to Skip.
The verification of trademark ownership is not done under the MCA portal; however, the availability of a company name is only verified. This highlights the need to have a trademark search.
The importance of Trademark Verification
Even a name that has been found acceptable by MCA may infringe on a registered trademark. The owners of the trademarks are entitled to a monopoly under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Use of a trademark name may lead to:
- Legal notices
- Court cases
- Forced rebranding
- Financial penalties
Carry out a trademark search on ipindia.gov.in to verify the legality of your name.
Read Also:- How to Purchase a Domain Name: Quick & Easy Guide
Tips on how to pick a unique and MCA-compliant name
- Get the name quickly and hassle-free.
- No use of limited terms such as Government, national, or authority.
- Make sure that it applies to your business activity.
- Utilise different or coined words.
- Research databases (MCA) and trademark databases.
A compliant name enhances a brand value and a legal one.
Many reasons are common for naming rejection in MCA
- Similarity with an existing company or LLP.
- Employment of illegal or deceptive words.
- The name is not business-oriented.
- Criticality in choosing the use of generic words or abbreviations.
- Breach of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.
These were the reasons as perceived; they can make it more probable to be approved.
Conclusion
Understanding how to make sure that the name of a company is not taken by someone with an MCA is one of the essential habits you should learn before setting your business steps. Through adequate use of the MCA portal, trademark verification, and naming, you will be in a position to acquire a distinct, compliant, law-protected name for the company.
There are benefits of early checking, such as saving time, fewer rejections, and a smooth incorporation process from a strong, reputable business identity.