March 14, 2026

Submitted By: Shweta Verma

Advisory for Stakeholders for Name Reservation and Incorporation of Company and LLP

This advisory provides a comprehensive framework for stakeholders seeking to reserve names and incorporate companies or LLPs in 2026, emphasizing that proposed names must be strictly unique and avoid phonetic or visual resemblance to existing entities, even when a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is provided. The guidelines mandate strict adherence to statutory timelines for reusing names of dissolved or struck-off entities, prohibit the use of restricted abbreviations or words implying government patronage, and require specific regulatory approvals for sectors like banking, insurance, and professional services. Beyond name reservation, the document outlines critical procedural requirements for registration, including the submission of valid, non-expired utility bills for registered offices, the alignment of National Industrial Classification (NIC) codes with business objects, and specific compliance for Section 8 companies and One Person Companies (OPCs). Furthermore, it clarifies the necessity of trademark cross-checks and provides a detailed matrix for the notarization and apostilling of documents based on the residency and signing location of subscribers, all while warning that any evidence of document tampering or "copy-pasted" signatures will trigger severe penal provisions under the Companies Act, 2013 or the LLP Act, 20