MCA Form Guide
INC-20A — Commencement of Business Declaration
Quick answer: Post-incorporation declaration that the company has received subscription money from all subscribers and is ready to commence business. Companies cannot commence business or borrow money without filing this. Within 180 days of incorporation. Company: ₹100/day for each day of default. Officer in default: ₹1,000/day. ROC may also initiate strike-off proceedings under Section 248(1)(c).
Quick answer
Capital filings tend to follow share issuances, changes in structure, or the company’s first post-incorporation steps. They matter because cap table accuracy affects everything else downstream. Every company incorporated on or after November 2, 2018 with a share capital. No INC-20A required for Section 8 companies and companies incorporated before that date. For most founders, the fastest way to stay compliant is to map the filing trigger, gather the documents once, and then submit with the correct digital sign-off.
Who must file
Every company incorporated on or after November 2, 2018 with a share capital. No INC-20A required for Section 8 companies and companies incorporated before that date.
When to file
Within 180 days of incorporation.
Penalty note
Company: ₹100/day for each day of default. Officer in default: ₹1,000/day. ROC may also initiate strike-off proceedings under Section 248(1)(c).
Filing portal
MCA portal at the official government filing system.
Evidence checklist
Shareholder approvals, allotment evidence, and capital structure records are usually needed before you file.
How to file
- 1
Confirm whether INC-20A is the correct filing for the event you are handling and that it matches the capital filing trigger.
- 2
Collect the supporting records that match INC-20A: Shareholder approvals, allotment evidence, and capital structure records are usually needed before you file.
- 3
Prepare the form in the MCA portal, validate the entries against the company records, and make any final corrections before signing.
- 4
Upload the signed form, pay the applicable fee, and save the SRN and acknowledgement for audit tracking.
- 5
Store the filing evidence with your statutory records so the next cycle is faster and easier to review.
What this form is used for
Post-incorporation declaration that the company has received subscription money from all subscribers and is ready to commence business. Companies cannot commence business or borrow money without filing this. Capital filings tend to follow share issuances, changes in structure, or the company’s first post-incorporation steps. They matter because cap table accuracy affects everything else downstream. The purpose is usually either annual disclosure, a one-off event filing, or a statutory update tied to corporate records or regulatory reporting.
FAQ and compliance context
Who usually files INC-20A?
Every company incorporated on or after November 2, 2018 with a share capital. No INC-20A required for Section 8 companies and companies incorporated before that date.
What is the deadline for INC-20A?
Within 180 days of incorporation.
What happens if INC-20A is filed late?
Company: ₹100/day for each day of default. Officer in default: ₹1,000/day. ROC may also initiate strike-off proceedings under Section 248(1)(c).
Can the filing be tracked after submission?
Yes. Keep the SRN, acknowledgement, and final uploaded PDF in your records for audit and ROC follow-up.
Is INC-20A a one-time or recurring filing?
This is a one-time filing tied to a specific corporate event. Once the event has occurred and the form is filed, it does not need to be refiled each year.
Which law or rule requires INC-20A?
Section 10A, Companies Act 2013 (inserted by Companies Amendment Act 2019)
Why this one matters
Open this guide whenever the shareholding stack changes, because fixing capital records later is slower and more expensive.
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