Checking the Availability of a company name in India can be done in a few different ways. You can Search for company master data and names on the MCA website using CIN or PAN. Utilising a third-party company name-checking service is another option to determine whether a company name is available. Compared to the MCA website, these services often have a larger database of company names, and they might also provide other capabilities like trademark searches and domain name availability checks.

This article will examine many methods, including internet tools, official portals, and expert advice, to determine if a company name is already taken in India.

How Do I Check Company Name Availability in India?

An original and accessible name is crucial when launching a new business in India. The company name you select should be relatable to the goods or services your business offers, simple to remember, and easy to pronounce. Once you choose a company name you like, you can see if the MCA has registered it. There are various ways of checking company name availability in India, which are listed below:

1. Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Portal

All Indian-registered companies are included in a database on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Company Search page. To determine if your desired name is available, search this database by company name, CIN, or PAN. The MCA provides a user-friendly portal where people can verify whether company names are available. This is how you do it:

• Step 1: Go to www.mca.gov.in, the MCA website.
• Step 2: Select ‘Check Company Name’ from the drop-down menu under the ‘MCA Services’ option.
• Step 3: Type the desired name into the search box and press the “Search” button.

If the name is accessible, it will be indicated in the search results on the portal.

2. Use a Third-Party Company Name Checker Service or Company Name Availability Checker

You may verify the availability of company names in India using various third-party company name-checking services like Clear Tax, Vakil Search, IndiaFilings, etc. Compared to the MCA website, these services often have a larger database of company names, and they might also provide other capabilities like trademark searches and domain name availability checks.

These procedures should be followed to use a third-party firm name checker service:

• Step 1: Type “company name search” in the search engine (Google).
• Step 2: Enter the business name you want to look up.
• Step 3: The “Check Availability” button should be clicked.

Following a database search, the company name checker tool will let you know if the name is available.

3. Speak with the ROC, or Registrar of Companies

You can contact the Registrar of Companies (ROC) in your state if you’re still unsure if a company name is accessible. Check registered company name availability with the MCA, and the ROC will be able to let you know.

You can call the ROC office or go to the ROC office in person to contact them.

4. Trademark Search

Another essential step to make sure your company name is separate from an already registered trademark is to conduct a trademark search. You can search for registered trademarks online through the Trademarks Registry of India’s database. Take these actions:

• Step 1: Go to www.ipindia.nic.in, the website for the Trademarks Registry.
• Step 2: Select “Trade Marks” under “Public Search” from the drop-down menu.
• Step 3: Type the name of the company you want to search into the search box and hit “Search.”

The MCA-registered company database will show the search results if any identical or similar trademarks are found.

5. Professional Assistance

Professionals like chartered accountants, company secretaries, or law firms are available if you prefer experienced advice. These specialists can perform extensive research to confirm the availability of your selected company name because they have experience with company registrations.

6. State-Specific Company Registration Websites

Some Indian states also provide websites for registering companies in addition to the MCA portal. Individuals can use these portals to see if a company name is available in their state. To access this service, it is advised to go to the official website of the relevant state’s Registrar of Companies.

Guidelines for Choosing Your Company Name

The applicant must adhere to a set of requirements while naming a company, according to the Registrar of Companies (ROC) in all of India. The official processing of the application must also be approved. The likelihood of having the name of the company approved increases the more strictly the specified guidelines are adhered to.

• Uniqueness: One distinctive feature is the corporate name. Once registered, a name cannot be given to another firm. This name must be evocative. For instance, the word “finance” must be present in the company name if it is a finance company. This term captures the essence of the business. Thus, “finance” cannot be in the name of a company engaged in the logistics or restaurant industries.
• Avoid using acronyms. Adjectives, abbreviations, and generic words will be disregarded. The RBI should approve before using the words banks, exchange, and stock exchange.
• Trademark: Unless the registered trademark owner’s or applicant’s consent is supplied along with the name approval application, the proposed company name cannot infringe on a registered trademark or an application for trademark registration.
• Patronage: The proposed firm name cannot indicate support for, affiliation with, or involvement with a national hero, another person held in high regard, or other notable individuals who have held or are currently holding high-level positions in government. The proposed name cannot imply a connection to the Indian or foreign governments.
• Regulatory acceptance: It may be necessary to obtain regulatory clearance from the RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, etc., for a company name that contains the phrases insurance, bank, stock exchange, venture capital, asset management, mutual fund, etc.

Registering a company name in India is an essential first step in launching a business. You can make sure your preferred company name is distinctive and available for registration by visiting the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal, conducting a trademark search, using online company name availability checkers, or asking an expert for help. Verifying name availability can help you avoid potential legal conflicts and successfully create brand identification.

FAQs on MCA Company Search

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