Founder’s Guide to Building & Running a Business in India
35 chapters in 4 parts, from choosing a legal structure to funding and exits — with checklists, a glossary and official sources.
Part 1 · Choosing your structure
Pick the legal form that fits your plans, owners and funding. · 8 chapters
Choosing the Right Business Structure
Compare the main legal forms in India — company, LLP, OPC, partnership and proprietorship — against liability, ownership, funding, compliance and tax.
Private Limited Company
How a private limited company works, who it suits, and what it takes to incorporate and run one under the Companies Act, 2013.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
An LLP combines a partnership’s flexibility with a company’s limited liability. Here is how it is formed and run under the LLP Act, 2008.
One Person Company (OPC)
A company with a single owner and limited liability. Learn the nominee requirement, who can form one and when it makes sense.
Partnership Firm
A partnership is quick to set up and governed by a partnership deed, but partners are personally liable. Learn when registration matters.
Sole Proprietorship
The simplest way to start trading, with no separate registration of the business itself — and no protection for personal assets.
Section 8 Company
A not-for-profit company licensed under section 8 of the Companies Act for charitable or social objects.
Startup / DPIIT Recognition
What DPIIT recognition is, who qualifies, how to apply on the Startup India portal and what it unlocks.
Part 2 · Setting up
Name, signatures, incorporation, tax registrations, banking and payments. · 10 chapters
Choosing and Reserving a Company Name
How to pick a name that the Registrar will approve and that you can protect as a brand.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
The digital signature directors and partners use to sign filings with the MCA, GST and Income Tax systems.
Director Identification Number (DIN)
The unique number every company director needs, how it is allotted, and the annual KYC that keeps it active.
Incorporation: SPICe+ Step by Step
A walkthrough of the integrated SPICe+ filing and everything that must happen in the first months after incorporation.
PAN and TAN
The two income-tax numbers every business needs: PAN to be assessed, and TAN before deducting tax at source.
GST Registration
When GST registration is required, how to apply on the GST portal and what changes once you hold a GSTIN.
Udyam (MSME) Registration
Free, online MSME registration that unlocks priority lending, protection against delayed payments and government schemes.
Professional Tax
A State tax on professions, trades and employment. Registration, deduction from salaries and returns vary by State.
Opening a Business Bank Account
Documents banks ask for, how KYC works for entities, and how to set up approvals so money stays under control.
Payment Gateway and Collections
Accepting online payments through an RBI-authorised payment aggregator: onboarding, settlement, refunds and reconciliation.
Part 3 · Running the business
Accounts, tax, filings, brand protection, people and contracts. · 11 chapters
Setting Up Your Accounting
Choose an accounting system, a chart of accounts and a financial year routine before transactions pile up.
Bookkeeping Routine
A weekly and monthly routine that keeps books accurate, reconciled and ready for tax and investors.
TDS — Tax Deducted at Source
When your business must deduct tax from payments, deposit it, file quarterly statements and issue certificates.
Income Tax for Businesses
How each structure is taxed, advance tax, tax audit and the annual return.
MCA / ROC Annual Compliance
Board meetings, the AGM, financial statements, the annual return and other recurring filings with the Registrar.
GST Returns and Compliance
Monthly or quarterly returns, input tax credit, e-invoicing and the annual return.
Trademark Registration
Protect your brand name and logo under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 — search, filing, objections and renewal.
Protecting Intellectual Property
Copyright, patents, designs and trade secrets — and making sure the company, not individuals, owns what is built.
Hiring Your First Employees
Registrations, contracts and policies to put in place before and as you hire.
Running Payroll
Salary structures, statutory deductions, monthly deposits and year-end certificates.
Contracts Every Founder Needs
Founders’ agreements, customer and vendor contracts, NDAs and employment documents — and how to execute them properly.
Part 4 · Growing, changing and closing
Funding, ESOPs, foreign investment, the compliance year and exits. · 6 chapters
Raising Funding
Sources of capital, common instruments and the company-law and FEMA steps behind every investment.
Employee Stock Options (ESOP)
How to set up an ESOP pool, grant and vest options, and what employees should know about tax.
Foreign Investment (FDI)
Automatic and government routes, pricing rules and RBI reporting when foreign investors put money into your company.
NRI and Foreign Founders
How non-resident Indians and foreign nationals can start and run a business in India.
Annual Compliance Calendar
A month-by-month way to organise GST, TDS, payroll, income-tax and MCA obligations so nothing is missed.
Closing a Business
Strike-off, voluntary liquidation and closing an LLP, firm or proprietorship — and the tax registrations to cancel.
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