Name: An Identity of the Company

Name of the Company is its identity throughout its span of life should be thought well before and shall be constructed in such a manner that can stay sustainable with the future growth in Company. Companies Act regulates the naming process for the Company right from selecting it to any changes made thereafter.

Certain do’s and don’ts while selecting the along with the procedure to change the name is briefly elaborated in this article.

The Procedure of Change Name of Company

Following is the step by step procedure to be followed by the Company willing to change its name:

Conduct Board Meeting

The proposed name shall be discussed by the directors of the Company. Notice of 7 days is issued to the directors to conduct the board meeting to pass the necessary resolution for the approval of name change. Following resolutions are passed in a board meeting:

• To authorize the Company Secretary or Director to apply ROC for confirming the availability of name selected.
• To fix the date, time and venue to conduct EGM to approve the new name after it is approved and for the alteration of MOA The Company shall keep in mind that no two companies can be registered with the same name.

Check the Name Availability

Company shall check the name for its availability through MCA. It can be checked whether the same name is registered as a trademark or as a company from the drop-down menu of Public Search of Trademark and Check Company Name.

Apply Online for Name Approval

After the name is checked and the same is available, it can be applied through new web service RUN. Up to two names can be applied through this form with the prescribed fee of INR 1000. In case the Company is changing its name shall attach the board resolution for authorizing the same as an attachment to this form. After thorough scrutinizing the application, ROC either approves the name or puts it to resubmission. The name approved by ROC remains valid for 20 days from such approval.

Conduct Extra-Ordinary General Meeting

After the name is approved by ROC, and the name approval letter is received by the Company, shall call and convene the EGM to pass the necessary Special Resolution for approval of name change and making amendment to MOA & AOA.

Filing with ROC

Within 30 days of conducting EGM file the special resolution with ROC in form MGT-14 (the form is available on the official website of MCA and can be downloaded as a zip file) along with the following Documents annexed with the form:

• CTC of Special Resolution passed
• Notice of EGM along with an explanatory statement
• Altered MOA
• Altered AOA

Approval of Central Government

Company has to take the approval of the Central Government for the name change and alteration in MOA by filing form INC- 24. Copy of minutes of EGM in which the Special Resolution was passed shall be attached to this form.

New Certificate of Incorporation

After the process of name change is completed, ROC shall issue the new COI with the amended name mentioned on it. The new name becomes effective since the issuance of new COI.