SPICe+ Part A Form – Company Name Reservation Format Download (MCA V3 Ready)

Many founders hit the same frustrating wall: their company name keeps getting rejected by the Central Registration Centre, the MCA portal shows cryptic error messages, or they are stuck deciding whether to file RUN or SPICe+ Part A. Repeated objections from CRC about similarity with existing companies or trademarks often feel like a maze, especially when you're trying to move fast with incorporation. SPICe+ Part A is the dedicated name reservation section of the integrated SPICe+ (INC-32) form. It is mandated under Section 4 of the Companies Act, 2013 and filed through the MCA V3 portal as part of the unified process under Rule 38 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. It is the legal starting point before or along with company incorporation. This guide gives you everything in one place: the statutory basis, when you must file SPICe+ Part A, the exact data points you need to prepare, a downloadable Word/PDF format based on the official layout (including fields seen on Page 1 such as Type of company, Class, and Proposed Name SPICe-Part-A), and a clean step-by-step filing walkthrough for MCA V3.

Legal Validity of SPICe+ Part A (Name Reservation Under Companies Act, 2013)

SPICe+ (INC-32) is the integrated incorporation form notified under Rule 38 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, which replaced the earlier SPICe format and consolidated name reservation, incorporation, and post-incorporation services into a single workflow. 1 The PDF you uploaded reflects this integration visually, Page 1 explicitly labels the document as “SPICe+ Part A – Name Reservation” and cites Section 4 read with Rules 8 and 9 SPICe-Part-A.

Part A of SPICe+ exists solely for company name reservation, and its legal authority comes directly from Section 4(2)–(5) of the Companies Act, 2013. CAIRR+1 These subsections lay down the foundational rules for choosing a valid name, the requirement to avoid identical or nearly identical names, the procedure for applying to reserve a name, and the period for which a reserved name remains valid.

The name reservation step also ties into Section 7, which governs the incorporation of companies. CAIRR+1 Under this framework, approval of the proposed company name through SPICe+ Part A is a mandatory precursor before completing Part B, where you fill in capital structure, registered office details, subscriber declarations, and upload e-MoA (INC-33) and e-AoA (INC-34). You can see this continuity in your PDF, where Part B begins immediately after the name section on Page 2.

Another crucial pillar is Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. Setindiabiz+1 This rule sets the prohibition criteria: names that are too similar to existing companies, resemble government bodies, imply regulated activities without approval, or conflict with registered trademarks. These restrictions are the reason CRC frequently raises objections when founders propose names without checking trademark databases or MCA’s phonetic similarity lists.

All of this operates under the umbrella of Rule 38, which mandates SPICe+ as the integrated filing mechanism for incorporation and allied services such as PAN, TAN, GSTIN, EPFO, ESIC, and Profession Tax (where applicable). IBC Law+1 Because SPICe+ Part A sits inside this integrated system, filing it is no longer optional for new companies.

Finally, every SPICe+ Part A application is processed not by individual ROCs but by the Central Registration Centre (CRC) through the MCA V3 portal, which standardises scrutiny and accelerates approval timelines. TaxGuru+1 This centralisation is one reason why formatting, descriptive accuracy, and compliance with Rule 8 matter so much CRC applies these standards uniformly nationwide.

When Is SPICe+ Part A Required? (Practical Scenarios)

SPICe+ Part A isn’t just a legal formality; it’s a strategic step depending on where you are in the incorporation journey. Here are the clearest real-world scenarios in which filing SPICe+ Part A is required or beneficial.

1. Scenarios Where You File Only SPICe+ Part A (Name Reservation Alone)

• Incorporating a new Private Limited, Public Limited, OPC, or Section 8 company but you want to lock the company name first.
  Many founders prefer securing the name before preparing documents like e-MoA and e-AoA. Filing Part A alone gives you that security.

• You’re still finalizing shareholders, capital structure, or documents, but don’t want the name taken by someone else.

• You want to avoid any delay in branding/website/social handles and need the name approved early.

2. Scenarios Where You File Part A + Part B Together (Single Workflow)

• You are confident about your chosen company name, after checking MCA and trademark availability.

• You want the fastest incorporation route MCA V3 allows Part A (name) and Part B (incorporation & AGILE-PRO-S) to be submitted in one go.

• This is helpful when professional advisors have pre-verified the name under Rule 8 guidelines.

3. Scenarios Where You Must Use SPICe+ Part A Instead of RUN

• For fresh incorporation, RUN is no longer permitted; SPICe+ Part A is the default path.

• RUN is now restricted mainly for existing companies changing their name.

• If you are forming a new company (any class), SPICe+ is the mandatory route under Rule 38.

Name Reservation Validity Period

• 20 days for a new company incorporation (extendable if MCA issues special notifications).

• 60 days for an existing company changing its name, since they must amend MoA/AoA and pass resolutions.

RUN vs SPICe+ Part A: Quick Comparison

Key Components of SPICe+ Part A (What Data You Need Ready)

SPICe+ Part A may look simple, but CRC checks every field against Section 4, Rule 8, and MCA’s naming guidelines. The PDF you uploaded makes this clear: Page 1 lists the company type, class, category, and sub-category fields, while Page 2 displays the industry sub-class and proposed name boxes that CRC uses to judge suitability. SPICe-Part-A
Before starting your MCA V3 filing, keep these core data points ready:

1. Type of Company (Mandatory)

This appears right at the top of Page 1. You must choose whether the proposed company is:

• Private Limited

• Public Limited

• OPC (One Person Company)

• Section 8 (Non-profit)

CRC uses this to assess whether the suffix (“Private Limited”, “Limited”, “OPC Private Limited”) is correctly placed.

2. Class, Category, and Sub-Category of Company

These three fields sit together on Page 1. They define your corporate structure:

• Class → Private / Public

• Category → Company limited by shares / guarantee / unlimited

• Sub-category → Indian company / subsidiary of foreign company etc.

The combination must legally match the suffix and proposed activity.

3. Industrial Activity Code (NIC Code)

On Page 2, SPICe+ requires you to “Search and select industry sub-class” a large blue selection box.
You must specify:

• Main Industrial Activity (NIC 2008)

• Description of the activity

CRC matches this with your proposed name to detect misleading names under Rule 8.

4. Proposed Name(s) (1 or 2 Options)

Under “Particulars of the proposed or approved name” on Page 2, you'll see two name-entry fields.
You can enter:

• One preferred name for faster scrutiny, or

• Two names to reduce objection chances.

CRC checks phonetic, trademark, and Rule 8 conflicts.

5. Object/Business Activity (Short Description)

Though not explicitly labeled as “Objects” in Part A, the industrial sub-class and name justification are used by CRC to verify whether the name aligns with your business.
Example: a name ending with “Tech” should match NIC codes for IT services.

6. Attachments (If Any)

Page 2 includes a “Choose File” button.
You may attach:

• NOC from trademark owner (if similar marks exist)

• NOC from an existing entity (for group/holding names)

• Sectoral approval letters (if required)

Attachments help avoid Rule 8 objections.

7. Applicant Details (Auto-Populated in V3 Portal)

Even though they aren’t visible on Pages 1–2, the MCA V3 interface will pull user details (email ID / phone) for CRC communication.

Step-by-Step Instructions to File SPICe+ Part A on MCA V3

1. Log in to the MCA V3 portal using your existing user account or create a new one if you’re a first-time founder.

2. Go to “Incorporation Services” → SPICe+ and select “SPICe+ Part A (Name Reservation)” to begin a new application.

3. Choose “New Application” and select the type, class, and category of the proposed company fields you can visually see at the top of Page 1 of your uploaded form. SPICe-Part-A

4. Enter the Proposed Company Name exactly as intended, including the correct legal suffix (Private Limited, Limited, OPC Private Limited, etc.).

5. Fill in the Main Objects and Industrial Activity Code, matching the NIC sub-class selection box shown on Page 2 of the form. Your chosen name must logically align with these details to comply with Section 4 and Rule 8. SPICe-Part-A

6. Upload Attachments (if required)—such as trademark NOC, group company NOC, or sectoral approvals. Merge all files into one PDF not exceeding 6 MB.

7. Run Pre-Scrutiny by clicking the validation button to catch formatting or rule-based errors before submission.

8. Pay the Government Fee, currently ₹1,000 for name reservation (subject to periodic updates; users should confirm via the MCA fee schedule).

9. Track your SRN under “MCA Services → Track Service Request Number (SRN)” to check CRC scrutiny status and remarks.

10. Once approved, all the details from Part A automatically flow into SPICe+ Part B, AGILE-PRO-S, e-MoA, and e-AoA, allowing you to complete incorporation without re-entering name data.

Pro Tip

Always check MCA name availability, phonetic similarity, and IP India trademark records before filing. This significantly reduces CRC objections under Rule 8 and improves your approval odds.

Common Rejection Reasons in SPICe+ Part A (and How to Avoid Them)

CRC objections tend to follow predictable patterns. Here’s a short, practical list of the most frequent rejection grounds—paired with how to fix them before filing.

• Name too similar to an existing company or LLP

Check MCA phonetic search + avoid minor spelling variations.

• Conflict with a registered trademark

Search the IP India trademark database; attach NOC if you’re using a coined or protected word.

• Name does not match the Main Objects or NIC Activity

Ensure the proposed name logically aligns with the industrial sub-class shown on Page 2 of your form. SPICe-Part-A

• Use of restricted words requiring approval (e.g., “Bank”, “Stock Exchange”, “Insurance”)

Obtain sectoral approval or avoid these words unless legally eligible.

• Use of generic names without distinctive elements

“ABC Solutions Private Limited” or “Global Enterprises Limited” is usually rejected—add a unique coined word.

• Missing or incorrect suffix (Private Limited, Limited, OPC Private Limited)

Match suffix with company type exactly as displayed on Page 1. SPICe-Part-A

• NOC not attached where required

Group company names, trademark owners, or personal names need documented consent (merged PDF ≤ 6 MB).

• Including references to government patronage (“India”, “National”, “Govt.”, “Commission”)

Avoid unless justified under Rule 8 and allowed by CRC.

• Objects too vague or misleading

Write a clear one-line business description consistent with Section 4 requirements.

• Spelling inconsistencies between name, attachments, and portal entries

Enter the proposed name exactly the same way in all places.

Pro Tip

Spend 3 minutes checking MCA name availability, company/LLP phonetic matches, and trademark similarities on the IP India portal. This alone eliminates more than half of CRC rejections.

FAQs on SPICe+ Part A (Name Reservation)

Q1. Is filing SPICe+ Part A mandatory for all new company incorporations in India?

Yes. For every new company, Private Limited, Public Limited, OPC, and Section 8, SPICe+ Part A is the mandatory name reservation step under Rule 38. It replaced the old RUN system for fresh incorporations and is the only valid route for reserving a new company name on MCA V3.

Q2. How many names can I propose in SPICe+ Part A under current MCA rules?

You can propose up to two names in a single SPICe+ Part A application. CRC examines both based on Section 4 and Rule 8 guidelines. Submitting one well-researched name often speeds up approval.

Q3. What is the validity period of a name approved through SPICe+ Part A, and can it be extended?

An approved name is valid for 20 days for new company incorporation (extendable only through special MCA notifications). For existing companies changing their name through RUN, the validity is 60 days. Extensions are not normally granted unless specifically enabled by MCA circulars.

Q4. Can I change my company’s main objects after name approval in SPICe+ Part A?

Yes, but within limits. CRC approves the name based on the objects and industrial activity you declare in Part A. If the final objects in SPICe+ Part B differ substantially, CRC may raise objections during incorporation. Minor refinements are allowed, but drastic changes should be avoided to remain compliant with Section 4.

Q5. What is the government fee for SPICe+ Part A name reservation, and is it refundable if my name is rejected?

The government fee is ₹1,000 per application. It is non-refundable, even if CRC rejects both proposed names. If rejected, you must file a fresh SPICe+ Part A with another ₹1,000 fee.