PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Private Limited Company is the most prevalent and popular type of corporate legal entity in India. Private limited company registration is governed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies Incorporation Rules, 2014. To register a private limited company, a minimum of two shareholders and two directors are required. A natural person can be both a director and shareholder, while a corporate legal entity can only be a shareholder. Further, foreign nationals, foreign corporate entities or NRIs are allowed to be Directors and/or Shareholders of a Company with Foreign Direct Investment, making it the preferred choice of entity for foreign promoters.
Unique features of a private limited company like limited liability provides protection to shareholders, gives ability to raise equity funds, give separate legal entity status and perpetual existence which make it the most recommended type of business entity for millions of small and medium sized businesses that are family owned or professionally managed.
SEPERATE LEGAL ENTITY
Private Limited Company is a legal entity and a juristic person established under the Companies Act. Hence, a company has a range of legal capacities including opening of a bank account, hiring of employees, taking on equity or obtaining licenses and more as an independent corporate entity. The members (Shareholders/Directors) of a company have no personal liability to the creditors of a company for company’s debts.
PERPETUAL SUCCESSION
Private Limited Company has ‘Perpetual Succession’, meaning uninterrupted existence until it is legally dissolved. A company being a separate legal person, is unaffected by the death or other departure of any member and continues to be in existence irrespective of the changes in ownership.
Easily Transferable
Ownership of a business can be easily transferred in a company by transferring shares. The signing, filing and transfer of share transfer form and share certificates is sufficient to transfer ownership of a company. In a private limited company, the consent of other shareholders maybe required to effect share transfers.
Borrowing Capacity
Private Limited Companies can raise equity funds in India. Companies can also issue equity shares, preference shares, debentures and accept deposits with RBI permission. Banks and Financial Institutions prefer to provide funding to a company rather than partnership firms or proprietary concerns.