Indian Company Search

Indian Companies Directory: complete guide

Introduction

The Indian Companies Directory is a searchable directory of publicly available information about companies and limited liability partnerships registered in India. Every company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 or earlier company laws, and every LLP registered under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, is recorded on the official register maintained by the Registrar of Companies under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Much of the basic information on that register is public, so that anyone dealing with a company can check who it is, where it is registered and whether it is active. Our directory organises this public information in an easy-to-browse format.

Visitors can search for a company or LLP by name or by its identification number, and view a profile showing details such as the corporate identity number or LLP identification number, the date of incorporation, the type of entity, the Registrar of Companies under which it is registered, its registered office address as filed, its status on the register, its authorised and paid-up capital as recorded, and the names of its current directors or designated partners as disclosed in public records. The directory can also be browsed by location, entity type or industry classification, where that information is available.

The directory is useful for many everyday purposes. A business can check a new supplier or customer before signing a contract. A job seeker can confirm that a prospective employer is a registered company. A founder can see whether a name similar to theirs is already in use before applying for name reservation. A professional can confirm the details of a client entity. Checking basic public information is a sensible first step in any business relationship.

Professional input still matters when the stakes are high. A directory profile shows what has been filed and recorded, but it does not tell you everything about a company's financial health, pending disputes, liabilities, compliance history in detail, or the accuracy of what it has disclosed. For investments, acquisitions, large contracts, lending or partnerships, a formal due diligence exercise that reviews filings, financial statements, charges, litigation and contracts is far more reliable. Our team can help with company name searches, compliance checks and due diligence where you need more than the public profile. Information in the directory is drawn from public records and may not reflect the most recent filings, so always verify important details on the official register at the time you rely on them.

What We Do

Search by name or number. Enter the full or partial name of a company or LLP, or its corporate identity number or LLP identification number, to find its profile.

View company and LLP profiles. Each profile brings together publicly available details, which may include:

• Name of the company or LLP and any former names, where recorded
• Corporate identity number or LLP identification number
• Date of incorporation or registration
• Type of entity, such as private limited, public limited, one person company, Section 8 company, Nidhi company, producer company or LLP
• Category and sub-category, such as whether the company is limited by shares or by the members' undertaking to contribute on winding up, and whether it is a non-government or government company
• Registrar of Companies office under which it is registered
• Registered office address as filed
• Status on the register, such as active, struck off, under liquidation, dormant or amalgamated
• Authorised and paid-up capital, or total obligation of contribution for LLPs, as recorded
• Names of current directors or designated partners, as disclosed in public records
• Dates of the last annual general meeting and the last balance sheet filed, where available
• Principal business activity classification, where available

Filter the results. Visitors can narrow search results by state, by company status and by entity type, and can also page through the full directory section by section.

Understand what the information means. Profiles include short explanations of key terms, such as what an active or struck off status means, what the difference is between authorised and paid-up capital, and what the corporate identity number tells you about a company.

Connect to related services. If you need to go further than the public profile, such as checking whether a name is available for your own company, reviewing a company's compliance, or carrying out due diligence before a transaction, our team can help through the relevant service.

What the directory does not show. A profile is a summary of recorded facts. It does not show a company's bank balances, its tax position, pending court cases, the contents of its contracts, or the personal details of its directors beyond what is publicly disclosed. It also does not tell you whether the company is meeting its obligations to its customers or employees. Reading the profile alongside other checks, such as GST registration status, references and, for larger dealings, formal due diligence, gives a much fuller picture.

Using the directory to spot warning signs. A few points on a profile are worth noticing. A company whose last balance sheet or annual return was filed several years ago may have compliance problems. A struck off or under-liquidation status means the company may not be able to enter into new business. A registered office in a different state from the one the company claims to operate in is worth a question. A very recent date of incorporation is not a problem in itself, but it may mean you should ask for more information before extending large credit. None of these points is conclusive on its own, but each is a reason to look more closely.

How We Work

Source of information. The directory is built from information that companies and LLPs file with the Registrar of Companies and that is made publicly available. We do not add private or confidential information about any company or individual.

Updating profiles. We refresh the directory from public sources periodically. Because companies file changes throughout the year, and because public records may take time to reflect new filings, a profile may not show the latest position at any given moment. Each profile indicates when the information was last updated where possible.

Verifying important details. For any decision that matters, such as signing a contract, making a payment, extending credit or filing a legal claim, verify the company's details on the official register maintained on the MCA portal and, where needed, through certified copies of documents.

Reading the corporate identity number. A corporate identity number is a 21-character code. It shows whether the company is listed or unlisted, the industry code, the state of registration, the year of incorporation, the type of company and a registration number. Understanding it can help you quickly confirm basic details, such as the year and state of incorporation.

Understanding status. An active status means the company is shown as operating on the register. A struck off status means the company's name has been removed from the register, usually because it has not carried on business or filed returns, or on its own application. A company under liquidation is being wound up. A dormant status applies to companies that have obtained that status under the Companies Act for an inactive period. Status descriptions on the register can change, and the exact meaning should be checked in context.

Corrections and requests. If you believe information on a profile is incorrect, you can let us know through the contact form. We will review it against public records. Note that if the official register itself is incorrect, the company concerned will need to file the appropriate correction with the Registrar.

Responsible use. The directory is intended for legitimate purposes such as business verification, research and due diligence. It should not be used to harass individuals, send unsolicited bulk communications or misuse personal information in breach of applicable law.

Who We Help

• Businesses checking suppliers, customers and partners. Confirm that the entity you are dealing with is registered, active and located where it says it is.
• Founders choosing a company name. See whether names similar to your proposed name already exist before applying for name reservation, and then use our Company Name Search service for a full check.
• Job seekers. Confirm that a prospective employer is a registered company and check its basic details.
• Professionals and advisers. Chartered accountants, company secretaries, advocates and consultants can confirm client entity details quickly.
• Lenders and investors. Use the directory as a first step before a deeper review of filings, charges and financial statements.
• Researchers and students. Explore company registrations by state, status or entity type.
• Individuals dealing with a company. Consumers, landlords and others can confirm the identity of a company before entering into an agreement.

Our Commitments

Public information only. The directory contains information drawn from public records. We do not publish private or confidential data.

Clear sourcing. We explain where the information comes from and that it should be verified on the official register for important decisions.

Regular refreshing. We update the directory from public sources periodically and indicate when information was last refreshed where possible.

Fair corrections process. We review reported errors against public records and update profiles where needed.

Plain explanations. We explain what the information means, so visitors can understand a company's profile without specialist knowledge.

Neutral presentation. Profiles present recorded information factually. We do not rate, rank or endorse companies in the directory.

Responsible use. We encourage visitors to use the directory for legitimate purposes and in line with applicable law.

Support when you need more. Where public information is not enough, our team can help with name searches, compliance checks and due diligence.

FAQs

What is the Indian Companies Directory?

It is a searchable directory of publicly available information about companies and LLPs registered in India, organised so visitors can browse and search profiles easily.

Where does the information come from?

The information is drawn from public records based on filings made by companies and LLPs with the Registrar of Companies.

Is the information always up to date?

Not always. We refresh the directory periodically, but companies file changes throughout the year and public records may take time to update. Verify important details on the official register.

Is it free to search the directory?

Yes. Visitors can browse and search the directory to view company and LLP profiles.

Can I find financial statements of a company here?

The directory shows basic details such as capital and filing dates where available. Full financial statements and other filed documents can be viewed or obtained through the official register, usually on payment of the prescribed fee at actual.

What does a struck off status mean?

It means the company's name has been removed from the register, usually because it has not been carrying on business or filing returns, or because it applied for removal. A struck off company generally cannot carry on business, though restoration may be possible in some cases through the prescribed process.

What is a corporate identity number?

It is a 21-character code allotted by the Registrar of Companies that identifies a company. It contains details such as listing status, industry code, state, year of incorporation, company type and a registration number.

Can I use the directory to check if my proposed company name is available?

The directory can help you spot existing names that are similar to yours. However, name approval depends on the naming rules and trademark checks as well. Our Company Name Search service gives a fuller assessment.

Does the directory show personal details of directors?

The directory shows directors' or designated partners' names as disclosed in public records. It does not publish private personal information.

How can I report incorrect information?

Use the contact form to tell us which profile and what information you believe is incorrect. We will review it against public records. If the error is on the official register, the company will need to correct it through a filing.

Can a company ask for its profile to be removed?

Company information on the register is public by law. If you have concerns about a profile, contact us through the contact form and we will review the request.

Is the directory enough for due diligence?

No. The directory is a useful first step, but due diligence for investments, acquisitions, lending or large contracts should include a review of filings, financial statements, charges, litigation and contracts. Our team can help with this.

Does the directory include LLPs?

Yes. LLPs registered under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 are included, with details such as LLP identification number, date of registration, status and designated partners where available.

Can I filter companies by state or type?

Yes. You can filter search results by state, company status and entity type. Browsing by city or by industry is not available at present.

Does an active status mean a company is fully compliant?

No. An active status means the company is shown as operating on the register. It does not confirm that all its filings, taxes and other obligations are up to date. A compliance check or due diligence is needed for that.

Can I check whether a company has charges registered against it?

Charges created by a company over its assets, such as security given to a lender, are registered with the Registrar of Companies. Details of registered charges can be checked on the official register. For lending or acquisition decisions, our team can review charges as part of a due diligence exercise.

What is the difference between authorised and paid-up capital?

Authorised capital is the maximum share capital a company is allowed to issue under its memorandum. Paid-up capital is the amount actually paid by shareholders for the shares issued. Neither figure, on its own, tells you how much money the company currently has.

Can I find a company that has changed its name?

Yes, where the former name is recorded. Searching by the corporate identity number is the most reliable way to find a company, since the number stays the same when the name changes.