A comprehensive “Handbook on Key Compliances and Exemptions for Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013,” has been released by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The motive of the publication is to furnish practical guidance to professionals, company directors, compliance officers, and entrepreneurs dealing with regulatory requirements applicable to private companies in India.
The handbook prepared by the Corporate Laws & Corporate Governance Committee of ICAI consolidates major compliance obligations, exemptions, and procedural requirements under the Companies Act, 2013, to support stakeholders in navigating corporate governance and regulatory filings.
Private Companies Dominate India’s Corporate Landscape
As per the data from the handbook from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), India had over 30.30 lakh registered companies as of December 31, 2025, out of which more than 20.14 lakh companies were active.
From the report, an insight is that private limited companies have nearly 96% of all active companies in India, showing their dominant role in the nation’s corporate ecosystem.
Private companies are preferred because of the benefits like-
- Separate legal identity
- Limited liability for shareholders
- Perpetual succession
- Structured governance framework
- Availability of statutory exemptions
Such features make private companies a preferred option for startups, MSMEs, and promoter-driven businesses.
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Significance of the ICAI Handbook
Multiple amendments, exemptions, and regulatory updates have been rolled out over the years under the Companies Act. Various businesses and professionals can encounter issues in discovering consolidated compliance guidance.
The publication is designed to assist:
- Chartered Accountants
- Company Secretaries
- Corporate legal professionals
- Startup founders
- Directors of private companies
The Handbook Covers Major Areas
The handbook shows compliance requirements applicable to private companies, including:
1. Incorporation Process
It elaborates on measures of incorporating a company using MCA forms, such as:
- SPICe+ (INC-32) for company incorporation
- e-MOA (INC-33) and e-AOA (INC-34)
- AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35) for GST, EPFO, ESIC, and bank account integration.
2. Immediate Post-Incorporation Compliances
The handbook outlines obligations after company formation, including:
- Filing INC-20A for commencement of business
- Verification of registered office using INC-22
- Appointment of the first auditor within 30 days
- Conducting the first board meeting within 30 days of incorporation
- Issuance of share certificates to subscribers.
3. Exemptions Available to Private Companies
The publication elaborates on the exemptions present under various provisions of the Companies Act
For instance–
- Relaxations of pertinent party transactions
- Reduced board meeting requirements for startups
- Exemptions from specific governance provisions applicable to public companies
- Flexibility in issuing employee stock options through ordinary resolutions.
Compliance Categories Explained
To facilitate statutory prerequisites, the handbook classifies corporate compliance into the following segments:
- Post-Incorporation Compliances
- Annual Compliances
- Event-Based Compliances
- Threshold-Based Compliances
- General Corporate Governance Requirements
This structured format supports companies in tracking obligations efficiently and avoiding penalties for non-compliance.
Focus on Ease of Doing Business
The Government has furnished various exemptions and relaxations for private companies to promote entrepreneurship and reduce compliance burdens.
Objective of such exemptions
- Improve ease of doing business
- Lessen administrative costs
- Promote startup formation
- Facilitate governance for smaller enterprises.
The ICAI handbook illustrates such relaxations in detail, allowing companies to use the available statutory benefits.
A Practical Guide for Professionals and Businesses
For corporate professionals dealing with company law compliance, the Handbook could become a crucial reference document.
With private companies forming the core of India’s corporate sector, this publication offers timely guidance to ensure improved governance, clearer compliance, and increased regulatory awareness among businesses and professionals.
Releases Official Handbook by ICAI: https://resource.cdn.icai.org/91178clc-aps4345.pdf