The ROC filing is the easy part
Reserving a new name, passing the special resolution, and getting INC-24 approved is a fairly contained process, similar in spirit to reserving a name at incorporation. What takes real coordination is everything that follows: PAN and TAN don't change, but the name on them does, GST registration needs a core amendment, bank accounts need updated KYC, and contracts, invoices, letterheads and signage all need to reflect the new name from the effective date forward. A name change that's approved at the ROC but not followed through downstream leaves the company operating under a mismatch between its legal name and what appears on its other records.
Documents required
- Board resolution approving the proposed name change and authorising the name reservation application.
- Notice of the general meeting and the special resolution approving the change.
- Name reservation approval (RUN or SPICe+ Part A) for the new name.
- The company's current Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum of Association.
The process, step by step
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Name reservation
The proposed new name is checked against existing companies, LLPs and trademarks, and reserved through the RUN facility or SPICe+ Part A.
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Board and shareholder approval
The board approves convening a general meeting, and shareholders pass the special resolution approving the name change.
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Filing MGT-14 and INC-24
The special resolution is filed in MGT-14, and the approval application in INC-24, with the reserved name and supporting resolution.
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Issue of the new Certificate of Incorporation
Once approved, a fresh certificate is issued in the new name — the CIN and original incorporation date remain unchanged, since this is a name change, not a new incorporation.
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Downstream updates
PAN, TAN, GST, bank accounts, and other registrations are updated to reflect the new name, along with practical items like letterheads, signage, and existing contracts where relevant.
Downstream updates after approval
- PAN and TAN — updated to reflect the new name; the underlying numbers don't change.
- GST registration — a core field amendment, requiring the same kind of departmental review as other core GST changes.
- Bank accounts — updated KYC and account name change with each bank the company holds an account with.
- Existing contracts — reviewed to confirm whether formal notification to counterparties is needed, depending on contract terms.
- Statutory registrations — PF, ESI, professional tax and any sector-specific licences updated to the new name.
Practical notes from our engagements
- Downstream updates treated as optional once the ROC approval comes through. The legal name change is complete at that point, but the company continues to operate with a name mismatch across its other registrations until each one is separately updated — this is real, ongoing work, not a formality.
- GST amendment delayed well beyond the ROC change. A GST registration still showing the old legal name after the company has formally changed it creates a discrepancy that can complicate invoicing and input credit claims for counterparties checking the registration.
- Bank account updates underestimated in time. Updating a company's name with its bank is often slower than the ROC process itself, and worth starting promptly once the new Certificate of Incorporation is issued.
How we handle a company name change
We manage the ROC process end to end, and then track the full list of downstream updates — GST, PAN/TAN records, bank accounts, and other registrations — so the name change is genuinely complete across the company's records, not just at the Registrar.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the company's CIN change when its name changes?
No — the Corporate Identification Number and the original incorporation date both remain the same. A name change is reflected in a fresh Certificate of Incorporation, not a new incorporation.
How long does a company name change take at the ROC?
The reservation and approval process is broadly similar in pace to a fresh incorporation name approval, though it depends on the specific application and any queries raised.
Do PAN and TAN numbers change along with the company name?
No — the underlying PAN and TAN numbers stay the same; only the name reflected on the record needs to be updated.
Do we need to inform our bank about a name change?
Yes, and this is often the slower part of the process — each bank the company holds an account with needs updated KYC and an account name change, which can take longer than the ROC approval itself.
What happens to existing contracts signed under the old company name?
The contracts generally remain valid, since it's the same legal entity, but it's worth reviewing significant contracts to check whether formal notification to counterparties is required under their specific terms.
Should we check trademark availability before choosing a new company name?
Yes — a name that clashes with an existing registered trademark can be refused at the ROC stage or create a conflict later, so checking this before finalising the proposed name is worthwhile.