Section 15 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 15 has two rules on the name of an LLP. It must end with the words "limited liability partnership" or the letters "LLP", and the Central Government can refuse a name it considers undesirable or one that is identical to, or too nearly resembles, another LLP, a company or a registered trade mark. The 2021 Act rewrote the second limb. To pick or change a name with these rules in mind, see our change in name of LLP service.
Every LLP must have either the words "limited liability partnership" or the acronym "LLP" as the last words of its name (15(1)). No LLP shall be registered by a name which, in the opinion of the Central Government, is (a) undesirable, or (b) identical or too nearly resembles that of any other LLP or a company or a registered trade mark of any other person under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 (15(2), with clause (b) substituted by the 2021 Act).
Section 15 at a glance
| Provision | Rule |
|---|---|
| 15(1) | "limited liability partnership" or "LLP" must be the last words of the name |
| 15(2)(a) | No name that, in the Central Government's opinion, is undesirable |
| 15(2)(b) | No name identical or too nearly resembling another LLP, a company, or another person's registered trade mark |
Section 15(1): how the name must end
"Every limited liability partnership shall have either the words 'limited liability partnership' or the acronym 'LLP' as the last words of its name." Two accepted endings, and they must come last. A name such as "Orchid Foods LLP" or "Orchid Foods Limited Liability Partnership" fits; a name with "LLP" in the middle does not. The text does not say what must come before the ending, which is where sections 15(2) and 16 and the rules apply.
The connected offence in section 20 is covered separately: a person carrying on business under a name ending in these words, when not incorporated as an LLP, is punishable with fine (see the article on sections 20 and 21).
Section 15(2): names that cannot be registered
The sub-section says "in the opinion of the Central Government". The decision lies with the Central Government, not with the person applying. The words "No limited liability partnership shall be registered by a name which ... is" make it a bar on registration.
(a) Undesirable
A name that, in the opinion of the Central Government, is undesirable. The Act does not define "undesirable" in section 15, nor does the clean text give examples. The text leaves it to the Central Government's opinion.
(b) Identical or too nearly resembling
As substituted by the 2021 Act (clause 7), a name that is identical or too nearly resembles that of:
- any other limited liability partnership; or
- a company; or
- a registered trade mark of any other person under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
The words "identical or too nearly resembles" set a test wider than an exact match: a name close enough to another may also be refused. The Act does not give a formula; it is a judgement by the Central Government.
What changed in 2021
Footnote 25 to the clean text prints the earlier clause (b). Before the 2021 Act, a name could be refused if it was identical or too nearly resembled the name of:
| Earlier text | Present text |
|---|---|
| any other partnership firm | Not listed |
| or limited liability partnership | any other limited liability partnership |
| or body corporate | or a company |
| or a registered trade mark, or a trade mark which is subject matter of an application for registration, of any other person under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 | or a registered trade mark of any other person under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 |
Three differences stand out. Partnership firms are no longer in the list. "Body corporate" (the wide term in section 2(1)(d)) is replaced by "a company". And a trade mark that is only the subject of a pending application is no longer named; the present text speaks of a registered trade mark. The 2021 Act also added section 17 as a substituted section, under which a registered trade mark owner can apply to have a name changed within a stated period (see section 17).
Example. Anita and Vikram want to register "Zenith Textiles LLP". The ending is correct under 15(1). If a company called "Zenith Textiles Private Limited" exists, or "Zenith" is a registered trade mark of another person in a way that makes the LLP's name identical or too nearly resembling it, 15(2)(b) may bar it. A name that clashes only with a partnership firm's name is no longer within the clause as printed now.
Where section 15 meets the next sections
| Section | Link with section 15 |
|---|---|
| 16 | A person may apply to the Registrar to reserve a name; the Registrar may reserve it only if it is not one that may be rejected on a ground in section 15(2) |
| 17 | Rectification where a name was registered, through inadvertence or otherwise, that is identical with or too nearly resembles a name described there |
| 19 | A registered LLP may change its name by notice to the Registrar |
Section 16 is the practical route: reserve the name before incorporation. Our guide to LLP name reservation through RUN-LLP describes the steps, and our guide on how to change an LLP name covers a later change.
Practical points
- End the name with "LLP" or "limited liability partnership", and nothing after it.
- Search for companies, LLPs and registered trade marks before settling on a name.
- Reserve the name under section 16 before filing the incorporation document.
- Remember that registration is not the end: section 17 allows a later direction to change a name that resembles a registered trade mark, within the period stated there.
Need help with an LLP name?
A name that is refused or later challenged costs time. Our change in name of LLP service covers both choosing a compliant name and changing an existing one, and our team can run through the section 15 tests with you before you apply.
Key takeaways
- The name must end with "limited liability partnership" or "LLP" (15(1)).
- Names the Central Government considers undesirable cannot be registered (15(2)(a)).
- A name identical or too nearly resembling another LLP, a company or a registered trade mark cannot be registered (15(2)(b), as substituted in 2021).
- The earlier clause covered partnership firms, body corporates and trade mark applications; the present text does not.
- Reservation (section 16) and rectification (section 17) work alongside this section.
Read next
- Section 16: reservation of name
- Sections 17 and 18: change or rectification of name
- LLP Name Reservation: RUN-LLP Process and Restrictions
- Form 5 Under Section 19: Changing the Name of an LLP
Disclaimer: Based on the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 as amended by the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Act, 2021, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Forms, fees and procedure are set by the LLP Rules, 2009 as amended from time to time. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.