Company Name Availability Check — How to Search
Updated June 2026 · VerifiedHow to Check Company Name Availability on MCA Portal?
- Visit MCA Portal — Go to mca.gov.in and log in with your registered account.
- Navigate to RUN Service — Select “MCA Services” > “Company Services” > “RUN (Reserve Unique Name)”.
- Select Entity Type — Choose whether you are checking for a Company or LLP.
- Enter Proposed Names — You can submit up to 2 name choices with significance/meaning for each.
- Pay Fees — ₹1,000 for companies, ₹200 for LLPs.
- Submit and Wait — MCA processes the application and approves or rejects within 1–3 working days.
What Are the MCA Name Guidelines?
- Name must not be identical or too similar to an existing company/LLP/trademark.
- Name must not contain words that imply government patronage (e.g., “National,” “Union,” “Republic”) without prior approval.
- Name must not contain offensive or prohibited words.
- Name should reflect the principal business activity of the company.
- For Private Limited: name must end with “Private Limited”.
- For LLP: name must end with “LLP” or “Limited Liability Partnership”.
What Is the RUN Service?
RUN (Reserve Unique Name) is the MCA’s online service for reserving a company or LLP name. Once approved, the name is reserved for 20 days for companies (via SPICe+ Part-A) and 90 days for LLPs (via RUN-LLP). If incorporation is not completed within this period, the name reservation lapses.
What Are Common Rejection Reasons?
| Rejection Reason | Example / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Identical to existing name | “Infosys Technologies Pvt Ltd” when “Infosys Limited” exists |
| Phonetically similar | “Wiproe” sounds like “Wipro” |
| Similar to registered trademark | Using “Google” or “Apple” in the name |
| Government-related words | “National,” “Federal,” “Republic” without approval |
| Too generic or vague | “Services Private Limited” with no distinctive element |
| Inadequate significance | Not providing proper meaning/justification for the name |
What Tips Improve Chances of Name Approval?
- Be unique — Choose a coined or distinctive name rather than generic terms.
- Check trademarks first — Search the IP India trademark database before applying.
- Provide clear significance — Explain the meaning and relevance of the proposed name.
- Use two choices wisely — Make both names genuinely different so at least one gets approved.
- Avoid abbreviations — Full words are preferred over acronyms or initials.
- Match your business — The name should relate to your intended business activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an approved company name reserved?
An approved name is reserved for 20 days for companies (through SPICe+ Part-A). For LLPs, the reservation lasts 90 days. If not used within this period, the reservation lapses and the name becomes available again.
Can I resubmit if my company name is rejected?
Yes. You can file a fresh RUN application with new name choices. You can also file a resubmission within 15 days if you want to provide additional justification for the same name.
Is there a free way to check company name availability?
Yes. MCA provides a free “Company/LLP Name Search” tool on the portal. This shows existing companies with similar names. However, actual reservation requires filing the paid RUN form.
Can I use a foreign language word as my company name?
Yes, but you must provide the meaning and significance of the word in the application. The name must be written in English using Roman script on the MCA portal.
What happens if I do not incorporate within the reservation period?
The name reservation automatically lapses and becomes available for others to use. You will need to file a fresh RUN application and pay the fees again if you still want that name.
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