A private limited company can convert into a public limited company to raise capital from a wider base and grow towards a listing. The conversion alters the company’s articles and name by a special resolution, filed in Form MGT-14 and Form INC-27. Samkhya handles your private-to-public conversion end to end.
A private company converts into a public limited company under Sections 14 and 18 of the Companies Act, 2013 by altering its articles to remove the restrictions that define a private company and changing its name to end with ‘Limited’ instead of ‘Private Limited’. The company must have at least seven shareholders and three directors, the minimum for a public company. The members pass a special resolution, which is filed in Form MGT-14 within 30 days, and the company files Form INC-27, the application for conversion. On approval, the Registrar issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation in the new name. A public company can raise capital more widely and is the structure used on the path to a stock-exchange listing, though it carries higher compliance.
Becoming a public company brings benefits:
Converting to a public company requires:
The conversion involves:
Conversion to public suits a company that:
Converting to a public company begins with a board meeting approving the change and calling a general meeting, after ensuring at least seven shareholders and three directors. The members pass a special resolution to alter the articles, removing the restrictions of a private company, and to change the name to end with ‘Limited’. The resolution is filed in Form MGT-14 within 30 days, and the company files Form INC-27, the application for conversion, with the altered MOA and AOA. The Registrar reviews the filings on the MCA V3 portal and, if satisfied, issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation in the new name, from which the company is a public limited company.
For the Conversion:
Supporting:
Converting to public follows a clear sequence:
Converting to a public company with Samkhya Corporate Services is simple. Just follow these easy steps:
From there, our team handles the resolutions, altered MOA and AOA, and INC-27 filing.
Once the company is converted:
A private-to-public conversion carries the MGT-14 and INC-27 filing fees, based on the company’s authorized capital, with professional charges separate; there is generally no Regional Director approval for this direction, so it is more straightforward than a public-to-private conversion. The main consideration is ongoing compliance: a public company faces higher requirements than a private one, more directors, stricter board and general-meeting rules, and additional disclosures, so the decision should weigh the access to capital against that burden. The process typically takes a few weeks, covering the general meeting, the 30-day MGT-14 filing, and INC-27 approval, after which the company operates as a public limited company under its new name.
| Feature | Detail |
| Governing Law | Sections 14 & 18, Companies Act 2013. |
| Approval | Special resolution of members. |
| Key Forms | MGT-14 and INC-27. |
| Minimums | Seven members, three directors. |
| Name | Ends with ‘Limited’. |
| Portal | MCA V3. |
How does a private company become public?
It alters its articles to remove the private-company restrictions and changes its name to ‘Limited’, by a special resolution filed in MGT-14 and INC-27.
How many members and directors are needed?
A public company needs at least seven shareholders and three directors, which must be in place before the conversion.
What is Form INC-27?
INC-27 is the application filed with the Registrar for the conversion of a company, used here to convert a private company into a public one.
Does the name change on conversion?
Yes. The name changes to end with ‘Limited’ instead of ‘Private Limited’, and a fresh Certificate of Incorporation is issued.
Is Regional Director approval needed?
No. Converting a private company to a public one does not need Regional Director approval, unlike a public-to-private conversion.
Does a public company have more compliance?
Yes. A public company faces higher compliance than a private one, with more directors, stricter meeting rules, and additional disclosures.
