RUN — Change of Existing Company Name

Q: What is the RUN form and how is it different from INC-24?

RUN reserves a proposed new name for an existing company — valid for 20 days. INC-24 is the actual name change application filed after the special resolution, requiring the RUN approval number, resolution, and altered MOA. Both together complete the name change.

Q: Can MCA reject a RUN application?

Yes — if the name is identical or similar to an existing entity, resembles a trademark, contains prohibited words, or is considered undesirable. Each application allows two name options. Pre-filing checks significantly reduce rejection risk.

Q: Does changing the company name affect its CIN, PAN, or legal obligations?

CIN is updated (company number unchanged). PAN must be updated with the Income Tax Department. GST and bank accounts must be amended. Legal identity, liabilities, and existing contracts continue — only the name changes.

Q: How long does the complete company name change process take?

Typically 3 to 6 weeks: RUN approval 1-2 working days; board/special resolution and MGT-14 filing 1-2 weeks; INC-24 ROC processing 1-3 weeks. Must be completed within 60 days of the special resolution.

Q: Are there restrictions on what a company can be named?

Yes. Names must not be identical/similar to existing entities, resemble trademarks, suggest government connection, use regulated words (Bank, Insurance, Stock Exchange) without regulatory permission, or be offensive. Must comply with the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.

Reserve a New Name for Your Company Using the RUN Form on MCA — Before Filing INC-24 for the Formal Name Change

When an existing company wishes to change its name, the first step is to reserve the new proposed name with the MCA using the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) form. RUN checks and reserves a proposed name for a period of 20 days — during which the company must pass the necessary resolutions and file Form INC-24 with the ROC to effect the formal name change and obtain a fresh Certificate of Incorporation in the new name.

A company's name is a critical business and legal identifier — visible on all contracts, invoices, and statutory filings. A name change affects the company's MCA records, PAN, GST registration, and all business registrations. Our RUN and name change service handles the complete process — from name availability search through the fresh Certificate of Incorporation. This connects with our incorporation and change overview and change management services.

Our RUN Name Change Services

Name Availability Search

Conducting a thorough search on MCA's name availability tool and trademark databases to assess whether the proposed name is available and compliant with MCA naming guidelines before filing RUN.

RUN Form Filing

Preparing and filing the RUN application on the MCA portal for name reservation — ensuring the proposed name does not conflict with existing company names, LLPs, or registered trademarks.

Board & Shareholder Resolution Drafting

Drafting the board resolution for proposing the name change and the special resolution for shareholder approval — both required before INC-24 can be filed with the ROC.

MGT-14 Filing

Filing Form MGT-14 with the ROC within 30 days of passing the special resolution for name change — required to register the special resolution with the Registrar before INC-24 is processed.

INC-24 Name Change Filing

Filing Form INC-24 with the ROC within 60 days of the special resolution — attaching the RUN approval, special resolution, and altered MOA — to obtain the fresh Certificate of Incorporation in the new name.

Post-Name Change Updates

Advising on all post-name change updates required — including PAN name change, GST amendment, bank account update, trademark amendment, and updating the company name on all statutory registers and documents.

Key Facts About Company Name Change

RUN approval is valid for 20 days — INC-24 must be filed within this window
A special resolution by shareholders is mandatory for a company name change under Section 13
MGT-14 must be filed within 30 days of passing the special resolution
INC-24 must be filed within 60 days of passing the special resolution
The new name takes effect only from the date of the fresh Certificate of Incorporation issued by the ROC
The proposed name must comply with MCA naming guidelines — no identical or deceptively similar names to existing entities
Certain words (Bank, Insurance, National, etc.) require prior approval from relevant regulators before use in company names

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RUN form and how is it different from INC-24?

RUN (Reserve Unique Name) is the name reservation form filed on the MCA portal to check and reserve a proposed new name for an existing company. It results in a name approval valid for 20 days. INC-24 is the actual name change application filed after the special resolution is passed — it requires the RUN approval number, the special resolution, and the altered MOA. Together, RUN and INC-24 complete the name change process, resulting in a fresh Certificate of Incorporation.

Can MCA reject a RUN application?

Yes. MCA rejects RUN applications where the proposed name is identical or too similar to an existing registered company or LLP name, is identical to a registered trademark, contains words prohibited under the Companies (Incorporation) Rules (such as "Bank", "Insurance", "Stock Exchange" without regulatory approval), or is considered undesirable under MCA guidelines. Each RUN application allows two name options — if both are rejected, a fresh application must be filed. Careful name selection and pre-filing checks significantly reduce rejection risk.

Does changing the company name affect its CIN, PAN, or legal obligations?

The CIN (Corporate Identification Number) is updated to reflect the new name but the company number remains the same. The PAN must be updated with the Income Tax Department — a name change request can be submitted online and a new PAN card will be issued. GST registration must be amended to reflect the new name. Bank accounts, contracts, and all statutory registers must be updated. The company's legal identity, liabilities, and existing contracts continue — only the name changes.

How long does the complete company name change process take?

The complete name change process typically takes 3 to 6 weeks: RUN application approval takes 1 to 2 working days; passing board and special resolutions and filing MGT-14 takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks; and INC-24 processing by the ROC typically takes 1 to 3 weeks after filing. The entire process must be completed within 60 days of the special resolution — the RUN approval's 20-day validity is the critical timeline constraint at the start.

Are there restrictions on what a company can be named?

Yes. Under the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, a company name must not: be identical or similar to an existing registered company or LLP; resemble a registered trademark without consent; contain words suggesting government connection (National, Central, Government) without approval; use regulated words (Bank, Insurance, Stock Exchange, Mutual Fund) without regulatory permission; or be offensive, obscene, or contrary to public interest. Names must be unique, meaningful, and compliant with MCA's comprehensive list of prohibited and restricted words.