By Manu Rao | Updated March 2026
What Is RUN?
RUN — Reserve Unique Name — is the MCA's online name reservation service for new companies and LLPs. It allows promoters to check name availability and reserve their preferred company name before filing the incorporation application. A name reserved through RUN stays valid for 60 days, giving applicants time to prepare the remaining incorporation documents.
RUN was introduced to separate the name approval process from incorporation, reducing back-and-forth. Before RUN, name reservation happened within the incorporation form, and a name rejection meant restarting the entire application.
Legal Framework
- Companies Act 2013, Section 4(4) — Name reservation and approval by the Registrar
- Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014, Rule 9 — Procedure for reservation of name
- MCA Circular dated May 2019 — Introduction of RUN web service
RUN vs. SPICe+ Part A
Two options exist for reserving a company name:
| Feature | RUN | SPICe+ Part A |
|---|---|---|
| Validity of reserved name | 60 days | 20 days |
| Names per application | 2 (1 re-submission allowed) | 2 (1 re-submission allowed) |
| Fee | Rs. 1,000 | No separate fee (included in SPICe+) |
| Can file before Part B? | Yes, standalone | Yes, but linked to SPICe+ |
| Use case | When you need more time to prepare documents | When you are ready to file incorporation soon |
For foreign investors, RUN is usually the better choice. The 60-day validity gives enough time to get foreign documents apostilled, obtain DSCs, and prepare the MOA and AOA. The 20-day window of SPICe+ Part A is often too tight when coordinating across countries and time zones.
How to File RUN
- Log in to MCA portal — The applicant (proposed director or authorized professional) logs into mca.gov.in
- Select RUN service — Under "MCA Services" > "Company" > "Reserve Unique Name"
- Enter proposed names — Up to 2 names in order of preference, with a brief description of the significance of each name
- Select entity type — Company or LLP
- Pay fee — Rs. 1,000 for companies, Rs. 500 for LLPs (payable online)
- Submit — The application goes to the Central Registration Centre (CRC) for processing
Timeline
MCA's Central Registration Centre processes RUN applications within 1-3 working days. Straightforward names are approved in 24-48 hours. Names that are similar to existing companies or trademarks may be flagged, resulting in a query or rejection.
Name Approval Rules
MCA follows strict rules for company name approvals under Section 4(2) and (3) of the Companies Act:
Grounds for Rejection
- Identical to an existing company or LLP — Checked against the MCA database of active, dormant, and struck-off companies
- Too similar to an existing name — "Similar" includes phonetic similarity, abbreviated versions, and variations (e.g., "Infosis" vs. "Infosys")
- Violation of Emblems Act — Names containing words like "United Nations," "WHO," "Red Cross," or national emblems are prohibited under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950
- Undesirable names — Names that suggest government patronage (e.g., "National," "Government") require NOC from the relevant authority
- Trademark conflict — If the proposed name is identical to a registered trademark, MCA may require NOC from the trademark owner
Tips for Faster Approval
- Use a distinctive coined word rather than generic descriptive terms
- Avoid common words like "India," "Global," "International" as the primary element — they are shared by thousands of companies
- Check the MCA company name search before filing to avoid wasted applications
- Provide a clear explanation of the name's significance — this helps the examiner approve faster
RUN for LLPs (RUN-LLP)
A separate service — RUN-LLP — exists for reserving LLP names. The process and rules are the same, but the form is different. The LLP name must end with "LLP" or "Limited Liability Partnership." The fee is Rs. 500, and the reservation is valid for 90 days (not 60 days like company names).
What Happens After Name Reservation?
Once the name is approved:
- You receive an approval letter with the reserved name and its validity date
- Use this name in the SPICe+ Part B incorporation form
- The MOA must use the exact approved name — including correct spelling and suffix ("Private Limited" or "Limited")
- File SPICe+ Part B within the validity period (60 days for RUN, 20 days for Part A)
If you do not file for incorporation within the validity period, the name expires. Another applicant can reserve the same name. There is no extension provision.
Common Mistakes
- Not checking the MCA database first — Filing RUN for a name that already exists wastes the application. Use the free "Check Company Name" tool on mca.gov.in before filing.
- Generic names — "ABC Trading Private Limited" or "XYZ Solutions Private Limited" are likely to conflict with existing companies. Distinctive names get approved faster.
- Letting the reservation expire — Foreign investors often underestimate the time needed for apostille and DSC procurement. Start these processes before filing RUN, not after.
- Trademark conflicts — MCA may approve a name that conflicts with a registered trademark, but the trademark owner can later demand a name change under Section 16. Search the trademark registry (ipindia.gov.in) before finalizing your name.
- Wrong suffix — Private companies must end with "Private Limited." Public companies end with "Limited." LLPs end with "LLP." Using the wrong suffix means reapplying.
Practical Example
An Australian e-commerce company wants to register a subsidiary in India. Their preferred name: "KoalaCart India Private Limited." Before filing RUN, they check the MCA name search — no company with "KoalaCart" exists. They also check the Indian trademark registry — no registered trademark for "KoalaCart" in Class 35 (business services) or Class 42 (technology services).
They file RUN on March 1 with:
- First preference: "KoalaCart India Private Limited"
- Second preference: "KoalaCart Technologies Private Limited"
- Significance: "KoalaCart is the trading name of the Australian parent company, used since 2019"
MCA approves "KoalaCart India Private Limited" on March 3 — the name is reserved until May 2 (60 days). The Australian team uses this time to get their passports apostilled through DFAT (Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), obtain DSCs from eMudhra, and draft the MOA and AOA.
On April 15, they file SPICe+ Part B — well within the 60-day window. The company is incorporated on April 22.
Need help reserving your company name? Visit Beacon Filing.