REG-05 · Start a business
Sole Proprietorship
One owner, minimum paperwork, trading in days rather than weeks.
- Professional fee from
- ₹1,999
- Timeline
- 2–5 working days
- Governed by
- No separate statute · registered via GST, Udyam or Shops Act
Professional fee. Government fees at cost.
Best suited to
Freelancers, consultants and small traders testing an idea
Overview
A proprietorship is not a separate legal entity — it is you, trading under a business name. There is no incorporation certificate. What banks actually ask for is two proofs of business existence, typically GST registration plus Udyam registration, or a Shops and Establishment licence.
It is the cheapest way to start and the simplest to close. The limitation is that you carry unlimited personal liability, and you cannot bring in a co-owner without restructuring.
What is included
- Udyam (MSME) registration
- GST registration where required
- Shops and Establishment licence where your state requires one
- Guidance on opening a current account in the business name
Documents you need
- 01PAN and Aadhaar of the proprietor
- 02Photograph and mobile number linked to Aadhaar
- 03Address proof of the place of business
- 04Cancelled cheque or bank statement
How the filing runs
- Day 1
Documents collected
KYC and business address proof.
- Day 2
Udyam filed
MSME registration issued the same day in most cases.
- Day 3–5
GST and licences
GST application filed and Shops Act licence applied for.
Questions about sole proprietorship
01Can I open a current account with just Aadhaar and PAN?
No. Banks follow RBI KYC norms and ask for two business existence proofs. Udyam plus GST is the combination that works at almost every bank.
02Can I convert to a private limited company later?
Yes. Most founders do this once revenue is steady or an investor appears. The business assets are transferred to the new company by a slump sale or asset transfer agreement.
Tell us what the business does. We will tell you what it needs.
A 15-minute call with a Chartered Accountant or Company Secretary, at no cost, before you commit to anything.