Company Secretary
India is considering its most meaningful audit reform in years. MCA may exempt companies with turnover up to ₹1 crore from mandatory statutory audits — a shift that could reduce compliance costs, support small businesses, and align India with global proportional-governance standards.
Every startup has a brand — few protect it. From trademark filings to enforcement and brand licensing, here’s how Indian startups can secure their brand identity and avoid costly conflicts. A clear, step-by-step guide to brand protection strategy in India.
After incorporation, the first legal step for every company is to open a bank account and deposit its share capital. Learn how this process impacts Form INC-20A filing, director KYC, and post-incorporation compliance under the Companies Act, 2013.
A registered trademark in India is valid for 10 years and renewable forever — if renewed on time. In this expert guide, Company Secretary Prashant Kumar explains how to renew your trademark, what happens if you miss renewal, and how to restore an expired mark under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Learn how Indian startups and employees can plan ESOP taxation under the Income Tax Act, 1961 — covering perquisite tax, capital gains, and DPIIT exemptions.
A practical guide to ESOP buybacks under Indian law — how startups can legally execute buybacks, plan liquidity events, and manage taxation and compliance.
Every ESOP in India must comply with Rule 12 of the Companies Act. Learn how startups can legally approve, file, and report ESOPs — from MGT-14 to PAS-3 and valuation.
Early-stage startups often raise funds before valuation through instruments like Convertible Notes, SAFEs, and CCPS. This 2025 guide by Pratham Legal explains how each works under Indian company and FEMA laws, helping founders choose the right structure for investors while staying legally compliant.
An Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) allows employees to become co-owners in the company they help build. For startups and private companies, ESOPs are a powerful tool to attract, retain, and motivate key talent — without straining cash flow. This article explains how ESOPs work in India, their legal framework, and why they’re vital for sustainable growth.
The MCA V3 Portal has transformed annual filing into a detailed, digital process. This guide explains how AOC-4 and MGT-7 are now filed online, what’s changed from the old V2 system, and why the process takes more time under the new regime.
