Overview of Conversion of Private Limited to Public Limited Company

In the Indian Corporate Sector, a Private company enjoys every benefit which is available to a Public Company. However, when it plans to expand its business operation, it cannot issue debentures and shares to the public to raise capital. Therefore, the Conversion of Private Limited to Public Limited opens new opportunities, mainly in the form of market reach and fundraising.
The provisions of conversions are covered under the Companies Act, 2013 and Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2020.

Concept of Private Limited Company

A Private Limited Company is a privately owned business entity. The liability of members under this business format is limited to the extent of shares held by them.
As per the Companies Act, 2013, a private company needs a minimum o f two and a maximum of 200 members. It requires a minimum of two and a maximum of fifteen directors to run its business operations. A foreign national is also eligible to become director of a Private Limited Company.
After the introduction of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015, the requirement to have Rs 1, 00,000 as minimum paid-up capital for private limited companies has been removed.

Concept of Public Limited Company

A Public Limited Company is a joint-stock company regulated by the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. This business format has the benefit of limited liability and can issue shares to the public.
A minimum of seven members are required to start a Public Limited Company. However, there is no upper limit for the maximum number of members.
After incorporation, a public company needs to add either “public limited company” or “PLC” as a suffix in its name.

Benefits of Conversion of Private Limited to Public Limited

In India, the benefits of conversion of Private Limited to Public Limited are as follows:
A Public Company can issue shares to the public to raise investments;
A Public Company can list its shares on a recognised stock exchange. It means that more people will get information about its functions, thereby increasing brand recognition.
A Public limited company can transfer its shares in comparison to a private limited company. It means that a shareholder is not bound to be with the company forever and can easily sell shares for a profit.
A Public Company can accept deposits from the public under section 76 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Minimum Requirements for Conversion of Private Company to Public Company

The minimum requirements for conversion of private company to public company are as follows:
DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) for at least one director;
A minimum of seven shareholders;
DIN (Director Identification Number) for all directors;
Director and Shareholder can be the same person;
A minimum of three directors.

Documents Required for Conversion of Private Company to Public Company

The documents required for conversion of Private Company to Public Company can be summarised as:
PAN Card details of the Shareholders and Directors;
A copy of Passport of the Foreign Nationals;
A copy of Voter ID/ Driving License/ Passport of Shareholders and Directors;
Address Proof in the form of Telephone Bill/ Electricity Bill of Shareholders and Directors;
Latest Passport-sized photograph of Shareholders and Directors;
Utility Bill in the form of Electricity Bill/ Telephone Bill/ Water Bill of the registered office;
No-Objection Certificate from the owner of the premise used as Registered office;
Rent Agreement or Lease Deed of the registered office;
In the case of Foreign National, all the documents of the director(s) must be duly notarised;
A copy of the Company’s Incorporation Certificate;
A copy of the company’s MOA (Memorandum of Association) and AOA (Articles of Association);
Copies of the latest audited Financial Statements;
A copy of the ITR (Income Tax Return) filed by the company.

Regulatory Framework for Conversion of Private Company to Public Company

In India, the legal provisions governing the process of conversion are as follows:
Section 2(68) and 2(71) of the Companies Act, 2013;
Section 3 of the Companies Act, 2013;
Section 18 of the Companies Act, 2013;
Section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013;
Section 13 held with Rule 29 of the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2020 for the alteration of Memorandum of Association;
Section 14 read with Rule 33 of the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2020 for the alteration of Articles of Association;

Procedure for Conversion of Private Company to Public Company

The steps involved in the procedure of conversion of Private Company to Public Company are as follows:
Issue Notice for Holding Board Meeting
The directors of a Private Limited Company need to send a notice for holding BM (Board Meeting). The notice must be sent at least seven days before the date of BM. It must also contain the proposed agenda of the meeting. The items included the proposed agenda are as follows:
To Pass Board Resolution for Conversion;
Fix time, date, place, and day of the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM); Approval of the notice for calling EGM together with the Explanatory Statements
Hold Board Meeting
In the BM, the directors of the company must approve the following items:
To approve the Conversion of Private Company to Public Company;
Finalise the list of Creditors;
Approve the draft of MOA (Memorandum of Association);
Approve the draft of AOA (Article of Association);
Fix time, date, and venue for holding EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting)
Send Notice for Holding EGM
The directors need to send a notice for the EGM at least twenty-one days before the date of the EGM.
Convene EGM

A Special Resolution (SR) for authorising the conversion of private company to public company should be passed in the EGM. Shareholders also need to approve the draft of the new AOA and MOA in the meeting.
File MGT-14
After passing the SR, Directors need to file form MGT- 14 with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) within thirty days from the date of the EGM.
File INC- 27
Directors also need to file INC- 27 with the ROC within fifteen days from the date of EGM.
Approval of MGT- 14 and INC- 27
The Registrar of Company (ROC) needs to approve the form filed if he/she is satisfied that the Private Company fulfills all the requirements.
Certificate of Incorporation (COI)
ROC will issue a COI after the approval of MGT- 14 and INC- 27.

The Post Conversion Requirements are as follows:
Apply for a fresh PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card;
Update all the stationery and business letterheads with the new name of the company;
Update Bank Account details of the company;
Intimate all the authorities, like Sales Tax and Excise, etc. about the change;
Increase the number of directors to a minimum of three directors;
Printed copies of the new Memorandum of Association and Article of Association have to be made at the earliest.

₹ 4,999/ Original ₹ 9,999 (50.01% OFF)