7 Compliances Every New Hyderabad Startup Must Complete Within 90 Days of Incorporation

Getting your certificate of incorporation feels like the finish line. It is actually the starting gun. The Companies Act, 2013 imposes a series of time-bound post-incorporation compliances, and missing them attracts penalties, disqualifies directors, and can even lead to the company being struck off. This is the practical post-incorporation compliance checklist every new Hyderabad startup should work through in its first 90 days — with the exact statutory deadline for each item, because the timelines differ.

Note on the 90-day frame: some of these obligations have statutory deadlines shorter than 90 days (30 or 60 days) and one extends to 180 days. Treating the first quarter as your action window keeps you comfortably ahead of every deadline below.

1. Hold the first Board Meeting — within 30 days

The first meeting of the Board of Directors must be held within 30 days of incorporation. At this meeting the Board typically takes on record the incorporation, appoints the first auditor, authorises the bank account, and notes directors’ disclosures. Minutes must be properly recorded and maintained.

2. Appoint the first Auditor — within 30 days

The Board must appoint the first statutory auditor within 30 days of incorporation. If the Board fails to do so, the members must appoint the auditor within 90 days in an Extraordinary General Meeting. This is one of the most commonly missed compliances — do not skip it.

3. Directors’ disclosure of interest (Form MBP-1)

At the first Board meeting, every director must disclose their interest in other entities in Form MBP-1. This disclosure is a statutory requirement and must be recorded and retained. It is also renewed at the first Board meeting of every financial year.

4. Issue Share Certificates — within 60 days

Share certificates must be issued to the subscribers of the Memorandum within 60 days of incorporation. Stamp duty on share certificates (a state levy in Telangana) must also be paid within the prescribed time. Failing to issue certificates is a frequently overlooked default.

5. Open the bank account and deposit subscription money

Open the company’s current account and ensure each subscriber deposits the amount they committed to in the Memorandum. This step is a prerequisite for the next compliance — the commencement of business declaration — because you must prove the subscription money has actually been received.

6. File Declaration of Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A) — within 180 days

Every company with share capital must file Form INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation, declaring that subscribers have paid the value of shares agreed. Until this is filed, the company cannot legally commence business or borrow money. Non-filing attracts a penalty on the company and on every officer in default, and can trigger strike-off. This is the single most important post-incorporation filing to protect.

7. Complete tax and state registrations — GST, PT, and local

Depending on your activity and location in Hyderabad, complete the applicable registrations promptly:

• GST registration — where turnover thresholds, inter-state supply, or e-commerce make it mandatory.
• Professional Tax (Telangana) — registration for the entity and, where you have employees, for deducting employees’ PT.
• Telangana Shops & Establishments — registration for your place of business, generally within 30 days of commencement.
• PF and ESI — once you cross the applicable employee thresholds.
• Udyam (MSME) — recommended to unlock MSME benefits and delayed-payment protection.

Not all of these apply to every business — register what your specific activity requires. Our guide on registration mistakes Hyderabad founders make explains how over-registering can be as harmful as under-registering.

Quick-reference deadline table

Why this matters beyond penalties

Clean, timely compliance is not just about avoiding fines. It is what lets you pass investor due diligence, open banking and credit lines, onboard corporate clients, and — should a dispute ever arise — stand on solid ground. A company that is compliant from day one is a company that can scale without nasty surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appoint the first auditor after incorporation?

The Board must appoint the first statutory auditor within 30 days of incorporation. If the Board fails, the members must do so within 90 days in an EGM.

What happens if Form INC-20A is not filed within 180 days?

The company cannot legally commence business or borrow, penalties apply to the company and its officers in default, and the Registrar may initiate strike-off. It is a critical filing to complete on time.

Do I need to issue share certificates for a small startup?

Yes. Share certificates must be issued to subscribers within 60 days of incorporation, regardless of the company’s size, along with payment of the applicable stamp duty in Telangana.

Which registrations are mandatory for a new company in Hyderabad?

It depends on your activity. GST is mandatory only in specific situations; Professional Tax and Shops & Establishments generally apply where you have a place of work or employees. A professional assessment maps exactly what your business needs.

Can one CA handle all post-incorporation compliances?

Yes. A Chartered Accountant firm can manage the entire post-incorporation compliance calendar — board meetings, auditor appointment, INC-20A, share certificates, and tax registrations — so nothing is missed.

Stay compliant from day one — with a Hyderabad CA

ComplianceKart manages the complete post-incorporation compliance calendar for Hyderabad startups, so you can focus on building. Contact us to set up your compliance schedule.