Ready to Start? Here's What You Actually Need to Do
Starting a business in India or Nepal doesn't require an MBA or a massive investment. What it does require is getting the paperwork right from day one — so you can focus on building your business instead of dealing with compliance issues later.
This guide covers the practical steps for both countries, side by side.
Business Registration
India
India offers several business structures, each with different compliance requirements:
Sole Proprietorship
- No formal registration required (though GST registration may be needed)
- Operate under your own PAN (Permanent Account Number)
- Simplest structure — just start trading
- No limited liability protection
One Person Company (OPC)
- Introduced in 2013 for single entrepreneurs who want limited liability
- Register through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal
- Requires a minimum of 1 director and 1 nominee
- Annual compliance: financial statements, annual return, income tax return