Running a business in India has never been easy for small entrepreneurs and startups. Between managing clients, cash flow, and compliance, many founders struggle to meet complex filing timelines, especially in the early stages of their journey.

Today, even a small delay in filing annual returns or financial statements with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) results in a penalty of ₹100 per day per form under the Companies Act, 2013. This quickly adds up to thousands of rupees, a heavy burden for early-stage businesses that are already operating on limited resources.

We are not asking to remove compliance or accountability. We are simply requesting that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) introduce a fairer, more flexible penalty structure for small businesses and startups.

Our Key Requests:

1. Introduce a grace period of 30 days for startups and small companies after the due date, before daily penalties apply.
2. Provide a one-time waiver or reduced penalties for first-time delays in ROC filings.
3. Offer awareness and support programs for newly incorporated companies to help them understand compliance timelines.

These reforms would not only ease the financial burden on small entrepreneurs but also encourage voluntary compliance and strengthen trust between startups and regulators.

India’s startup ecosystem is thriving, but true ease of doing business means supporting founders through their learning curve, not penalizing them into financial strain.

Sign this petition to urge the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to make ROC compliance fair, practical, and startup-friendly. Together, we can build an environment where entrepreneurs can focus on growth, not just penalties.