What is company strike off?
Strike off is the removal of a company's name from the Register of Companies under Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013. Once struck off, the company is dissolved and ceases to exist. A company can apply for this voluntarily by filing Form STK-2.
Compared with a formal winding up, strike off is much quicker and cheaper. It is the right route for companies that never started business, start-ups that have shut down, and dormant companies with no assets or liabilities. Applications are processed centrally by the MCA's Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE).
Why not just leave the company idle? Because annual filing obligations continue, late fees of ₹100 per day per form keep accumulating, and directors risk disqualification after three years of default.
Which companies can apply for strike off?
- The company has not commenced business within one year of incorporation; or
- The company has not carried on any business for the two preceding financial years and has not applied for dormant company status.
- All liabilities have been paid off and the company has nil assets and liabilities. The bank account must be closed before applying.
- Shareholders approve the strike off by a special resolution, or by consent of members holding 75% of the paid-up share capital.
- Overdue annual filings are completed — AOC-4 and MGT-7/7A must be filed up to the end of the financial year in which the company stopped carrying on business.
Not eligible: listed companies, Section 8 companies, companies with pending inspections, prosecutions or compounding applications, and companies that in the previous three months have changed their name, shifted their registered office to another state, or disposed of property for value.
Documents required for STK-2
Prepared by us, signed by you
- Board resolution authorising the application
- Special resolution or consent of 75% of members
- Indemnity bond in Form STK-3 from every director (notarised)
- Affidavit in Form STK-4 from every director (notarised)
- Statement of accounts in Form STK-8, not older than 30 days, certified by a Chartered Accountant
From the company
- PAN and address proof of all directors
- Bank account closure certificate or statement
- Latest filed financial statements
- Statement regarding pending litigation, if any
- DSC of the authorised director
Company strike off process
Eligibility & filing status check Week 1
We check the company's status, pending filings and liabilities, and tell you the total cost upfront — including any additional fees for overdue returns.
Clear liabilities & close the bank account Week 1–3
Outstanding dues are settled, the bank account is closed and the closure letter obtained.
Complete pending annual filings As needed
Overdue AOC-4 and MGT-7/7A are filed up to the year in which business ceased.
Resolutions, bonds & affidavits Week 2–4
We draft the board and special resolutions, STK-3 indemnity bonds, STK-4 affidavits and the STK-8 statement of accounts for signature and notarisation.
File Form STK-2 Week 4
The application is filed with the ₹10,000 government fee. MGT-14 is filed for the special resolution.
Public notice & objections 30 days
The Registrar publishes a notice in Form STK-6 on the MCA website and in the Official Gazette, inviting objections for 30 days.
Dissolution 3–6 months overall
If there are no objections, the company's name is struck off and the notice of dissolution is published in Form STK-7.
Strike off plans
Basic
Filings are up to date and accounts are ready.
+ ₹10,000 govt. fee
Choose Basic- Eligibility check
- Board & special resolutions
- STK-3 and STK-4 drafting
- STK-2 and MGT-14 filing
Standard
Complete closure, start to finish.
+ ₹10,000 govt. fee & notary
Choose Standard- Everything in Basic, plus:
- CA-certified statement of accounts (STK-8)
- Bank account closure guidance
- Reply to ROC queries & resubmission
- Follow-up until dissolution
With Backlog
Pending annual returns need to be filed first.
onwards + govt. & late fees
Choose With Backlog- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Pending AOC-4 & MGT-7/7A filing
- Accounts preparation for missed years
- Audit coordination
- Upfront estimate of MCA late fees
Prices are professional fees, exclusive of GST. The final fee for companies with a filing backlog depends on the number of years pending; you receive a fixed written quote after our free status check.
Strike off vs dormant status vs winding up
| Strike Off (STK-2) | Dormant Status (MSC-1) | Voluntary Liquidation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Company is dissolved | Company stays alive with minimal compliance | Company is dissolved |
| Suitable when | No assets, no liabilities, no business | You may revive the business later | Company has assets or liabilities to settle |
| Typical time | 3–6 months | 1–2 months | 12 months or more |
| Relative cost | Low | Low, but recurring | High |
Company strike off — common questions
How much does it cost to close a Private Limited Company?
The government fee for Form STK-2 is ₹10,000. Our professional fee starts at ₹4,999. You should also budget for notarisation and stamp paper, the CA-certified statement of accounts and — if returns are overdue — the MCA's additional fees for those filings. We give you one consolidated estimate before you start.
How long does the strike off process take?
Usually three to six months from filing STK-2, including the mandatory 30-day public notice period. The timeline depends on processing at C-PACE and on whether any objections or queries are raised.
Do I have to file pending annual returns before applying?
Yes. The rules require overdue financial statements and annual returns to be filed up to the end of the financial year in which the company ceased to carry on business, before STK-2 can be filed.
Can a company with a bank balance or outstanding loans be struck off?
No. The company must have nil assets and nil liabilities on the date of the statement of accounts. Any balance has to be distributed or used to pay dues, loans must be settled, and the bank account closed.
Are directors still liable after the company is struck off?
Yes. Under Section 248(7), the liability of every director, manager, officer and member continues and may be enforced as if the company had not been dissolved. This is also why each director signs an indemnity bond.
Can a struck-off company be revived?
Yes, through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under Section 252. A person aggrieved by the Registrar's order can appeal within three years, and the company, a member or a creditor can apply for restoration of the name within twenty years of the strike off notice.
How do I close an LLP?
An LLP that has not carried on business for a year or more can apply for strike off in Form 24 with the consent of all partners, an affidavit and indemnity, and a statement of accounts showing nil assets and liabilities. We handle LLP closures too.