The concept of One Person Company in India was introduced through the Companies Act, 2013 to support entrepreneurs who on their own are capable of starting a venture by allowing them to create a single person economic entity. One of the biggest advantages of a One Person Company (OPC) is that there can be only one member in an OPC, while a minimum of two members are required for incorporating and maintaining a Private Limited Company or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Similar to a Private Limited Company, a One Person Company is a separate legal entity from its promoter, offering limited liability protection to its sole shareholder, while having continuity of business and being easy to incorporate.
Though a One Person Company allows a lone Entrepreneur to operate a corporate entity with limited liability protection, an OPC does have a few limitations. For instance, every One Person Company (OPC) must nominate a nominee Director in the MOA and AOA of the Company - who will become the owner of the OPC in case the sole Director is disabled. Also, a One Person Company must be converted into a Private Limited Company if it crosses an annual turnover of Rs.2 crores and must file audited financial statements with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs at the end of each Financial Year like all types of Companies. Therefore, it is essential for the Entrepreneur to carefully consider the features of a One Person Company before incorporation.
OPC in India
The concept of One Person Company in India was introduced by Dr. Jamshed J. Irani in his Report on Company Law dated 31st May, 2oo5 . As per the report, Dr. Irani recommended that with the increasing use of information technology and emergence of a strong service sector in India, it was time for the Government to empower entrepreneurs who on their own are capable of developing ideas and participating in the marketplace. He suggested that entrepreneurs who on their own are capable of starting a venture should not be made to do it through an association of persons, and should be able to create a single person economic entity in the form of ‘One Person Company’. Further, it was also suggested that such an entity may be provided with a simpler regime through exemptions so that the single entrepreneur is not compelled to fritter away his time, energy and resources on procedural matters.
This led to the introduction of “One Person Company” in the Companies Bill 2013, which got its assent in the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012 and in the Rajya Sabha on 8 August 2013. After obtaining the assent of the President of India on 29 August 2013, it has become the Companies Act, 2013.
OPC REGISTRATION PROCESS
Before exploring the concept of a one person company, let us have a brief understanding of the various types of companies that can be formed. A company can be established for a lawful purpose by the following number of persons: