Table of Contents
- What CS Services Cost in India
- Pricing Models Explained
- Detailed Fee Breakdown by Service
- Full-Time vs Outsourced: How to Decide
- Factors That Affect Pricing
- How to Budget for CS Services
- How Engagements Are Structured
- Frequently Asked Questions
What CS Services Cost in India (2026 Rates)
Company Secretary fees in Bangalore range from ₹5,000 per month for basic compliance to ₹75,000+ per month for comprehensive enterprise services. The exact cost depends on your company's stage, complexity, and specific compliance needs.
Quick answer:Company secretary costs in Bangalore depend on the engagement type, not a fixed rate. Companies typically choose between a per-filing fee for one-off ROC work, a monthly retainer for ongoing compliance, or a full-time hire for large operations. What you pay scales with company type, transaction volume, and whether you also need event-based filings, secretarial audit, or FEMA support. The sections below break down each pricing model so you can budget realistically.
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CS Sapna Malpani advises startups and growing companies on ROC, FEMA and corporate governance compliance.
Book a consultationWhatsAppHere's the honest truth: most CS firms in Bangalore and Bengaluru don't publish their pricing. This lack of transparency creates confusion and anxiety for founders who just want to know what they're getting into. This guide breaks down every cost so you can budget accurately.
At Sapna Malpani CS, we believe in transparent pricing because compliance shouldn't come with surprises, neither should the bill.
Pricing Models for CS Services
Company Secretary services in India typically follow three pricing models:
1. Monthly Retainer (Most Common)
A fixed monthly fee covering ongoing compliance management, filing reminders, board meeting support, and regulatory updates. Best for companies needing regular compliance oversight.
Typical range: ₹10,000 to ₹75,000/month
2. Per-Filing / Per-Service
Pay only for specific filings or services as needed. Best for companies with minimal compliance requirements or one-time needs.
Typical range: ₹3,000 to ₹22,000 per filing
3. Project-Based
A fixed fee for specific projects like fundraising support, secretarial audit, or governance framework setup. Best for defined-scope projects.
Typical range: from ₹75,000 onwards per project
Detailed Fee Breakdown by Service
The ranges in this section are general, indicative market figures for the industry, not a quotation and not an advertisement of the charges of any individual professional. Actual scope and terms are agreed case by case.
MCA Annual Compliance
| Service | Starting Price | Typical Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Return (MGT-7) | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 | Preparation + filing |
| Financial Statements (AOC-4) | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 | Preparation + filing |
| Director KYC (DIR-3) | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 to ₹5,000 | Per director |
| INC-22A (Active Status) | ₹3,500 | ₹3,500 to ₹7,000 | Address verification |
| Full Annual Filing Package (per year) | ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 | All annual filings + deadline tracking |
FEMA Compliance
| Service | Starting Price | Typical Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDI Reporting (FC-GPR/FC-TRS) | ₹7,500 | ₹7,500 to ₹22,000 | Per filing |
| Annual FEMA Compliance | ₹12,000/mo | ₹12,000 to ₹37,000/mo | Companies with foreign investors |
| ECB Documentation | ₹15,000 | ₹15,000 to ₹37,000 | Per ECB filing |
| RBI Liaison | ₹7,500 | ₹7,500 to ₹22,000 | Per matter |
Fundraising Support
| Service | Starting Price | Typical Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Seed / Angel Round | ₹40,000 | ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 | Basic documentation + filings |
| Series A Support | ₹75,000 | ₹75,000 to ₹1,25,000 | Data room + due diligence + post-closing |
| Series B+ Support | ₹1,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 to ₹2,00,000 | Complex cap table + multi-investor |
| Cap Table Management | ₹7,500/mo | ₹7,500 to ₹20,000/mo | Ongoing maintenance + updates |
Secretarial Audit
| Company Type | Starting Price | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Startup / Private Limited | ₹25,000 | ₹25,000 to ₹45,000 |
| Mid-Size Company | ₹40,000 | ₹40,000 to ₹75,000 |
| Listed Company | ₹75,000 | ₹75,000 to ₹3,00,000 |
Board Meeting Compliance
| Service | Price Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Per Meeting | ₹5,000 to ₹12,000 | Agenda, minutes, resolutions |
| Annual Package (4 meetings) | ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 | All board + committee meetings |
Corporate Governance Setup
| Service | Price Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Framework | ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 | Policies + registers + templates |
| Comprehensive Setup | ₹50,000 to ₹90,000 | Full governance overhaul + training |
Full-Time CS vs Outsourced: How to Decide
Whether to hire a company secretary in-house or work with a practising CS on retainer usually comes down to your compliance load, not just budget:
- Filing volume & complexity:A single private company with routine annual filings rarely needs a full-time hire; multiple entities, FEMA reporting, or active fundraising strengthen the case for dedicated or senior support.
- In-house cost of ownership:A full-time hire carries salary plus statutory contributions (EPF, ESI), workspace, equipment, and ongoing training and certification, recurring regardless of filing volume in a given month.
- Outsourced model:A retainer or per-service arrangement gives you access to a practising CS and signing authority (Secretarial Audit, certifications) without the fixed overhead, scaling up around board meetings, fundraising, or year-end.
- Continuity & risk:With an in-house hire you own recruitment, cover, and attrition risk; with an outsourced CS, continuity and peer review sit with the firm.
For most startups and growth-stage companies, the deciding factor is how predictable and how heavy the compliance calendar is. If you are unsure which model fits, a short scope conversation will make it clear.
Factors That Affect CS Service Pricing
- Company Stage, Seed-stage startups need basic compliance; Series B+ companies need comprehensive services
- Number of Entities, Multiple subsidiaries or group companies increase complexity
- Foreign Investment, FEMA compliance adds significant requirements
- Industry Regulations, Fintech, NBFC, and regulated industries need specialized compliance
- Filing Backlog, Companies with lapsed compliance need remediation (additional cost)
- Fundraising Activity, Active fundraising requires intensive documentation support
- Board Complexity, Number of directors, committees, and meeting frequency
- Bangalore Premium, Bengaluru rates are 10-20% higher than tier-2 cities due to demand
How to Budget for CS Services
Here's a simple formula for Bangalore startups:
- Pre-revenue startup:Budget ₹10,000-15,000/month (basic MCA + governance)
- Post-Series A:Budget ₹20,000-30,000/month (MCA + FEMA + governance)
- Post-Series B:Budget ₹35,000-50,000/month (comprehensive including audit)
- Pre-IPO:Budget ₹75,000+/month (full compliance + SEBI readiness)
Pro tip:Factor in one-time costs like fundraising support (₹25,000-75,000 per round) and secretarial audit (₹15,000-50,000 annually) on top of your monthly retainer.
How Engagements Are Structured
Rather than a fixed price list, professional work is scoped to what your company actually needs, the number of entities, your filing volume, whether foreign investment or fundraising is involved, and how much month-to-month governance support you want. Most engagements follow one of the three models above (monthly retainer, per-filing, or project-based), and the right fit depends on your stage and compliance load.
The most reliable way to understand what your specific requirement involves is a short conversation about scope. Book a consultation or reach out on WhatsApp for an estimate tailored to your company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum cost for CS services in Bangalore?
Basic MCA compliance services in Bangalore start at approximately ₹5,000 per month for very early-stage startups with straightforward filing needs. Most startups benefit from a comprehensive package starting at ₹15,000/month that includes deadline tracking, board documentation, and governance setup.
Are CS fees tax-deductible?
Yes, Company Secretary service fees are a legitimate business expense and fully tax-deductible under Section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act. This effectively reduces the net cost by your applicable tax rate (typically 25-30% for companies).
Do CS fees increase during fundraising?
Fundraising typically requires additional project-based fees (₹25,000-75,000 per round) on top of your monthly retainer. This covers data room preparation, due diligence support, cap table structuring, and post-closing compliance filings.
How do Bangalore CS fees compare to other cities?
Bangalore (Bengaluru) CS fees are typically 10-20% higher than cities like Hyderabad, Pune, or Chennai due to higher demand from the startup ecosystem. However, they're comparable to Mumbai rates. The premium is justified by access to professionals experienced with VC-backed startup compliance.
Is there a hidden cost with outsourced CS services?
At Sapna Malpani CS, we practice transparent pricing with no hidden charges. Government filing fees (paid to MCA/ROC) are billed separately at actual cost. Our service fee covers all professional work, consultation, preparation, review, and filing.
Can I switch from per-filing to monthly retainer?
Yes, you can switch pricing models at any time. Most companies start with per-filing and switch to monthly retainer once they realize the cost efficiency and convenience of ongoing compliance management.
What's included in the "free consultation"?
Our free 30-minute consultation includes a quick compliance health check for your company, assessment of your current filing status, recommendations for your specific needs, and a transparent cost estimate. No obligation, no hard sell, just honest advice about what your company needs.
About the Author: Sapna Malpani is a practicing Company Secretary in Bangalore with 8+ years of experience. She believes in transparent pricing and honest advice. Her clients include Zetwerk, Mercer, JumboTail, and 100+ other companies.
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Disclaimer: This article is published for general educational purposes and does not solicit professional work or advertise professional charges. Any figures mentioned are indicative industry ranges, not a quotation. Engagement scope and terms are agreed individually. Published in keeping with the ICSI guidelines applicable to Company Secretaries in practice.
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CS Sapna Malpani is a Practising Company Secretary in Bengaluru advising companies and startups on ROC and FEMA compliance, secretarial audit, incorporation and corporate governance. Book a consultation to discuss your specific requirement.