Table of Contents
- What CS Services Cost in India
- Pricing Models Explained
- Detailed Fee Breakdown by Service
- Full-Time vs Outsourced Cost Comparison
- Factors That Affect Pricing
- How to Budget for CS Services
- Our Service Packages
- 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 ₹50,000+ per month for comprehensive enterprise services. The exact cost depends on your company’s stage, complexity, and specific compliance needs.
Here’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 – ₹50,000/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: ₹2,000 – ₹15,000 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: ₹15,000 – ₹75,000 per project
Detailed Fee Breakdown by Service
MCA Annual Compliance
| Service | Starting Price | Typical Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Return (MGT-7) | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 | Preparation + filing |
| Financial Statements (AOC-4) | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 | Preparation + filing |
| Director KYC (DIR-3) | ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 | Per director |
| INC-22A (Active Status) | ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 | Address verification |
| Full Annual Package | ₹5,000/mo | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000/mo | All filings + deadline tracking |
FEMA Compliance
| Service | Starting Price | Typical Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDI Reporting (FC-GPR/FC-TRS) | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 | Per filing |
| Annual FEMA Compliance | ₹8,000/mo | ₹8,000 – ₹25,000/mo | Companies with foreign investors |
| ECB Documentation | ₹10,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 | Per ECB filing |
| RBI Liaison | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 | Per matter |
Fundraising Support
| Service | Starting Price | Typical Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Seed / Angel Round | ₹25,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 | Basic documentation + filings |
| Series A Support | ₹40,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹75,000 | Data room + due diligence + post-closing |
| Series B+ Support | ₹50,000 | ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 | Complex cap table + multi-investor |
| Cap Table Management | ₹5,000/mo | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000/mo | Ongoing maintenance + updates |
Secretarial Audit
| Company Type | Starting Price | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Startup / Private Limited | ₹15,000 | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Mid-Size Company | ₹25,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Listed Company | ₹50,000 | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
Board Meeting Compliance
| Service | Price Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Per Meeting | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 | Agenda, minutes, resolutions |
| Annual Package (4 meetings) | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 | All board + committee meetings |
Corporate Governance Setup
| Service | Price Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Framework | ₹20,000 – ₹35,000 | Policies + registers + templates |
| Comprehensive Setup | ₹35,000 – ₹60,000 | Full governance overhaul + training |
Full-Time CS vs Outsourced: Annual Cost Comparison
| Cost Component | Full-Time CS Hire | Outsourced CS (Sapna Malpani) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary/Retainer | ₹4,80,000 – ₹9,60,000/year | ₹1,20,000 – ₹3,00,000/year |
| EPF + ESI + Benefits | ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000/year | ₹0 |
| Office Space + Equipment | ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,40,000/year | ₹0 |
| Training + Certifications | ₹20,000 – ₹50,000/year | ₹0 (included) |
| Total Annual Cost | ₹7,20,000 – ₹14,50,000 | ₹1,20,000 – ₹3,00,000 |
| Monthly Equivalent | ₹60,000 – ₹1,20,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 |
Bottom line: Outsourcing saves 60-80% compared to a full-time hire, while giving you access to senior-level expertise and a broader professional network.
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.
Our Service Packages
Startup Essential — Starting at ₹10,000/month
Perfect for early-stage startups. Includes MCA compliance calendar, board documentation setup, basic governance policies, quarterly compliance review, and FEMA guidance for foreign investors.
Growth Professional — Starting at ₹25,000/month (Most Popular)
For scaling companies preparing for fundraising. Includes complete MCA compliance, corporate governance framework, FEMA compliance oversight, fundraising support (cap table + docs), monthly compliance updates, and annual secretarial audit.
Enterprise Premier — Custom Pricing (₹50,000+/month)
For mature companies with complex needs. Includes all Growth Professional services plus dedicated relationship manager, secretarial audit, advanced governance consulting, dematerialization services, priority support, and monthly strategy calls.
Get a customized quote for 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 ₹10,000/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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