Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Memorandum of Association
I need a Memorandum of Association for a new private limited company in India, detailing the company's name, registered office address, objectives, liability of members, and share capital structure, ensuring compliance with the Companies Act, 2013.
What is a Memorandum of Association?
A Memorandum of Association acts as your company's birth certificate under Indian law. It spells out your organization's fundamental rules and powers, including its name, registered office location, business objectives, and the limits of its activities. Think of it as the foundation document that tells everyone - from investors to regulators - exactly what your company can and cannot do.
Once registered with the Registrar of Companies, this crucial document becomes public record. It governs how your company operates, raises capital, and conducts business within India's legal framework. Under the Companies Act 2013, every company must have this document before it can start operations, making it essential for both private and public companies.
When should you use a Memorandum of Association?
You need a Memorandum of Association when starting any new company in India, as it's legally required before incorporation. This document becomes especially important when expanding your business activities, seeking investment, or entering new markets - it clearly shows potential partners and investors what your company can legally do.
Many founders create their Memorandum during the pre-incorporation planning phase, working with legal experts to craft objectives that balance current plans with future growth. Having clear, well-drafted business objectives helps avoid legal complications later, particularly when pursuing new business opportunities or dealing with regulatory authorities under the Companies Act 2013.
What are the different types of Memorandum of Association?
- Memorandum Of Association Of Any Company: Standard template suitable for most business types, covering basic company structure and objectives
- Memorandum Of Association Of Real Estate Company: Specialized version with property development, management, and land acquisition clauses
- Memorandum Of Association Of Agricultural Company: Focused on farming operations, agribusiness activities, and related trading permissions
- Memorandum Of Society: Designed for non-profit organizations and societies, emphasizing charitable or social objectives
- Form Of Memorandum Of Association: Basic framework template that can be customized for various business structures
Who should typically use a Memorandum of Association?
- Company Founders: Draft and sign the Memorandum of Association during incorporation, defining their company's scope and objectives
- Company Directors: Ensure company operations stay within the boundaries set by the memorandum and oversee any amendments
- Legal Advisors: Help draft and review the document to ensure compliance with Companies Act 2013 and other relevant laws
- Shareholders: Bound by the memorandum's provisions and must approve any fundamental changes to it
- Registrar of Companies: Reviews, approves, and maintains the official record of the memorandum
- External Stakeholders: Banks, investors, and business partners rely on it to understand company powers and limitations
How do you write a Memorandum of Association?
- Company Details: Finalize your company name, registered office address, and state of incorporation
- Business Objectives: List main and ancillary business activities clearly and comprehensively
- Capital Structure: Determine authorized share capital and types of shares to be issued
- Subscriber Information: Gather details of all founding members, including their names, addresses, and signatures
- Industry Requirements: Check specific regulations for your sector under Companies Act 2013
- Digital Platform: Use our template generator to ensure all mandatory clauses are included correctly
- Review Process: Double-check all details before submission to avoid registration delays
What should be included in a Memorandum of Association?
- Name Clause: Company name with "Limited" or "Private Limited" suffix as applicable
- Registered Office: State where the company's registered office will be located
- Objects Clause: Main business objectives and ancillary activities allowed under Companies Act 2013
- Liability Clause: Extent of member liability, limited or unlimited
- Capital Clause: Authorized share capital amount and division into shares
- Association Clause: Declaration of members' intent to form the company
- Subscription Details: Names, addresses, and signatures of subscribers with share allocation
- Authentication: Witness signatures and date of execution
What's the difference between a Memorandum of Association and an Articles of Association?
The Memorandum of Association is often confused with the Articles of Association, but they serve distinct purposes under Indian company law. While both are foundational documents, they focus on different aspects of company governance.
- External vs Internal Focus: The Memorandum defines the company's relationship with the outside world and its business scope, while Articles govern internal management and member relationships
- Modification Flexibility: Articles can be altered more easily with shareholder approval, but Memorandum changes often require regulatory clearance
- Scope of Authority: The Memorandum sets absolute limits on company powers, while Articles detail how those powers are exercised
- Legal Priority: If conflicts arise, the Memorandum prevails over Articles, as it's considered the superior document
- Content Nature: Memorandum contains fundamental conditions like capital structure and objectives, while Articles cover operational rules and procedures
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
Genie’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our Trust Centre for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.