EGROOPS stands for Electronic Governance for Registration of Partnership Firms and Societies. It is an official platform for registering Societies and Partnership Firms in Kerala through online process. The rationale of developing the EGROOPS was to implement an effective registration of Partnership Firms and Societies in Kerala.
EGROOPS was developed by the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT). EGROOPS platform provides it, users, the following services:
- Registration of New Partnership Firm
- Registration of New Society
- Society Registration Status
- Firm Registration Status
- Change of Address of the firm
- Change of address of the Society
- Change of Partners
EGROOPS
Partnership firms are the second most common type of business entity in India after proprietorship. One of the most significant advantages of a partnership firm is that more than one person can invest and run the business. Further, when compared to an LLP, partnership firms are more comfortable to register, as there is no requirement for obtaining DSC or DIN or Name Approval. Partnership registration falls under the purview of State Governments while LLP registration falls under the purview of Central Government under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. (Partnership Firm vs LLP). In Kerala, registration of Partnership Firm can be completed through the EGROOPS portal.
Steps to be taken before Registration on EGROOPS
It is a preliminary requirement that the applicant seeking for the registration of a partnership firm through EGROOPS must verify the proposed name. When the name proposed is similar or identical to an existing firm, LLP or company name or trademark, it would not get accepted. (The name proposed shouldn’t be similar or identical to an existing firm name or LLP name or company name or trademark ).
Registering a partnership firm with a similar or identical name could lead to legal hassles in the future. Hence, it is advisable to do a name availability check and trademark search before seeking for registration. So basically, there are two important steps:
- Do a Company Name Availability Check
- Do a Trademark Search
As matter of priority, we want to elaborate on the point that one should select and acceptable name for their Partnership Firm. These following rules should be considered while selecting the name for their firm:
- The name of the firm should not be excessively similar, identical or comparative. If similar, it will be difficult to differentiate from the existing firm (with the identical or comparative name) doing comparable business. This check is important to avoid any confusion. The rationale behind this is that the goodwill of the firm might be damaged or harmed, if another firm could get a similar name.
- As per the provisions contained under section 58(3) of Indian Partnership Act, 1932, the name of a partnership firm should not contain words such as Empress, Empire, Crown, Emperor or words inferring or communicating the endorse, endorsement or support of Government with the exception of when the State Government gives its assent for the use of such words as a component of the firm name.
FAQs
Partnership Firm Registration Procedure?
Step 1: Log on to the home page of EGROOPS.
Step 2: The next step is to click on “New firm registration” button as shown on the right side of the EGROOPS homepage and fill in the required details.
Step 3: Once the data feeding is complete, click on the submit button provided at end of the form. After you click on the submit button, you will get a number and password generated by the system on your screen. The same number and password will also be sent to the mobile and email address provided by you while feeding in the data.
Step 4: Now, you need to login to the EGROOPS portal (by using the username and password provided in the 3rd step). Once you are logged in, you will be able to launch the application which is required for registration of partnership firm. After the application is launched, click on the link provided in the centre of the screen for the registration of new partnership firm.
Step 5: Here you need to provide the proposed name for the partnership firm and the address.
Step 6: Now you will need to provide the details of the partners and upload all the supporting documents required. The EGROOPS platform can accept four categories of partners, namely –
- Normal partner
- Power of attorney holder
- Minor partner and
- Company.
Step 7: After all Partners are added, fill the details of other branches of the firm (if any) by clicking on “Add Business Place” button.
Step 8: On the successful updation of the partner and place of business information along with the requisite documents, you can pay online registration charges for the registration of partnership firm. The payment can be made online and offline too, through:
- Money order
- Cash payment
- e-Payment
Step 9: After payment is made, you will get a message confirming the payment and a reference number for future reference. The same will be sent to your registered mobile number and email address. Once this is done, the applicant is required to get the application attested from an attesting officer who could be any Gazetted officer, a practising Advocate, an Income-Tax officer, Honorary Magistrate or a practising Chartered Accountant.
Step 10: When the registration is successful, you can print the acknowledgement by clicking on “Print Acknowledgement”. From the same place, it is possible to view and download the PDF form for firm registration certificate.
FAQs
Acceptable Name for Partnership Firm?
- The names must not be excessively comparative or indistinguishable, making it impossible to the name of another current firm doing comparable business; this is important to avoid confusion. The fundamental explanation for this rule is that the goodwill or notoriety of the firm might be harmed if another firm could receive a partnered name.
- As per Section 58(3) of Indian Partnership Act, 1932, the name of a firm should not contain words like Crown, Emperor, Empress, Empire or words communicating or inferring the endorse, endorsement or support of Government except for when the State Government connotes its assent in composing for the use of such words as a component of the firm name.
Before registration of a partnership firm through EGROOPS?
Before registration of a partnership firm through EGROOPS, it is recommended that the applicant verifies that the proposed name is not similar or identical to an existing company name or LLP name or trademark. Though a partnership firm could be registered with the same name, it could lead to legal hassles in the future. Hence, it is best to do a quick name availability check and trademark search.
- Do a Company Name Availability Check
- Do a Trademark Search