No, a Common Seal is not legally mandatory for Companies in India since the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015 made it optional. Before that, every Company was legally required to have one.
So why do most new Companies still get a stamp?
Even though the law dropped the requirement, banks, vendors, and government offices still routinely ask for a Company stamp on documents — cheques, contracts, invoices, and letters. In practice, a DIRECTOR stamp, Authorised Signatory stamp, and Round Company Seal stamp cover almost every situation a Common Seal used to.
What newly registered Companies typically order
- A Director or Designated Partner stamp — for signing official documents
- An Authorised Signatory stamp — for approvals and correspondence
- A Round Company Seal stamp — for general official use
This set of 3 Stamps is usually enough for day-to-day operations, especially in the window between Company registration and opening a bank account.
Do I need a Common Seal too?
Only if your Articles of Association (AOA) specifically require one, or if a particular contract or authority asks for it by name. Most PVT. LTD., LLP, and OPC Companies do not need one for routine use.
For more on entity-specific stamp requirements, see our PVT. LTD., LLP, and OPC pages.