India expansion strategy
Expand Confidently. Thrive in India.
A tailored Indian market entry strategy helps international companies navigate foreign investment rules, central and state regulations, GST and the new labour codes, set up operations quickly and scale across one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets. From your first market assessment to your first Indian hire, we and our India partners are with you at every step.
Incorporation of an Indian subsidiary (usually a private limited company) through the MCA’s SPICe+ form, typically within one to three weeks once documents are ready, or setting up a liaison, branch or project office. This includes registered office, a resident director, and reporting your investment to the Reserve Bank of India.
PAN and TAN with incorporation, GST registration (₹40 lakh threshold for goods and ₹20 lakh for services, or earlier for inter-state and online sales), withholding tax (TDS), corporate tax under the Income-tax Act 2025, and on-time annual filings with the Registrar of Companies and the tax authorities.
Compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and its 2025 Rules, which are being phased in, with core obligations applying from 13 May 2027: privacy notices and consent, security safeguards, breach reporting, cross-border transfers and data processing agreements.
Employment contracts and policies under the four labour codes in force since 21 November 2025, state minimum wages, provident fund (EPF), employees’ state insurance (ESI), gratuity, shops and establishments registration, and a POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) committee.
Foreign investment caps and approval routes by sector, and licences from Indian regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India and SEBI for financial services, CDSCO for medicines and medical devices, FSSAI for food, BIS for product certification, and the Department of Telecommunications. Investors from countries sharing a land border with India need Government approval.
Help opening an Indian bank account, receiving foreign investment and making FEMA-compliant payments and repatriation of profits.
Bookkeeping, statutory audit (required for all companies), Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) where applicable, GST and TDS returns, and transfer pricing documentation for transactions with your parent company.
Access to India’s incentives, including Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for manufacturing, state investment incentives, tax benefits for units in GIFT City’s International Financial Services Centre, and startup tax benefits for DPIIT-recognised companies. Eligibility depends on sector, location and scheme conditions.
Why STC
18+ years guiding international businesses into new markets, including India
We have helped startups, SMEs and established companies enter new markets, covering incorporation, compliance, banking and ongoing advice. For India, we combine our cross-border experience with trusted local Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary and legal partners, so you get senior advice and on-the-ground execution.
- FDI, FEMA and Indian regulatory expertise
- Sector-specific advisory
- End-to-end execution, from strategy to first hire
Mitigation Summary
Risk
How We Help You Mitigate
Regulatory complexity across central and state rules
Map central and state requirements for your sector and locations early; monitor changes (such as the new Income-tax Act and labour codes); work with local advisers.
Competitive intensity and price sensitivity
Localise your offering and pricing for Indian customers; focus on a clear niche; partner with established Indian distributors or companies.
Talent acquisition and retention
Offer competitive pay and career paths, build a strong employer brand and plan for attrition in high-demand fields such as technology.
Customer acquisition cost above forecast
Test pricing and channels in a few cities or states before scaling nationally, and refine your go-to-market based on results.
Currency and repatriation risk
Manage INR volatility with hedging and pricing; plan how you will repatriate profits (dividends, royalties, service fees) in line with FEMA and tax rules.
Regulatory Non-Compliance
Set up a compliance calendar for MCA, RBI, GST, TDS and labour filings, appoint a responsible person, and use local professionals for certified filings.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general consultancy information about doing business in India. It is not legal, tax, financial or regulatory advice. Indian rules vary by sector and state and change frequently, so please seek qualified professional advice before making decisions.
Why Choose Us
Industry Expertise
Market entry plans built around your goals, your sector and the Indian states you are targeting.
Tailored Solutions
Market entry plans built around your goals, your sector and Hungarian market conditions.
Global Investor Network
Investors, lenders and partners in India, the UK, Ireland, the EU and beyond.
End-to-End Support
From market assessment through company setup, hiring and scaling across India.
Trusted by Businesses Across Three Continents
From startups to multinationals, we have helped clients in the UK, Ireland, the EU, India, North America and beyond set up, expand and stay compliant.
- 18+ Years Experience
- 30+ Satisfied Clients
- 25+ Expert Team
- 4 International offices
- Glasgow
- London
- Dublin
- Budapest
Average Rating
4.9
(30+) Customer reviews
Key Questions
It depends on your business model, sector and goals. Many companies start with a market entry strategy, then set up a wholly owned subsidiary (private limited company), open a bank account, report the investment to the RBI and register for GST. Others begin with a liaison office, a distributor, or an employer of record before committing to a full subsidiary.
Usually one to three weeks once documents are ready, using the online SPICe+ process. Foreign founders should allow extra time for notarised or apostilled documents, and sectors needing Government approval for foreign investment take longer.
Yes. You need one to receive foreign investment, pay taxes and salaries and receive payments. It is also the channel for reporting your investment to the RBI and, later, repatriating profits.
Every company receives a PAN and TAN on incorporation. GST registration is required once turnover passes ₹40 lakh for goods or ₹20 lakh for services, and immediately for inter-state or online sales. You must also deduct and deposit TDS on many payments, and register for provident fund and state insurance when you hire.
Every Indian company must keep books, have a statutory audit, file its financial statements and annual return with the Registrar of Companies, file income tax and tax audit reports where required, and file GST and TDS returns. Foreign-owned companies also file an annual FLA return with the RBI and transfer pricing documentation.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 applies to processing of digital personal data in India, and to processing abroad when offering goods or services to people in India. Its main obligations (notice and consent, security, breach reporting and individual rights) apply from 13 May 2027, so now is the time to prepare. If you also serve EU customers, GDPR continues to apply.
The four labour codes, in force since 21 November 2025, now govern wages, social security, industrial relations and workplace safety. You need written appointment letters, at least the applicable state minimum wage, provident fund and state insurance contributions, gratuity, a POSH committee, and state shops and establishments registration. The definition of wages has changed, which can increase contribution costs.
Some sectors do, for example RBI or SEBI approvals for financial services, CDSCO approval for medicines and medical devices, FSSAI licences for food, BIS certification for certain products, and telecom licences. Foreign investment in some sectors has caps or needs Government approval, and investors from countries sharing a land border with India always need approval.
Regulatory complexity, competition and price sensitivity, talent retention, customer acquisition costs, currency and repatriation risk, and non-compliance. See the risk table above for how to manage each.
A consultancy with Indian partners helps you move faster and avoid costly setup mistakes, with one point of contact for structure, FDI, tax, compliance, banking, hiring and go-to-market planning.
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