The MOA (memorandum of association) is a company's charter under Section 4 of the Companies Act 2013: six clauses giving its name, registered office, objects, liability, capital and subscribers. The AOA (articles of association) under Section 5 is its internal rulebook: how shares are issued and transferred, how directors are appointed and how meetings run, with model articles in Schedule I (Table F for a company limited by shares). The AOA cannot go beyond the MOA, and it is the easier of the two to change. When you incorporate through SPICe+, both are filed online as the e-MOA (INC-33) and e-AOA (INC-34).
A 2026 map of every MCA form a private company meets, from name reservation (RUN) and SPICe+ incorporation with e-MOA and e-AOA to share allotment and capital changes.
The difference between the two capitals in plain words, and the point most founders miss: registration fees and stamp duty are set by authorised capital, while there has been no minimum paid-up capital since the Companies (Amendment) Act 2015.
A founder-focused guide to authorised capital under Section 2(8) and how to raise it before a funding round: the resolution under Section 61, Form SH-7 within 30 days, and the fee and state stamp duty that follow.
