Following are the types of companies:

(A) On the basis of Incorporation:

• Statutory Company: Statutory companies are incorporated by Special Act. Such Act is passed in Central or State legislation.
• E.g. Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, Unit Trust of India, Life Insurance Corporation, etc.
• Registered Company: Such companies are formed under the Companies Act, 2013 or any previous company law.

(B) On the basis of Number of Members:

(i) Private Company: It is a company having minimum paid-up capital as prescribed by its Articles. Such companies restrict the rights of their members to transfer their shares and also restrict the maximum number of its members up to 200. Such companies are also prohibited to invite the public to subscribe to their securities or deposits.

(ii) Public Company: It is a company having a minimum paid-up share capital as prescribed by its Articles. Such companies do not restrict the rights of their members to transfer their shares. It requires minimum of 7 members to form a company and there is no limit on the maximum number of members. Such companies can invite the public to subscribe for its securities or deposits.

(iii) One Person Company: It is a company, in which one person is a member. Such a company is managed by a single person, having limited liability. It should follow the rules of a private company. It may have one or more directors.

(C) One the basis of Liability of Members:

(i) Companies Limited by Shares: Such companies are formed as per Section 2(22) of the Companies Act, 2013. Such companies have to share capital and its members have limited liabilities up to unpaid part of the face value of shares held by them. At the time of winding up of the company, the personal property of shareholders is not used.

(ii) Company Limited by Guarantee: As per Section 2(21) of Companies Act, 2013 such companies may or may not have share capital.

Every Member promises to pay a specific amount for liabilities and debts of the company on liquidation. Such amount is mentioned in the Memorandum of Association. Members give guarantees and they carry a specific amount of liability. Generally, such companies work for the promotion of sports, art, culture, charity, etc.

(iii) Unlimited Liability Companies: As per Section 2(92) of the Company Act, 2013 such companies have members with unlimited liability. Members are fully liable to liabilities and debts of the company. It may be a private, public, or one-person company.

(D) On the basis of Control:

(i) Holding Company: A company holding more than half of the share capital of another company is called a Holding Company. This company has the power to appoint directors of another company and remove directors of another company.

(ii) Subsidiary Company: The company which is controlled by a holding company is called a Subsidiary Company.