# When Does a Name 'Resemble' Another?

This is a high-frequency MCQ topic. The rules specify eleven situations where two names are deemed to resemble each other (i.e., the second name cannot be allotted).

## The 11 Rules

### Rule (a) - Plural / Singular

Difference of plural or singular form alone makes names identical.

Green Technology Ltd = Greens Technology Ltd = Greens Technologies Ltd

### Rule (b) - Letter Case, Spacing, Punctuation

ABC Ltd = A.B.C. Ltd = A B C Ltd

### Rule (c) - Different Tenses

Ascend Solutions Ltd = Ascended Solutions Ltd = Ascending Solutions Ltd

### Rule (d) - Slight Spelling Variation / Grammatical Variation

Disc Solutions Ltd = Disk Solutions Ltd
BUT Disc Solutions Ltd ≠ Disco Solutions Ltd (different word entirely)

### Rule (e) - Phonetic / Misspelled Variants

Bee Kay Ltd = BK Ltd = Be Kay Ltd = B Kay Ltd = Bee K Ltd = B.K. Ltd = Beee Kay Ltd

### Rule (f) - Translation / Transliteration (complete only)

National Electricity Corporation Ltd = Rashtriya Vidyut Nigam Ltd
(Partial translation does NOT make names resembling.)

### Rule (g) - Host Name / Domain Extension

Ultra Solutions Ltd = Ultrasolutions.com Ltd
BUT Supreme Ultra Solutions Ltd ≠ Ultrasolutions.com Ltd (extra word breaks resemblance)

### Rule (h) - Different Order of Words

Ravi Builders and Contractors Ltd = Ravi Contractors and Builders Ltd

### Rule (i) - Definite / Indefinite Article

Congenial Tours Ltd = A Congenial Tours Ltd = The Congenial Tours Ltd
BUT Isha Industries Ltd ≠ Anisha Industries Ltd (different word, not just article)

### Rule (j) - Addition of Place Name

Salvage Technologies Ltd = Salvage Technologies Delhi Ltd
BUT Retro Pharmaceuticals Ranchi Ltd ≠ Retro Pharmaceuticals Chennai Ltd (both have places — different places = different names)

### Rule (k) - Addition / Modification of Numerals

Thunder Services Ltd = Thunder 11 Services Ltd = One Thunder Services Ltd
(Unless the numeral denotes a recognised brand.)

## Reference

Students may also refer to Rule 8A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 for 23 specific instances of 'undesirable names'.

## Quick Memory Hooks

Plural/Singular, Case, Tense, Spelling = Trivial textual changes are NOT enough.
Translation only counts if COMPLETE.
Adding a place to a no-place name = same. Two place names = different.
Numerals don't help (unless brand).

Worked example

### Example 1

Example: Proposed name 'XYZ Builders and Contractors Pvt Ltd'. Existing name 'XYZ Contractors and Builders Pvt Ltd'. Under Rule (h), these are deemed identical — name will be rejected.

### Example 2

Example: Proposed name 'Surya Industries Mumbai Ltd' vs existing 'Surya Industries Kolkata Ltd'. Both have place names — different places mean different names. Proposed name is allowed.

### Example 3

Example: Proposed name 'Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited' is not allowed if 'Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd' exists — abbreviation 'Limited' vs 'Ltd' is the same.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

Believing that adding numerals always makes the name unique — false; numerals don't help unless they represent a recognised brand.
Thinking that translation (e.g., Hindi version) is allowed — only PARTIAL translations are allowed; complete translations are deemed identical.
Forgetting Rule (j)'s twist — adding a place to a place-less name is resemblance, but two different place names are NOT resemblance.

Bare-Act text Rule 8 and Rule 8A · Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 · click to expand

Rule 8 of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 provides the criteria for determining when a proposed name is considered to resemble too nearly with the name of an existing company. Additionally, Rule 8A specifies undesirable names that cannot be allowed.

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Name Resemblance Rules (Rule 8 of Companies (Incorporation) Rules)

Worked example

⚠️ Common exam mistakes