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What are shares and shareholders?

10-Mar-2026
Corporate

Answer By law4u team

Shares and shareholders are basic concepts in company law in India and are governed by the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Shares are units of ownership in a company. The capital of a company is divided into small equal parts called shares, and each share represents a portion of ownership in the company. When a person purchases or is allotted shares, that person becomes a part owner of the company to the extent of the shares held. A shareholder is the person, company, or legal entity that owns one or more shares in a company. Shareholders are also called members of the company because their names are entered in the register of members maintained by the company. Shareholders enjoy certain rights depending on the type of shares they hold. These rights may include the right to vote in company meetings, the right to receive dividends when declared, the right to receive a share in the company assets after liquidation, and the right to transfer shares subject to legal rules and company regulations. There are different types of shares such as equity shares and preference shares. Equity shareholders generally have voting rights and participate in profits, while preference shareholders get priority in receiving dividends and repayment of capital but may have limited voting rights. Shareholders also have certain responsibilities. They must pay the amount due on shares and comply with the company’s rules as mentioned in its constitutional documents.

Answer By Anik

Dear client, Shares are the units into which the share capital of a company is divided and they represent a fractional ownership in the company. When a company needs money for business purpose, it raises money by selling shares to investors. Each share is a proportionate part of the capital in the company and it gives an individual who owns it certain rights and benefits. These may include the right to receive dividends in the event of declaration of dividends by the company; the right to vote in general meetings on important corporate decisions; and the right to share in the assets of the company in the event of winding up of the company subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Articles of Association of the company. A shareholder is a person, or group of people, institutions or legal entities, who own one or more shares in a company and whose name appears in the Register of Members, held by the company. By purchasing or subscribing to stocks, or shares, a shareholder becomes a member and part-owner of the company. Shareholders enjoy different rights like attending general meetings, casting ballots over issues facing the company, receiving dividends and transferring their shares according to the law and the regulations of the company. However, their liability is in most cases confined to the unpaid amount, if any, on the shares held by them, which means their personal assets are not liable for the debts of the company beyond this amount. If you have any query please feel free to contact us.

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