January 9, 2020
5 min read
Read our detailed guide on what is a DIN Number, how to apply for a DIN number for directors and the documents required to obtain a DIN.
Anant Jha
Consultant, Gurgaon
A company registered in India needs managers and directors to run its affairs since it does not have a physical presence of its own. Directors of a company are responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of a company and take decisions on its behalf. Directors are like the representatives of the company who are allowed to make internal and external changes in the company that directly affect the shareholders. However, for an individual to become a director of a company in India, he/she is required to obtain the DIN Number i.e. the Directors Identification Number as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Here’s a detailed guide on what is a DIN Number, how to apply for a DIN number for directors and how SeekWiser’s business registration consultants can help you in obtaining a DIN.
DIN number or Directors Identification Number is a unique identification number provided by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to an individual who intends to be a director of a company in India.
DIN number or Directors Identification Number of a director is a unique 8-digit number is a unique number which allows a person to legally act as a Director of a company. The DIN number is granted only one time to a person and an individual acting as the Director of multiple companies does not require to obtain multiple DINs to act as a director in those companies.
Once the DIN number is given to a Director, it does not require any reactivation or renewal and has lifetime validity. However, the MCA may cancel, deactivate or get the DIN number surrendered if the Director or the company is in violation of any of the laws or, its guidelines or notifications.
A DIN number is required to legally identify a person as a director of a company in India. Any form of communications with the MCA/ROC from the company such annual returns, ROC filings, applications or KYC information related to the company is submitted with the signature of the Director(s) along with their DIN number.
Non-compliance with this can result in penalties and fines from the ROC and the Director can also lose their DIN number. It is advised that the directors/company consult a good business registration consultant in India to know more about DIN and the what to do in case any such penalty is imposed for not obtaining the DIN number of the director.
Section 153 of the Companies Act, 2013 read along with Rule 9 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Director) Rules 2014 provides for the provision for applying for allotment of DIN. The following steps can be followed to apply for a DIN number in India:
In the case of new companies, first Directors can apply for a DIN number only through the SPICe Form. A business consultant in India can help you with the process of applying for a DIN number.
In the case of already existing companies, the Directors can apply for a DIN number only through the DIR-3 Form. Call us at 8010880066 to talk to our expert business consultants to get help with filing the DIN number application.
Once the right application is filed, the prescribed fee is to be paid along with the application and the requisite documents are to be attached to proof the identity and other details of the Director.
ALSO READ: Company Registration Process In India
The director of a company must have a Digital Signature Certificate before applying for the DIN number. Consulting a business consultant in India can help in understanding the process of applying for a DSC and then filing an application to obtain a DIN number. Call us at 8010880066 to talk to our expert business consultants to get help with obtaining a DCS.
The proof of address is mandatory to apply for a DIN number of a director. The following documents can be considered as proof of address:
Passport
Driving License
Voters ID Card
Provident Fund Statement
Bank Statement attested by the banker
School Leaving Certificate
SSC / HSC / Graduation / Post-graduation Degree Certificate
Birth Certificate
Electricity Bill
Telephone / Mobile Bill
Gas Bill
Water Bill
Property Tax Receipt
The proof of Identity of the Director is also required to apply for a DIN number. The following Identity Proofs can be used:
PAN Card for Indian Residents.
Passport for NRIs and Foreign National
The documents attached with the application for DIN number must be attested by a Chartered Accountant or a Company Secretary or a Cost Accountant, in whole-time practice. In the case of foreign nationals, the documents must be attested by Consulate of the Indian Embassy and Foreign Public Notary. Consult a business consultant in India to know more about how you can get these documents attested by a CA or CS easily. Call us at 8010880066.
Once the application and documents for the DIN number are submitted, the MCA is required to process the application within 1 month of receiving it. The MCA can either approve the application or reject it, and in case of rejection, the reason for the same is communicated to the applicant.
When the DIN number application is approved, the 8-digit DIN number is allotted by the MCA within 1 month.
The MCA has the power to cancel the DIN number of a director in any of the following cases:
Duplicate DIN number has been issued to the director.
DIN number was obtained by fraudulent means.
The concerned person has passed away.
The director has been declared unsound of mind by the court.
The director has been declared insolvent.
In case the MCA has cancelled your DIN number, you need to immediately consult a good business consultant to know about the next action to take. Call us at 8010880066 to talk to our expert business consultants in India to get help with your cancellation of DIN number.
The director can surrender the DIN in Form DIR-5 with a declaration that he has never been appointed as a director in the company and the DIN number has never been used for filing any document with any authority. Upon verifying the records, the MCA will deactivate the DIN number.
The DIN number is the only proof of identifying the Directors of a company. It is important to carefully apply for a DIN number so as to make sure that the application is not rejected by the MCA for any errors or omissions. To get the best help for applying for a DIN number in India, you can call SeekWiser’s business consultants at 8010880066.
Read our comprehensive yet simple online resources and guides on startups, technology, finances and entrepreneurship.
© 2020 SeekWiser. All rights reserved.