What is DIN? –

A DIN, a unique identification number, is given to a person who is appointed as a director of a company in accordance with Sections 153 and 154 of the Companies Act of 2013.

Meaning of Director Identification Number (DIN)

It is a special, eight-digit identifying number that is valid for life. Director data is entered into a database using DIN.

Since a DIN is specific to an individual, even if he serves as a director for more than one company, he only needs to obtain one DIN. The same DIN would work at both companies if he left one and joined another.

Usage of DIN

The director signing the return, application, or other company-related material must put his DIN below his signature every time it is filed in accordance with any law.

DIN Application Procedure and Relevant Forms

• SPICe Form: Only the SPICe form may be used to submit a request for the allocation of DINs to the proposed first Directors of a new company.

• DIR-3 Form: Any individual who intends to become a director of an established business must submit an application for DIN using eForm DIR-3.

• DIR-6 Form: Any changes in the particulars of the directors shall be filed in form DIR-6.

To apply for DIN, the above forms are to be filed electronically. It has to be digitally signed and then uploaded to the MCA21 portal. 

Documents to be Attached With the Forms

For SPICe Form

Include confirmation of identification and proof of residence. A DIN would be assigned to an applicant only following form approval.

For Form DIR-3

a. Attachments:

• Photograph
• Identity proof
• Residence proof
• Verification (Name, father’s name, present address, date of birth, text of declaration and physical signature of the applicant)
• In the case of foreign nationals, they are required to submit their passport as identity proof.

b. Documents to be attested by a CA or CS or CMA:

Photograph, evidence of identification, and proof of domicile must be confirmed by a full-time practising Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, or Cost Accountant.

For foreign nationals, the Consulate of the Indian Embassy and a Foreign Public Notary may confirm their papers.

After uploading DIR-3 and any supporting papers, the applicant will be prompted to pay the amount on the subsequent window screen. It must be paid using a net banking account, credit card, or NEFT. Manual payment (offline) is not permitted.

c. Generation of DIN:

After payment of the application fee and submission of the application, the system will create an application number. The federal government will evaluate the application and decide on its acceptance or denial.

If the DIN application is granted, the applicant will get the DIN within one month.

If the DIN application is denied, the reason for rejection will be sent to the applicant and posted on the website. The applicant will have 15 days to address the issue. If he rectifies these issues and is able to convince the central government, he will be issued a DIN; otherwise, the central government will label his application VOID.

d. Informing the Firm of the DIN:

Within one month of obtaining his DIN from the federal government, the director must inform all firms where he serves as a director of his DIN.

The firm will notify RoC of the DIN within 15 days of the day the director informs the company of his DIN.

Failure on the part of either the director or the corporation to provide RoC with DIN information may result in sanctions.

Form DIR-6

Form DIR-6 must be completed online in order to modify any information included in the DIR-3 form/ SPICe with regard to Directors. In addition to the form, the certified supporting document must be supplied.

Reasons for Surrendering or Cancelling the DIN

The Central Government may cancel the DIN due to the following reasons:

• If a duplicate DIN has been issued to the director
• DIN was obtained by fraudulent means
• On the death of the concerned person
• The person has been declared unsound mind by the court
• The person has been adjudicated as insolvent

Form DIR-5 may also be used to return the DIN. Along with the form, he must provide a statement that he has never been appointed as a company director and that he has never used the aforementioned DIN to file any documents with any authority. The DIN will be deactivated after the central government verifies the electronic records.

Note that, as per the Companies Act of 2013, if a person is appointed as a director in any business, he cannot surrender his DIN in the future. Even if he is no longer a director of that firm or any other company, his DIN will continue to exist.

All Forms Related to DIN Apart From Form SPICe