Director Identification Number (DIN)

What is Director Identification Number (DIN) ?

Director Identification Number (DIN) is an 8-digit unique identification number allotted by the Central Government to an individual intending to be appointed as a Director of a company.

DIN has lifetime validity and serves as a permanent identification of a director. It enables the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to maintain a centralized database of all directors and their corporate associations.

DIN is person-specific. Therefore, even if an individual is appointed as a director in multiple companies, only one DIN is required. The same DIN remains valid even if the director resigns from one company and joins another.

Usage of DIN

DIN must be quoted by the director in all filings and communications made under company law, including:

• Returns filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC)
• Applications and statutory forms
• Company information or documents
• Any filings requiring director authentication

DIN is mentioned underneath the director’s signature in such documents.

DIN KYC Compliance

DIN KYC Compliance is a mandatory annual filing required by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) for all Director Identification Number (DIN) holders to keep their DIN active.

Applicability: Applies to all directors holding DIN as on 31st March of the financial year.

Due Date: On or before 30th September every year.

Modes of Filing:

• DIR-3 KYC - For first-time filing or changes in details
• DIR-3 KYC Web - For confirmation where no changes exist

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

• Deactivation of DIN
• Inability to file MCA forms
• Late fees for reactivation

DIN Application Procedure & Relevant Forms

Applications and modifications relating to DIN are filed electronically on the MCA21 Portal using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

a. SPICe Form (INC-32)

Used for allotment of DIN to proposed first directors at the time of incorporation of a new company.

b. Form DIR-3

Any individual intending to become a director in an existing company must apply for DIN through eForm DIR-3.

c. Form DIR-6

Filed for making changes or corrections in director particulars already submitted (e.g., name, address, etc.).

Fee Payment & Processing

• Fees must be paid online (Net Banking / Credit Card / NEFT).
• Offline payment is not permitted.
• An application number is generated upon submission.

The Central Government processes the application and communicates approval or rejection.

• If approved → DIN is allotted (generally within 1 month).
• If rejected → Reasons are communicated; 15 days are given for rectification.

Intimation of DIN

After allotment:

• The director must intimate DIN to all companies within 1 month.
• The company must inform RoC within 15 days of such intimation.

Non-compliance attracts statutory penalties.

Modification of DIN Particulars (DIR-6)

Any change in director details (name, address, etc.) must be filed through Form DIR-6 along with supporting attested documents.

Surrender / Cancellation of DIN

The Central Government may cancel DIN in the following cases:

• Duplicate DIN issued
• DIN obtained fraudulently
• Death of the holder
• Person declared of unsound mind by court
• Person adjudicated insolvent

1. Voluntary Surrender (DIR-5)

A director may apply for surrender of DIN through Form DIR-5, declaring that:

• He has never been appointed as director, and
• DIN has never been used in any filing.

Upon verification, the DIN may be deactivated.

Important: 
Once a person has been appointed as director under the Companies Act, 2013, DIN cannot be surrendered, even if he ceases to hold directorship in future.

---