Director Identification Number (DIN) Requirements Process & New Update

A Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique 8-digit identification number issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to an individual who wishes to be appointed as a director of an Indian company. It acts as a permanent identity for a director and remains valid for their entire lifetime.

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Company Directors in India: An Overview

If you are a foreign national and are thinking about expanding your business to India or are just looking for an Indian director for your Indian venture, this is the most common problem many international founders and businesspeople face when entering the Indian market. Under Indian company law, companies are required to appoint at least one director who is a resident of India, and this often becomes a key step in the setup process.

Who can be called as Director in India?

A company is an artificial legal person and cannot act on its own. It needs real people to run its business and manage its affairs. These people are called Directors.

Directors are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Company and make important decisions on behalf of the shareholders who appoint them.

Every Company must have a Board of Directors made up of individuals (not firms or companies). Here is the minimum and maximum number of directors required for public and private companies:

  • Public Company → Minimum 3 directors
  • Private Company → Minimum 2 directors
  • Maximum limit → 15 directors

 If a company wants more than 15 directors, it can do so by passing a special resolution.

Every Company must have at least one director who is a resident of India. A resident director is someone who has stayed in India for at least 182 days in a financial year.

This is why foreign founders often need an Indian resident director while setting up a company in India.

(u/s 149 of Companies Act 2013)

What is DIN and why it is important for company set up in India?

DIN refers to as Director Identification Number

Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique identification number allotted online by filing a form to an individual who intends to become a director of a company in India.

In India, every individual appointed as a director in any Indian company is mandatorily required to have a valid DIN, whether the person is an Indian resident or a foreign national. Without a DIN, a person cannot legally act as a director or be appointed to a company’s board.

Important Things to Know About DIN:

  • Every director must have a DIN
  • One person can have only one DIN for a lifetime
  • Applying for or holding more than one DIN is not allowed
  • Violation of this rule may lead to penalties and imprisonment of up to 6 months.
  • Applying for a DIN is mandatory before appointment as a director
  • DIN is allotted only after proper verification
  • A person cannot legally act as a director without a DIN

Who is required to obtain a DIN?

DIN is required for:

  • Any individual intending to be appointed as a director of a company
  • Proposed Directors at the time of incorporation of a new company

DIN for the Directors of Company VS Existing Company

Every director in a company must have a DIN. For new companies, the DIN is allotted at the time of incorporation. In the case of an existing company, if any director joins at any point of time, they are required to obtain a DIN separately by following the prescribed procedure. Let’s understand this in detail.

Aspect DIN for director of a New Company DIN for director of an Existing Company
Applicable Form SPICe+ (INC-32) E-Form DIR-3
When DIN is Applied At the time of company incorporation At the time of appointment as Director
MCA Portal MCA Portal (Integrated with incorporation) MCA Portal (Separate DIN application)
Who Can Apply Proposed first directors of the new Company Any individual proposed to be appointed as a director
Allotment of DIN DIN is allotted at the time of incorporation. DIN is allotted to a director after approval of E-form DIR-3 by MCA
Identity Proof PAN (Indian) / Passport (Foreigner) PAN mandatory for Indians; Passport for foreigners
Address Proof Required (self-attested / attested as applicable) Required (self-attested / attested as applicable)
Photograph Required Required
Attestation Requirement Self-attested (Indians) / Apostilled or Consularised (Foreigners) Self-attested (Indians) / Apostilled or Consularised (Foreigners)
Digital Signature (DSC) Required for the proposed director Required for the applicant
Professional Certification Auto-certified within SPICe+ Mandatory certification by Director of Company in which applicant intends to be appointed
Physical Submission Not required Not required
Timeline Faster (processed with incorporation) With in two working days
Risk of Provisional DIN Low Possible if duplication is detected

How You Can Apply for DIN in India (For New Companies)

Here is the step-by-step procedure to obtain a DIN for new companies. The process is completely online through the MCA portal. You must ensure that you follow the procedure in accordance with the compliance requirements of the MCA and the provisions of the Companies Act.

Step 1: Obtain your Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Step 2: Keep your documents ready (PAN/Passport, address proof, photograph)

Step 3: Provide your personal and identification details

Step 4: Your DIN application will be filed through the SPICe+ incorporation form

Step 5: Submit consent to act as director (DIR-2) and declaration (INC-9)

Step 6: Review details to ensure they match PAN/Passport records

Step 7: Digitally sign the incorporation form

Step 8: Pay the required incorporation fees

Step 9: Your DIN will be automatically allotted once the Company is incorporated

How You Can Apply for DIN in India (For Existing Companies)

To apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN) for an existing company in India, submit eForm DIR-3 on the MCA portal :

Step 1: Obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Step 2: Prepare required documents PAN card (for Indian nationals) / Passport (for foreign nationals), Address proof, Passport-size photograph

Step 3: Fill eForm DIR-3

Step 4: Attach supporting documents Upload self-attested (for indian nationals) / notarized and apostilled documents (for foreign nationals) copies of identity and address proof.

Step 5:Get professional assistance: For document submission, you may need a qualified CA or CS to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. If you are not fully familiar with the process, it is advisable to appoint a professional to avoid errors or delays.

Step 6: Pay the prescribed government fee: Pay the applicable fee online on the MCA portal.

Step 7: DIN approval: Upon successful verification by the MCA, the DIN will be approved and communicated via email

MCA Update: Mandatory DIR-3 KYC Web Filing

Date: 31 December 2025
Effective from: 31 March 2026

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has introduced important changes relating to DIR-3 KYC compliance for directors holding a Director Identification Number (DIN). These changes aim to
enhance the accuracy and periodic validation of director details in the MCA database.

Who is Covered?

Every individual holding a DIN as on 31 March of a financial year will be required to comply with the updated DIR-3 KYC filing requirements.

Key Changes Introduced

Here are the key changes introduced under the new update regarding DIN, which is effective from 31 March 2026:

1. DIR-3 KYC Web Filing Once Every Three Financial Years

With effect from 31 March 2026, every person holding a DIN must file DIR-3 KYC Web with the Central Government:

  • Frequency: Once every three consecutive financial years
  • Due date: On or before 30 June
  • Applicability: Mandatory even if there is no change in personal details

This periodic filing ensures that director information remains current and verified.

2. Mandatory Update on Change in Personal Details

Any change in the following details must be promptly reported:

  • Mobile number
  • Email ID
  • Residential address

Such changes must be updated by filing the DIR-3 KYC Web within 30 days from the date of the change.

What you need to do before 30 June?

(DIR-3 KYC Web – MCA Update Effective from 31 March 2026)

Pursuant to Section 153 and Section 154 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with Rule 12A of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, every individual holding a Director Identification Number (DIN) is required to comply with the updated DIR-3 KYC Web filing requirements.

To ensure timely compliance, the following actions must be completed on or before 30 June of the applicable financial year:

1. Check Applicability of DIR-3 KYC Web Filing

  • Verify whether your DIN falls within the three consecutive financial year cycle prescribed by MCA for DIR-3 KYC Web filing
  • If due, filing on or before 30 June is mandatory, even where no change in personal particulars has occurred
  • Legal reference: Rule 12A (1)

2. Keep Contact Details Active for OTP Verification

Ensure the following details are valid and accessible:

  • Mobile number
  • Email ID

OTP-based authentication through the registered mobile number and email ID is compulsory for DIR-3 KYC Web filing, as prescribed under MCA system requirements pursuant to Rule 12A.

3. Review and Confirm Personal Particulars

Directors should verify that the following details match MCA records:

  • Full name (as per PAN / Passport, as applicable)
  • Date of birth
  • Residential address
  • Email ID
  • Mobile number

Any change in the above particulars must be updated within 30 days of such change by filing DIR-3 KYC Web, in accordance with Rule 12A(3).

4. Coordinate With a Practicing Professional

  • Coordinate in advance with a Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS), or Cost Accountant (CMA) in practice, or other authorised professional, where required.
  • Early coordination helps avoid last-minute technical issues and the risk of DIN deactivation for non-compliance.

5. File DIR-3 KYC Web on the MCA Portal

  • Complete and submit DIR-3 KYC Web electronically on the MCA portal.
  • Ensure a successful submission and acknowledgment is generated on or before 30 June.
  • Non-filing within the due date may result in the deactivation of DIN under Rule 12A(2)

Conclusion: This MCA update marks a shift from annual KYC filing to a three -year cycle, while still requiring immediate updates for any change in key personal details. Directors and companies should take note of these timelines and ensure timely compliance from FY 2025–26 onwards

Conclusion

DIN plays a vital role in maintaining transparency, traceability, and accountability in corporate governance. Strict compliance with DIN provisions is essential for directors as well as companies to avoid legal consequences and penalties under the Companies Act, 2013.

How can Mercurius help?

At Mercurius, we assist companies and clients from over 60+ countries in fulfilling director-related requirements in India. We help with nominee director requirements, handling compliance related to DIR-3 and SPICe+, and provide end-to-end support—from company incorporation to post-incorporation compliances.

Our professionals at Mercurius manage all regulatory compliances, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free company setup journey for you.

To know more, you can contact us or book a free consultation with our experts!

For a video explanation of this article, click here.