This guide is general information. If you would rather a chartered accountant handled it, see Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC) or Annual ROC Filing (AOC-4, MGT-7).
Every person who holds a Director Identification Number (DIN) is expected to complete KYC with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Without it, the DIN is deactivated.
Who must file
- Directors of companies who hold an approved DIN
- Designated partners and partners of LLPs holding a DIN
- Individuals who hold a DIN even if they are not currently directors
How it works
KYC is filed on the MCA portal using PAN, Aadhaar, mobile number and email. OTPs sent to the mobile and email verify the details. First-time filers use a form that needs a digital signature, and later filings may use a simpler web-based form.
Penalty
If KYC is not filed by the due date, the DIN is marked as deactivated. To reactivate it you must file the KYC form with a fee of ₹5,000.
Why it matters
A deactivated DIN prevents you from signing MCA forms or being appointed as a director. It can also block company filings that need your signature.
Check the current rule
MCA has revised the frequency and procedure of DIR-3 KYC. Check the current notification or speak to a professional before the due date.
What details are checked
- Name, date of birth and PAN, matched against the DIN record
- Residential address and proof of address
- Mobile number and email address, each verified with a one-time password
- Aadhaar details, where required by the form
Step-by-step filing
- Log in to the MCA portal and open the director KYC form.
- Confirm or update your details and verify the contact details with one-time passwords.
- Attach any documents the form requires and sign it as instructed.
- Pay any fee due and submit. Download the acknowledgement.
What if you do not know your DIN status?
You can check whether your DIN is active by looking up your DIN on the MCA portal. A deactivated DIN is shown as such. If you are a director of a company whose forms you must sign, check this at the start of the year rather than during the filing rush.
Practical points
- Keep the mobile number and email of each director separate and in use.
- Complete KYC before signing any forms that need your digital signature.
- If you are a director of several companies, one KYC covers your DIN across all of them.
- If you have resigned from all companies but still hold a DIN, check whether KYC is still required for you.
A short history of why DIN and KYC exist
India introduced the Director Identification Number so that every director could be identified by a unique number, and so that disqualified or defaulting directors could be tracked across companies. KYC was added later to make sure the data attached to each DIN is correct. Incorrect or outdated addresses and contact details make it hard for the Registrar to reach directors, which is why the filing is treated seriously and a late fee applies.
Who in the company should track it
Each director is responsible for their own KYC, but in practice the company secretary or the compliance officer tracks it. Ask every director to confirm their KYC status at the start of the compliance season. A company can be affected if a director's DIN is deactivated, because that director cannot sign filings or board resolutions that need a digital signature.
- Keep a simple table: director, DIN, last KYC date, mobile and email on record.
- Set a reminder 30 days before the due date.
- After filing, save the acknowledgement and check that the DIN status is active.
When to ask for professional help
Ask for help if a DIN is already deactivated, if a director lives abroad and cannot receive OTPs, if there are mismatches in name or date of birth with PAN or Aadhaar, or if a director has been disqualified for other reasons. Each of these needs a different approach.
What to do if you cannot receive the OTP
If the mobile number or email on record is no longer in use, the one-time password goes to the old contact and the KYC cannot be completed. In that case, update the contact details using the route the MCA provides for changing them, and then complete the KYC. Start this well before the due date, because a change of details can take extra time and the deadline does not move for it.
Official sources
The MCA portal and the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules describe the DIN and KYC requirements. Because the frequency and process have changed over the years, always read the latest MCA notice or ask a professional before the due date. Keep the acknowledgement of each filing with your director records.
Frequently asked questions
What is DIR-3 KYC web?
It is a simpler web-based form that directors who have already completed the full KYC in an earlier period can use. It needs an OTP and does not need a digital signature in many cases.
How much does it cost to restore a deactivated DIN?
A late fee of ₹5,000 is payable when filing the KYC form to reactivate the DIN, along with any applicable fees. The MCA publishes the current fee.
Does director KYC apply to a company's nominee director?
Yes. Any person who holds an approved DIN is covered, regardless of the role in the company.
Can I file KYC from outside India?
Yes, provided you can receive the OTPs on the mobile number and email you have registered. Keep these numbers active before the due date.
This content is for general information and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, rates and due dates change; confirm the current position for your case. Section references are to the Income-tax Act, 1961 unless stated; the Income-tax Act, 2025 applies to later periods with renumbered sections.