What is Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC)?
DIR-3 KYC is the Know Your Customer filing that every person holding a Director Identification Number (DIN) must complete with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It confirms your identity, address, mobile and email through OTP verification. If it is not filed, the DIN is marked as deactivated.
Who needs it
- Every director of a company who holds an allotted DIN.
- Designated partners of an LLP holding a DIN.
- Persons who have a DIN but are not currently directors, where the rules apply.
- Directors whose DIN shows as deactivated for non-filing.
Benefits
- DIN remains active so the director can sign forms and be appointed.
- Avoids the late fee and the delay of reactivation.
- Contact details on the MCA portal stay up to date.
- Prevents problems at the time of annual ROC filing.
Why director KYC exists
A Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique number allotted to a person who is, or wants to become, a director. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) asks every DIN holder to confirm identity and contact details through KYC so that its records are accurate. If the KYC is not completed on time, the DIN is deactivated and the person cannot sign MCA forms or be appointed as a director until it is restored.
How KYC is filed, step by step
The filing is personal to the director rather than to the company, and is completed on the MCA portal in a single session.
- Log in to the MCA portal with the director's credentials.
- Open the director KYC form and check the details shown against your PAN, Aadhaar and address proof.
- Enter or confirm the mobile number and email address. Each director needs a separate pair; they cannot be shared with another director.
- Verify both with the one-time passwords sent to them.
- Attach documents where the form asks for them and sign with a digital signature, where required.
- Pay any fee due, submit, and download the acknowledgement.
A simpler web-based version of the form is generally available for directors who have already completed KYC in an earlier period. We check which route applies to you before filing.
If your DIN has been deactivated
A deactivated DIN is reactivated by filing the KYC form with the late fee; there is no separate restoration application.
- File the KYC form with the late fee of ₹5,000.
- Wait for the form to be processed; the DIN is then reactivated.
- Check the DIN status on the portal before signing any forms or board resolutions.
- If the company has pending filings that need your signature, complete the KYC first, then the filings.
Special situations
Four situations are commonly misunderstood, particularly by directors holding several directorships or living abroad.
- Director of many companies: one KYC covers the person's DIN, not each company.
- Director living abroad: OTP verification works on an Indian mobile number and email, so keep them active; if you only have a foreign number, tell us before the due date.
- Resigned or inactive directors: a person who still holds a DIN may need to file KYC even after leaving all boards.
- Disqualified directors: KYC is separate from disqualification. Completing it does not remove a disqualification.
Keep contact details current
The MCA sends one-time passwords and notices to the mobile number and email on record. If you change either, update them through the proper form, so that you do not miss a verification message at the last moment.
Example: a director with three companies
A person is a director in three private companies. The person completes KYC once for their DIN, not three times. After it is done, the DIN stays active for all three companies. If the person misses the due date, the DIN is deactivated for all three companies at once, and the person cannot sign filings for any of them until the KYC is completed with the late fee. For this reason, it is wise to complete the KYC early.
Information to have ready
Have these to hand before opening the form, because the one-time passwords expire while you look for them.
- PAN and Aadhaar
- Mobile number and email address that only that director uses
- DIN and the names of companies where the person is a director
- Digital signature, where the form needs it
Official sources and next steps
The MCA portal and the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules describe the director KYC form, its fees and due dates. Because the process has been revised, read the latest notice before you file. If your DIN is already deactivated or your details do not match your PAN or Aadhaar, tell us before you begin, so the right form is used the first time.
Documents required
- 01PAN and Aadhaar of the director
- 02Passport-size photograph and proof of address, as needed
- 03Mobile number and email id for OTP verification
- 04Digital signature, where the form requires it
- 05DIN details
Due dates and penalties
| Item | Due date | If missed |
|---|---|---|
| DIR-3 KYC | As per the MCA rules in force; historically 30 September each year | Late fee of ₹5,000 and DIN marked as deactivated |
MCA has changed the frequency and procedure of KYC. We confirm the current requirement before filing.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the KYC is not needed because the company is inactive.
- Using a mobile number or email shared with another director.
- Missing OTP messages on an old phone number.
- Not checking DIN status before signing forms.
- Ignoring the late fee until after the DIN is deactivated.
Why PHMG
- Partner-led: a chartered accountant reviews your work, not only a junior team.
- Clear fee and scope in writing before we start.
- Deadlines tracked for you, with reminders well before the due date.
- Your documents and data are handled confidentially.
- Online service across India, with a single point of contact.
Fees depend on your case. Request a quote for a clear scope and fee.