This document provides information about Director Identification Numbers (DIN) in India. It discusses: - The introduction of DIN with amendments to the Companies Act in 2006 - The relevant rules and sections of the act pertaining to DIN - The process for applying for a DIN online through eForm DIN-1 - The documentation required to apply for a DIN - Obligations of directors and companies to inform one another of DINs

1. DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Lakshminarayanan Alaguraja Advocate ALTACIT GLOBAL

2. Introduction The concept of a Director Identification Number (DIN) has been introduced for the first time with the insertion of Sections 266A to 266G of Companies (Amendment) Act, 2006. As such, all the existing and intending Directors have to obtain DIN within the prescribed time-frame as notified.

3. DIN RULES Director Identification Number Rules, 2006. Director Identification Number (amendment) Rules, 2011.

4. Section 266A – Application for allotment of Director Identification Number. Section 266B – Allotment of Director Identification Number. Section 266C – Prohibition to obtain more than one Director Identification Number. Section 266D – Obligation of director to intimate Director Identification Number to concerned company or companies. Section 266E – Obligation of company to inform Director Identification Number to Registrar. Section 266F – Obligation to indicate Director Identification Number. Section 266G – Penalty for contravention of provisions of section 266A or section 266C or section 266D or section 266E. COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2006

5. DIN - 1 Every individual intending to be appointed as director of an Indian company or the existing director who has not taken a DIN is advised to make an application for allotment of Director Identification Number (DIN). There is a fixed fee of Rs 100 for this eForm and it can only be paid through online mode (credit card/ internet banking)There shall be no requirement for physical submission of the documents at the DIN cell. All the necessary documents shall need to be scanned and attached in the eForm and submitted online.

6. INSTRUCTIONS DIN is a unique number, and is mandatory requirement for a company for filing certain eForms. This eForm shall be taken on record through electronic mode without any processing at the DIN Cell. Ensure that all particulars in the eForm are correct. However, if the contents specified in the form matches with an already filled DIN application form, then the application shall be marked as a potential duplicate and shall then be processed by DIN Cell.

7. INSTRUCTIONS No prefixes like Mr. / Ms. / Kumari / Shri etc should be used in filling the applicant’s name. However the same shall be allowed in the applicant name / father’s name in case these are as per Income tax PAN database. Enter the applicant’s name and father’s name in full and do not use abbreviations, even if the ID proof contains the name in abbreviated form. Abbreviations in the middle name may be accepted, if such abbreviated middle name is appearing in the enclosed identity proof i.e. PAN only. Also if middle name is given on the document, same should be mentioned on the application.

8. INSTRUCTIONS The particulars filled in form DIN-1 should match with the details given in the supporting documents to be submitted along with DIN application. Any mis-match will lead to rejection of DIN application. – But provision of rejection is not available in online approval cases. This is applicable in the case of potential duplicate where form is coming for verification. The e-Form DIN 1 should be digitally signed by a Chartered Accountant or a Company Secretary or a Cost Accountant in whole- time practice or Secretary (who is member of ICSI) in whole time employment of the existing company.

9. ATTACHED WITH DIN 1 High resolution photograph of the applicant Proof of identity; Proof of residence; Proof of Date of birth Proof of father’s name. Proof of father’s name is not required in the case of foreign nationals Affidavit in the case of single name as per the guidelines Copy of passport in the case of foreign nationals

10. ID PROOF CONTAIN ID proof must be currently valid and issued by the Central / State Government or Instrumentalities of state like PSUs, Public Sector Banks, Universities recognized under the UGC Act. It should contain following information: Applicant's name with photograph Father's Name Date of Birth

11. MANDATORY Income-tax Permanent Account Name (Income-tax PAN) is mandatory in case of Indian nationals and in such case applicant details should be as per Income-tax PAN. In case the details as per Income-tax PAN are incorrect, applicant is advised to first correct the details in Income-tax PAN. Refer instruction kit for details. In case of foreign nationals, Passport number is mandatory.

12. DIN - 2 On approval of DIN, intimate your DIN to all the company (ies) (within a period of 30 days from the date of approval) in which you are a Director, in form DIN-2. Form DIN-2 can be downloaded and printed from the 'DIN' link on the homepage of MCA portal.

13. DIN - 3 After the Director has intimated the DIN allotted to the company(ies). The Company(ies) is/are then required to intimate the DINs of its directors to the ROC in Form DIN-3 within a period of seven days of receiving form DIN-2.(Filing of DIN-3 is applicable only in cases, where the date of appointment of director(s) in such company(ies), is prior to September 1 , 2007).

14. DIN - 4 If there is any change in the particulars submitted in form DIN-1, applicant can submit e-form DIN-4 online. For instance in the event of change of address of a director, he/ she is required to intimate this change by submitting eform DIN-4 along with the required attested documents.