The Companies Act 2013 defines an 'independent director' and outlines criteria for their appointment, including lack of financial ties to the company and specific qualifications. Independent directors play a critical role in corporate governance, with their appointment details required to be formally disclosed. They serve a maximum of two consecutive terms of five years, and their removal or resignation processes are also regulated to protect their interests.

1. INDEPENDENT
DIRECTOR
9/3/2014
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2. DEFINITION
9/3/2014
• The Companies Act, 2013, for the first time, defines an “independent
director”.
• As per Section 2(47), “independent director” means an independent direct or referred to
in sub- section (5) of section 149, an independent director can only be a person:
• who is not a managing director, whole-time director, or a nominee director;
• who is not or was not a promoter of the company or its holding, subsidiary, or
associate company;
• who is not related to the promoters or the directors of the company, its holding,
subsidiary, or associate company; and
• who has or had No Pecuniary Relationship with the company
• None of whose relatives has or had pecuniary relationship or transaction with the company
• Who is above 21 years of age.
• Who shall Possess appropriate skills, experience and knowledge in one or more
fields of finance, law, management, sales, marketing, administration, research, corporate
governance, technical operations or other disciplines related to the company’s business. -
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3. COMPOSITION NUMBER OF
INDEPENDENT
DIRECTOR
As per the
Companies Act,
2013
LISTED PUBLIC
COMPANIES
ATLEAST 1/3RD
OF TOTAL
DIRECTORS
UNLISTED
PUBLIC
COMPANIES
ATLEAST 2
DIRECTORS
As per clause 49
of Listing
Agreement
WHERE
CHAIRMAN IS
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
ATLEAST HALF
OF TOTAL
DIRECTORS
WHERE
CHAIRMAN IS
NON-EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
ATLEAST 1/3RD
OF TOTAL
DIRECTORS
9/3/2014
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4. APPOINTMENT
9/3/2014
• Appointment process of independent directors shall be independent of the company
management.
• Passing of Resolution at the Meeting of Share holders (Ordinary Resolution in GM).
• The company shall issue a Formal Letter of appointment to independent director, which
shall mention:
• 1. the term of appointment
• 2.the expectation of the Board from the appointed director
• 3. the fiduciary duties along with accompanying liabilities
• 4.the Code of Business Ethics of company
• 5. the remuneration, mentioning periodic fees, reimbursement of expenses for participation in
the Boards and other meetings and profit related commission, if any
• The Letter of appointment along with the detailed profile of independent director shall be
disclosed on the websites of the company and the Stock exchanges.
• The Letter of appointment along with the detailed profile of independent director shall be
submitted with Stock Exchanges not later than one working day from the date of such
appointment.
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5. APPOINTMENT SUMMARY
9/3/2014
• INDEPENDENT PROCESS OF COMPANY
MANAGEMENT
• PASSING OF RESOLUTION
• ISSUE OF LETTER OF APPOINTMENT
• DISCLOSING LOA ON COMPANY WEBSITE
• SUBMIT LOA TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE
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6. TENURE
MAXIMUM
TENURE
AS PER
COMPANIES ACT
2013
TWO
9/3/2014
CONSECUTIVE
TERMS OF 5
YEARS EACH
AS PER CLAUSE
49
TWO
CONSECUTIVE
TERMS OF 5
YEARS EACH
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7. LIABILITY
9/3/2014
• With a view to safeguard independent directors
from the negative ramifications arising out of the
non-independent directors' activities, the Act
explicitly provides under section 149(12) that they
can be implicated only for offences committed
with their knowledge, connivance or negligence.
• This should limit their liability and, hopefully,
instill confidence in the minds of such individuals
for taking honest and unfettered decisions, which
eventually will ensure proper monitoring of
company's management.
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8. RESIGNATION
9/3/2014
• An Independent Director may resign from his office
by giving a notice in writing to the Company.
• The Board on receipt of such notice shall file same
with Registrar in Form DIR- 12 within 30 days
from the date of receipt of such notice.
• The Company shall also place the fact of such
resignation in Director Report laid in the
immediately following general meeting by the
Company.
• A director shall also forward a copy of
resignation in DIR-11 within 30 days.
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9. REMOVAL
9/3/2014
• A Company may, by ordinary resolution,
remove a director, before the expiry of his period
after giving a reasonable opportunity of being
heard.
• A special notice is required for any resolution,
to remove a director under this section, or to
appoint somebody in place of a director so
removed.
• The vacancy shall be filled within a period of
not more than 180 days.
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10. RE-APPOINTMENT
9/3/2014
• Require Special Resolution in General
Meeting and Disclosure of such re-appointment
in Directors Report.
• On the basis of Report of Performance
Evaluation.
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