Directors Identification Number (DIN) is a unique identification number assigned to anyone who intends to be a director or an existing company director in India. The concept of a DIN was introduced in India with the Companies Amendment Acts of 2006 under the provisions of Sections 266A to 266G of the Companies Act, 1956. It’s an 8-digit unique identification number that has a lifetime validity. Here’s your step-by-step guide to finding your DIN number.
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Before we delve into finding a DIN, let’s understand what it stands for and its purpose. A DIN is mandatory for anyone who is a director or wishes to be one. It is specific to the individual, meaning they will still have only one DIN even if they have directorships in multiple companies.
A DIN is required for the following reasons:
To find your DIN, you need to go to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website. The MCA manages corporate affairs in India through the Companies Act, of 1956, 2013, and other allied Acts, Bills, and Rules.
If you’re a first-time user, you’ll need to create an account on the MCA portal. If you already have an account, simply log in with your credentials.
Once logged in, look for the ‘Services’ tab. Under this, you’ll find a section labeled ‘DIN Services’ which provides various options related to DIN.
In the ‘DIN Services’ section, select ‘Check DIN Status’. You’ll need to input the provisional DIN issued to you during your initial application process. If you don’t have a provisional DIN, there are other ways to search which we will cover shortly.
Another way to find your DIN is by filing the DIR-3 KYC form. This form is used for KYC of Directors and should be used if you need to update or verify your details.
You can also search for your DIN by looking up director details. Go to the ‘MCA Services’ tab, and select ‘View Public Documents’. Here, you can enter the name of the director and the company to which they are associated.
If you are unable to find your DIN through the above steps, it may be advisable to seek the help of a professional or contact the MCA support services.
If you’ve lost or can’t remember your DIN, you can retrieve it by following the same steps above. The MCA portal provides sufficient services to help you recover your DIN.
Finding your DIN is a straightforward process thanks to the services provided by the MCA. As a central figure in a company’s governance, having and maintaining your DIN is crucial. This unique identifier helps maintain the transparency and accountability of directors across India, strengthening the corporate governance framework within the country. Remember, whether you’re a seasoned director or new to the role, your DIN is your permanent corporate identity and should be preserved with utmost responsibility.