Quick answerA Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique number that every individual must hold before being appointed a director of an Indian company, under Sections 152(3) and 153 of the Companies Act, 2013. For a new company, DINs for up to three proposed directors are allotted through the SPICe+ incorporation form. For appointment in an existing company, the individual applies in Form DIR-3, authenticated by the company. A person may hold only one DIN, which stays valid for life unless surrendered, cancelled or deactivated.
- Law
- Sections 152 to 159, Companies Act 2013
- Form
- SPICe+ or DIR-3
- Holders
- One DIN per person (Section 155)
- Upkeep
- DIR-3 KYC as per current rules
Who needs a DIN
Under Section 152(3), no person can be appointed a director of a company unless a DIN has been allotted to him under Section 154. This applies to:
- First directors named at incorporation of a private, public, one person or Section 8 company.
- Any person to be appointed as an additional, alternate, nominee, independent or managing director of an existing company.
- Designated partners of an LLP, who use a DIN in place of the old DPIN.
- Foreign nationals and NRIs joining the board of an Indian company, including an Indian subsidiary.
A DIN is personal and permanent. If you already have one from an earlier company, you use the same number for every later directorship. Applying for a second DIN is prohibited by Section 155; a duplicate DIN must be surrendered in Form DIR-5.
How a DIN is obtained
| Situation | Route | Key points |
|---|
| New company being incorporated | SPICe+ (INC-32) | DIN for up to three proposed directors allotted through the form itself |
| New LLP being incorporated | FiLLiP | DIN for the proposed designated partners, within the form's limits |
| Appointment in an existing company | DIR-3 | Filed with the applicant's DSC, authenticated by a director, company secretary or CFO of the company, with the board resolution |
| Appointment in an existing LLP | DIR-3 | Authenticated by a designated partner of the LLP |
DIR-3 requires the applicant's PAN (for Indian nationals), Aadhaar or other identity proof, address proof, photograph, and a working mobile number and email address that are verified by OTP. Foreign nationals use their passport and an overseas address proof, notarised and apostilled or consularised. The Central Government is required to allot the DIN within one month under Section 154; in practice DIR-3 applications that are in order are usually approved within a few working days.
After the DIN is allotted
The DIN alone does not make anyone a director. The appointment itself follows a separate procedure:
- The person gives written consent to act as director in Form DIR-2 and a declaration in DIR-8 that he is not disqualified.
- The board or the shareholders appoint him in the manner the Act and the articles require.
- The company files DIR-12 with the Registrar within 30 days of the appointment.
- The director discloses his interests in other entities in MBP-1 at the first board meeting.
Under Section 156, a director must intimate his DIN to every company in which he is a director, and changes in his personal particulars (address, name, contact details) are updated in Form DIR-6. A person can be a director in up to 20 companies, of which not more than 10 may be public companies, under Section 165.
DIR-3 KYC: keeping the DIN active
Rule 12A of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 requires every individual holding a DIN to submit KYC details to the MCA. The DIR-3 KYC e-form is used for the first submission or when contact details change, and the simpler DIR-3 KYC-WEB service is used to confirm unchanged details. Under the annual cycle the due date has been 30 September following the end of the financial year.
The frequency of director KYC has been under review by the MCA, with changes towards a longer, three-yearly cycle and updates whenever contact details change. Because the rule and its transition dates decide whether your filing is due, we check the requirement in force on the date of filing rather than relying on an old calendar.
If KYC is not filed when due, the DIN is marked "Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC". The director cannot sign or be named in MCA forms until the KYC is filed with the late fee (₹5,000 under the current fee rules). A deactivated DIN is reactivated on filing; the director does not lose his position on the board, but the company's filings are blocked meanwhile.
Disqualification under Section 164
Section 164(1) lists personal disqualifications, such as being of unsound mind, an undischarged insolvent, or convicted of an offence and sentenced to six months or more. Section 164(2) is the one that affects most directors: a person who is or has been a director of a company that
- has not filed its financial statements or annual returns for any three continuous financial years, or
- has failed to repay deposits, redeem debentures or pay declared dividends for one year or more,
is not eligible to be reappointed as a director of that company, or appointed in any other company, for five years from the date of the default. Under Section 167, he vacates office in the other companies where he is a director, other than the company in default.
Many directors find they are disqualified because a company they had forgotten about stopped filing. The usual remedies are to bring the company's filings up to date, use any condonation or settlement scheme that the MCA has announced at the time, or apply to the High Court or the NCLT, depending on the circumstances. If the company in question was struck off, its restoration may be needed. These matters need a review of the company's full filing record before any step is taken.
Common DIN problems
- Two DINs for one person, created when a second application was made with a different name spelling. The extra DIN must be surrendered.
- Name mismatch with PAN. The name in the DIN application must match PAN exactly, including middle names and initials.
- Mobile number or email shared with another director, which the KYC system rejects.
- DIR-12 not filed after appointment, so the person holds a DIN but is not shown as a director on the MCA record.
- Resigning but staying on record. A director who resigns should file DIR-11 and make sure the company files DIR-12, so that later defaults of that company do not affect him.
DIN fees and timeline
DINs allotted through SPICe+ form part of the incorporation filing. A DIR-3 application carries an MCA filing fee, and the applicant needs a valid Class 3 digital signature certificate. KYC is free when filed on time. Our professional fee for DIR-3, DIR-12 and KYC is quoted in writing; disqualification and restoration matters are quoted after we review the company record. For the annual filings that keep directors safe, see our page on ROC annual compliance.
Documents you need
For each person applying for a DIN or filing KYC:
- PAN card (Indian nationals) or passport (foreign nationals)
- Aadhaar or other identity proof
- Address proof: bank statement, utility bill or passport, not older than two months
- Passport-size photograph
- Personal mobile number and email address for OTP verification
- Class 3 digital signature certificate
- Board resolution of the company proposing the appointment (for DIR-3)
How we handle it for you
Check existing DIN
We search the MCA record so that no duplicate DIN is applied for.
Prepare documents
Names are matched with PAN and the address proof is checked before filing.
File the application
DIN is obtained through SPICe+ or DIR-3, authenticated by the company.
Appointment filings
DIR-2, DIR-8, the board resolution and DIR-12 are prepared and filed within 30 days.
KYC reminders
We track the KYC due date for every director and file it in time.
Why clients choose ProudLegal
Advocates who appear in courtYour matter is drafted and argued by enrolled advocates, not call-centre staff.
Company and tax filings in-houseCompany secretaries and tax professionals handle registrations and returns.
Fees agreed in writingYou receive a written fee quote before any work begins.
Updates on WhatsApp and emailEvery hearing date, filing and document is shared as it happens.
Please note: this page explains the law and procedure in general terms as on 30 October 2026. Fees, limits and timelines change, and the facts of each case matter, so take advice on your own papers before acting.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DIN?
A Director Identification Number is a unique number allotted by the Central Government to an individual who is or wants to be a director of an Indian company or a designated partner of an LLP.
How do I apply for a DIN for an existing company?
File Form DIR-3 with your DSC, PAN, identity and address proof, authenticated by a director, company secretary or CFO of the company, with the board resolution for your appointment.
Is a separate DIN application needed when forming a new company?
No. DINs for up to three proposed directors are allotted through the SPICe+ incorporation form.
Is DIN valid for life?
Yes. A DIN is allotted once and stays with the person for life, unless it is surrendered, cancelled or deactivated.
What happens if DIR-3 KYC is not filed?
The DIN is deactivated and cannot be used in MCA filings until the KYC is filed with the late fee.
Can a foreign national get a DIN?
Yes. A foreign national applies with a passport and an overseas address proof that is notarised and apostilled or consularised.
What is DIN disqualification under section 164?
If a company has not filed its financial statements or annual returns for three continuous years, its directors are disqualified for five years from appointment in any other company.
Can I have two DINs?
No. Section 155 prohibits holding more than one DIN. A duplicate DIN must be surrendered in Form DIR-5.
