Every individual who becomes a company director in India is allotted a Director Identification Number (DIN) by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
To keep director records accurate, MCA requires DIN holders to confirm their personal details through Form DIR-3 KYC.
As per the latest regulatory change notified by MCA, the filing requirement has been revised and is no longer annual.
Filing Frequency – Key Update
DIR-3 KYC is now required once every three years instead of every year.
The purpose of this change is to reduce unnecessary compliance while ensuring that director information remains updated in MCA records.
Who Must File DIR-3 KYC
DIR-3 KYC must be filed by:
- Any person who has been allotted a DIN, and
- Whose DIN status is “Approved” in the MCA system.
This applies even if the person:
- Is not currently acting as a director,
- Holds DIN but is not associated with any company, or
- Is a disqualified director (if DIN remains approved).
The responsibility to file KYC belongs to the individual director, not the company.
When Filing Is Required
DIR-3 KYC is required:
- Once every three years under the revised system, or
- Whenever there is a change in mobile number, email ID, or residential address, or
- When reactivating a DIN that has been deactivated due to non-compliance.
Directors who have already completed KYC earlier will follow the new three-year cycle as per MCA timelines.
Details Required for Filing
The form requires basic personal information:
- Name (as per PAN)
- Father’s name
- Date of birth
- PAN number
- Personal mobile number
- Personal email ID
- Residential address
Identity Proof
- Aadhaar (if allotted), or
- Passport / Voter ID / Driving Licence
OTP Verification
During filing, verification is completed through OTP sent to:
- Personal mobile number, and
- Personal email address.
Both must be active and accessible at the time of filing.
Digital Signature and Certification
The form must be:
- Digitally signed by the DIN holder using a valid DSC, and
- Certified by a practicing professional (CA, CS, or CMA) when details are updated.
Consequences of Non-Filing
If DIR-3 KYC is not completed within the prescribed time, MCA will mark the DIN as:
“Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC.”
When DIN is deactivated:
- MCA forms cannot be signed,
- New directorship appointments are restricted, and
- Company filings may get delayed.
Reactivation of DIN
A deactivated DIN can be restored by filing DIR-3 KYC along with a late fee of ₹5,000.
The fee is payable by the director personally.
Important Practical Point
Even though filing is required only once in three years, directors should ensure that their contact details remain updated and check DIN status periodically to avoid last-minute compliance issues.
Key Takeaways
- DIR-3 KYC is mandatory for all DIN holders with “Approved” status.
- Filing is required once every three years.
- It confirms personal and contact details with MCA.
- Non-filing leads to DIN deactivation.
- Reactivation requires payment of ₹5,000.
- Compliance responsibility lies with the individual director.
