Which form to use explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Annexure A prints the forms the Tribunal Rules prescribe: NCLT-1 to NCLT-18, together with NCLT-3A, NCLT-3B and NCLT-3C. Rule 4 says the forms in Annexure A apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, and that where no form is prescribed the Registrar may approve one. This article is a table of the forms, the rules each form's own "see rule" line points to, the explaining article, and the mismatches between the forms and the rules.
There are eighteen numbered forms plus NCLT-3A, NCLT-3B and NCLT-3C. Form NCLT-3 was substituted and Form NCLT-3C (Memorandum of Caveat) inserted by G.S.R. 1159(E) of 20 December 2016; "80A" was added to Form NCLT-1's rule list by G.S.R. 80(E) of 3 February 2020. Form NCLT-1 is the main petition form, and Form NCLT-9 is also the "General Form for all purposes if no specific form is prescribed under these rules and Forms". The forms' own rule lists do not match the rules in a few places, and the table below shows each. Read as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E), 3 February 2020). Later amendments should be checked.
Rule 4 and Annexure A
Annexure A is headed "(See rule 4)". Rule 4 is covered in the article on rules 3 to 7. Specimens of Form NCLT-1 and Form NCLT-9 are not reproduced here; for drafting, see our Form NCLT-1 petition format and Form NCLT-9 general application format. If you are unsure which form fits a filing, our legal dispute resolution team can advise.
The forms at a glance
| Form | Title as printed | "See rule" line as printed | Explained in |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLT-1 | Columns required for filing of Original Application / Reply / Rejoinder / Interlocutory Application or filing of additional documents under directions of the Bench | Rules 34, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 80A (added 2020), 81, 83, 86 and 87 | Rule 34 and the rules named |
| NCLT-2 | Notice of Admission | Rule 34 | Rule 34 |
| NCLT-3 | Notice of Motion (substituted 2016) | Rule 34 | Rule 34 |
| NCLT-3A | Advertisement detailing petition | Rule 35 | Rule 35 |
| NCLT-3B | Individual Notice of petition/application to creditors, members, etc. | Rule 68 | Rule 68 |
| NCLT-3C | Memorandum of Caveat (inserted 2016) | Rule 25 | Rules 25 and 26 |
| NCLT-4 | General Heading for Proceedings | Rule 34 | Rule 34 |
| NCLT-5 | Notice | Rules 34 and 37 | Rules 36 and 37 |
| NCLT-6 | General Affidavit Verifying Petition | Rule 34 | Rule 34 |
| NCLT-7 | Affidavit by way evidence | Rule 39 | Rules 39 and 40 |
| NCLT-8 | Application for Execution of Order under clause (3) of section 424 of the Act with reference to a Decree (Order 21, R.11.) | Rule 56 | Rules 56 and 57 |
| NCLT-9 | General form (details of application or petition) | Rules 72, 76, 82, 84, 88 and 154, and general form for all purposes if no specific form is prescribed | See the NCLT-9 guide and the rules named |
| NCLT-10 | Application for the registration of an intern of authorised representative | Rule 46 | Rules 45, 46 and 119 to 124 |
| NCLT-11 | Application by depositor, company, debenture holder or debenture trustee | Rule 73 | Rule 73 |
| NCLT-12 | Memorandum of appearance | Rule 45 | Rules 45, 46 and 119 to 124 |
| NCLT-13 | Public Notice of petition under Section 245 | Rule 87 | Rules 86 and 87 |
| NCLT-14 | Certification when deponent is unacquainted with the language of the affidavit or is blind or illiterate | Rule 128 | Rules 125 to 130 |
| NCLT-15 | Summons for production of documents (headed "Under Section 424 ... r/w corresponding power vested under C.P.C.") | Rule 131 | Rules 131 to 134 |
| NCLT-16 | Deposition of PW/RW | Rule 140 | Rules 140 to 145 |
| NCLT-17 | Certificate of Discharge | Rule 142 | Rules 140 to 145 |
| NCLT-18 | Register of SLPs/Appeals | Rule 163 | Rules 163 to 165 |
Forms changed by amendment
- Form NCLT-3 was substituted by G.S.R. 1159(E) of 20 December 2016. As substituted it is headed "I.A. No. ___/20__ in C.P./C.A. No. ___ 20__" and titled Notice of Motion, with the note "This form is prescribed under Rule 4 under NCLT Rules, 2016" and boxes for rehabilitation matters and transferred (CLB/BIFR/AAIFR/HC) matters. Those institutions are named as printed; check the current law on them.
- Form NCLT-3C, Memorandum of Caveat, was inserted by the same notification.
- The rule list under Form NCLT-1 had "80A" inserted by G.S.R. 80(E) of 3 February 2020. See the article on rules 78 to 80A.
Where the forms and the rules do not match
- Rule 34(4) and rule 39(3). Rule 34(4) prescribes Form NCLT-6 for the affidavit verifying a petition, and rule 39(3) says every affidavit filed is in Form NCLT-7. NCLT-6 is the "General Affidavit Verifying Petition"; NCLT-7 the "Affidavit by way evidence".
- Form NCLT-9's rule list. It names rules 72, 76, 82, 84, 88 and 154. Rules 76A, 83A and 87A also direct that Form NCLT-9 be used, though the printed list was not updated.
- Form NCLT-1's rule list. It does not name rule 68A (the application to cancel a variation of class rights), which uses Form NCLT-1; only "80A" was added in 2020. Rules 86 and 87(3)(h) also use Form NCLT-1 for opting out of a class action.
- Form NCLT-3B. The form says "" while rule 68 calls it "Form NCLT. No. 3B".
- Form NCLT-3. It says "This form is prescribed under Rule 4"; the "see" line says rule 34.
- Form NCLT-18. It is headed "Register of SLPs/Appeals", while rule 163 calls it the register of appeals to the NCLAT.
These are as printed. Where a form's own list and a rule differ, the rule is the operative text and names the form for the filing; ask the Registry if the practice is unclear.
Which form for which filing
| Filing | Form |
|---|---|
| Petition or application under a section with a specific rule (for example sections 58, 59, 61, 71(10), 73(4), 97, 98, 131, 140, 169, 213, 230(12), 241) | NCLT-1 |
| Interlocutory application | NCLT-1 with NCLT-3 (rule 34(3)) |
| Withdrawal, rectification, waiver, section 252 restoration, references and class action | NCLT-9 |
| Any filing with no specific form | NCLT-9 (general form) |
| Caveat | NCLT-3C |
| Advertisement | NCLT-3A |
| Appearance | NCLT-12 |
| Execution | NCLT-8 |
An example
An authorised representative for Quartz Retail Private Limited has to file a petition under section 241, an application to withdraw it later, and a memorandum of appearance. The petition goes in Form NCLT-1, the withdrawal in Form NCLT-9 and the appearance in Form NCLT-12. Where the representative also expects an adverse application, a caveat in Form NCLT-3C can be lodged first.
What a practitioner checks
- The form each rule names, in the rule itself, before relying on a form's own "see rule" line.
- That the modifications the circumstances require are made and the heading as in Form NCLT-4 is used.
- That Form NCLT-9 is used when the Rules prescribe no specific form.
- The mismatches above, before a filing is made.
Need help choosing and filling the right form?
A filing in the wrong form can be returned for defects. For help, speak to our legal dispute resolution team.
Key takeaways
- Annexure A has Forms NCLT-1 to NCLT-18 with 3A, 3B and 3C.
- Form NCLT-3 was substituted and NCLT-3C inserted in 2016; "80A" was added to NCLT-1's rule list in 2020.
- Form NCLT-9 is also the general form where no specific form is prescribed.
- The forms' rule lists do not always match the rules; check both.
Read next
- Rule 34: general procedure and forms NCLT-1 to NCLT-6
- Annexure B, part 1: documents to attach
- Rules 25 and 26: caveat in Form NCLT-3C
- Form NCLT-1: petition format
Disclaimer: Based on the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016 (G.S.R. 716(E)) as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E)), consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, fees, forms, NCLT practice directions and the Companies Act, 2013 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.