One Person 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.
No individual who has already been allotted a Director Identification Number may apply for, obtain or possess another. If a second DIN exists, the rules provide for cancellation or deactivation of the duplicate, with the data merged into the DIN the person keeps. This guide reads the Companies Act, 2013 in the Ministry's consolidated text (last updated 29 July 2022) and the Rules as consolidated in the Ministry's e-book, consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments should be checked.
Section 155 bars an individual from applying for, obtaining or possessing more than one DIN. Rule 11(1)(a) lets the Central Government cancel or deactivate a DIN found to be duplicated, merging the data of both DINs into the validly retained number. A holder who has never been a director anywhere and never used the DIN for any filing may surrender it in Form DIR-5. An application is rejected only on the grounds rule 10(3) prints: it is defective or incomplete, and the defect is not cured properly or in time.
What the Act says
- Section 153: every individual intending to be appointed as director applies for a DIN in the prescribed form and manner with the prescribed fees.
- Section 154: the Central Government allots a DIN within one month of receiving the application.
- Section 155: no individual who has already been allotted a DIN shall apply for, obtain or possess another.
- Section 156: every existing director intimates his DIN to the company or all companies wherein he is a director within one month of receiving it.
- Section 157: the company furnishes the DIN of all its directors to the Registrar within fifteen days of receiving the intimation; section 157(2) prints the penalty for failure.
- Section 159: if an individual or director defaults in complying with section 152, 155 or 156, he is liable to a penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, and, where the default is continuing, a further penalty which may extend to five hundred rupees for each day after the first.
Our DIN allotment service can help if you need a DIN application checked before it is filed.
Applying: rules 9 and 10
Rule 9 requires an applicant who intends to be appointed as director of an existing company to apply electronically in Form DIR-3, with proof of identity, proof of residence, a photograph, a specimen signature and a board resolution proposing appointment, as the rule lists; the form is verified digitally by the person the rule names. Rule 10(2) says the Central Government decides on approval or rejection within a period of one month from receipt of the application, and rule 10(6) says the DIN so allotted is valid for the life-time of the applicant and shall not be allotted to any other person.
Rejection: the grounds the rules print
The rules print these grounds, and no others:
| Situation | What rule 10 says |
|---|---|
| Application found defective or incomplete | Intimation placed on the website and sent by email, directing the applicant to rectify by resubmitting within fifteen days (rule 10(3)) |
| Defect rectified only partly, or information still defective | The Central Government shall reject the application and direct the applicant to file a fresh application with complete and correct information (rule 10(3)(a)) |
| Defects not removed within the given time | The application is treated and labelled invalid in the electronic record (rule 10(3)(b)) |
| Fee on rejection or invalidation | Neither refunded nor adjusted with any other application (rule 10(4)) |
| Applicant is a national of a country that shares a land border with India | No application number is generated unless security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs is attached (proviso to rule 10(1)) |
This article states no portal error messages. If a DIN application fails, read the intimation, cure what it points to within the fifteen days and resubmit a complete application. See also our guide on the DIN application process.
If you hold two DINs
Rule 11(1) says the Central Government, or the Regional Director Northern Region Directorate I, or an officer authorised by him, may, on being satisfied on verification of particulars or documentary proof attached to the application received with the fee, cancel or deactivate a DIN in these cases:
- (a) the DIN is found to be duplicated in respect of the same person, provided the data related to both DINs shall be merged with the validly retained number;
- (b) the DIN was obtained in a wrongful manner or by fraudulent means (an opportunity of being heard first; the Explanation defines both terms);
- (c) death of the individual;
- (d) the individual has been declared of unsound mind by a competent Court;
- (e) the individual has been adjudicated an insolvent;
- (f) on an application in Form DIR-5, by a DIN holder surrendering the DIN with a declaration that he has never been appointed director in any company and the DIN has never been used for filing any document with any authority; the Central Government verifies e-records before deactivation.
For a duplicate, the application is made to the Central Government with the supporting particulars and the fee prescribed in the Registration Offices and Fees Rules; this article states no fee. Clause (f) is the surrender route and is available only on the declaration it prints; if the extra DIN has been used for appointment or a filing, clause (a) is the relevant ground, as printed. Our guides on DIN surrender and deactivation and Form DIR-5 explain the process.
Worked example (invented names)
Kavita Rao obtained a DIN in 2019 for Mehra Foods Private Limited. In 2025, for a new company, she applied again and a second DIN was issued. Under section 155 the second DIN should not exist. Rule 11(1)(a) lets her apply to treat it as duplicated; both DINs' data are merged with the one validly retained. If the second DIN had never been used for any appointment or filing, rule 11(1)(f) would also allow surrender in Form DIR-5, with the declaration printed there.
KYC and deactivation
Rule 12A(1) says every individual who holds a DIN as on 31 March of a financial year shall file KYC intimation in e-form DIR-3 KYC with the Central Government on or before 30 June of the immediately following every third consecutive financial year. Rule 12A(2) requires Form DIR-3 KYC Web within thirty days of a change in mobile number, email address or residential address. Rule 11(2) says the Central Government shall deactivate the DIN of an individual who does not intimate his particulars under rule 12A, and rule 11(3) says a deactivated DIN is re-activated only after the DIR-3 KYC Web is filed with the prescribed fee. See our annual KYC service.
Under rule 12(1), a change in particulars in Form DIR-3 is intimated in Form DIR-6 within thirty days, and under rule 12(4) to the company within fifteen days.
Common mistakes
- Applying for a new DIN without checking whether one was allotted earlier.
- Using a second DIN for an appointment or filing, which makes surrender in DIR-5 unavailable on its terms.
- Ignoring the fifteen-day window to cure a defective application.
- Not intimating the DIN to the company within one month (section 156).
- Letting KYC lapse and discovering the DIN is deactivated at the next appointment.
Need help with a DIN problem?
We can check whether a person holds more than one DIN, prepare the application to retain one and file the intimation. See our DIN allotment service.
Key takeaways
- One individual, one DIN (section 155); a DIN is for life (rule 10(6)).
- A duplicate DIN can be cancelled or deactivated, with data merged (rule 11(1)(a)).
- Surrender in DIR-5 needs a declaration of no appointment and no use (rule 11(1)(f)).
- A defective application must be cured within fifteen days (rule 10(3)).
- Missing KYC deactivates the DIN (rule 11(2)).
Read next
- Director Liability After a Company Is Struck Off
- Appointing or Continuing a Managing Director Above 70
- DIN Surrender and Deactivation Guide
- DIN Application Process
Disclaimer: Based on the Companies Act, 2013 in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs consolidated text (last updated 29 July 2022), the Rules as consolidated in the Ministry's e-book and the other official texts named in this article, as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, notifications, circulars, forms and fees should be checked. Formats are general drafts to be adapted to the company's articles and facts. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.