Updated: DIR-3 KYC is no longer an annual filing
The Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 943(E) dated 31 December 2025), in force from 31 March 2026, rewrote Rule 12A. DIR-3 KYC is now filed once every three consecutive financial years, on or before 30 June of the year following the third year — not every 30 June. A single unified Form DIR-3 KYC Web replaces the old e-form and web service. For anyone compliant at the changeover, the next filing is due 30 June 2028. A change in mobile number, email or address must still be updated within 30 days, and does not reset the three-year cycle. The ₹5,000 late fee and DIN deactivation are unchanged. Full explainer →
DIR-3 KYC — Director explained: this guide covers what DIR-3 KYC — Director 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.
What Is DIR-3 KYC and Why Does Every Director Need to File It?
DIR-3 KYC is the periodic Know Your Customer (KYC) update that every individual holding a Director Identification Number (DIN) must file with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) by 30 June every year. It was introduced in 2018 to verify that directors on the MCA database are real persons with valid, updated contact details — and to weed out shell company directors and inactive DINs.
The consequence of not filing is severe and immediate: shortly after the due date, every year, MCA deactivates the DIN of all directors who have not filed DIR-3 KYC. A deactivated DIN means the director cannot sign any MCA e-form, cannot file any return, and is flagged as non-compliant on the MCA portal. If you are a director in multiple companies, ALL those companies are affected — none of them can file forms requiring your digital signature until your DIN is reactivated.
Who Must File DIR-3 KYC?
Every person who has been allotted a DIN as on March 31 of that financial year must file DIR-3 KYC for that year. This includes:
(a) Active directors currently serving on any company board
(b) Directors who have resigned but whose DIN has not been surrendered
(c) Directors of struck-off companies whose DIN is still active
(d) Persons who obtained DIN but were never appointed as director in any company
(e) Designated Partners of LLPs who hold DIN (DPIN and DIN are now unified)
Exemption: If your DIN is already deactivated or surrendered, you do NOT need to file. Directors who have died — their legal representatives should inform MCA; no KYC needed.
Two Types of DIR-3 KYC Filing
1. DIR-3 KYC Web Form (for superseded — one unified form now applies)
If you filed DIR-3 KYC in the previous year and your details (mobile, email, address, PAN) have NOT changed: file the simplified DIR-3 KYC Web Form on the MCA portal. This is an OTP-based verification — no DSC required, no attachments. Takes 5-10 minutes.
Process: Login to MCA → Services → DIR-3 KYC Web → Enter DIN → Verify pre-filled details → OTP on registered mobile and email → Submit. Done.
2. DIR-3 KYC E-Form (for first-time filers or changes in details)
If you are filing DIR-3 KYC for the first time, or if any detail has changed (new mobile number, new email, address change, name change): file the full DIR-3 KYC E-Form. This requires DSC and professional certification (by a practicing CA/CS/CMA).
Process: Download DIR-3 KYC form from MCA → fill all details → attach proof of address change (if applicable) → get professional certification from CA/CS → sign with DSC → upload on MCA portal.
Documents and Information Required
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| DIN | Your 8-digit Director Identification Number |
| PAN | Mandatory for Indian residents (auto-verified with CBDT database) |
| Aadhaar | Mandatory for Indian residents (auto-verified with UIDAI) |
| Passport | For foreign nationals (in lieu of PAN/Aadhaar) |
| Personal mobile | Indian mobile number (OTP verification) |
| Personal email | Personal email (not company email — OTP verification) |
| Residential address | Current permanent address with proof |
| Present address | If different from permanent address |
| Photograph | Latest passport-size (for e-form only) |
Step-by-Step Filing Process (Web Form)
Step 1: Login to mca.gov.in with your registered credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to MCA Services → DIR-3 KYC (Web).
Step 3: Enter your DIN number. The system pre-fills your details from the MCA database.
Step 4: Verify all pre-filled information — name, date of birth, PAN, Aadhaar, nationality, mobile, email, address.
Step 5: If everything is correct: click 'Submit.' OTPs sent to your registered mobile AND email simultaneously.
Step 6: Enter both OTPs within 15 minutes. Click 'Verify.'
Step 7: Acknowledgment generated. Save the SRN (Service Request Number) for reference.
Common issue: OTP not received — check if mobile/email in MCA database is current. If your mobile number has changed since last filing: you MUST file the e-form (not web form) to update the number first.
What Happens If You Miss the 30 June Deadline?
October 1 — DIN Deactivation: MCA runs an automated script shortly after the due date each cycle that deactivates all DINs for which DIR-3 KYC has not been filed. The status changes from 'Approved' to 'Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC.' This deactivation is across ALL companies where the director holds position — not just one.
Impact of DIN deactivation:
(a) Cannot digitally sign ANY MCA e-form — AOC-4, MGT-7, DIR-12, SH-7, or any other form
(b) MCA portal shows the director as 'Deactivated' — affecting the company's compliance status
(c) Cannot be appointed as director in any new company until DIN is reactivated
(d) If you are the sole signing director of a company: the company is PARALYZED — it cannot file any form until your DIN is restored
Reactivation process:
File DIR-3 KYC (e-form, not web form) with Rs. 5,000 late fee. The fee is per DIN — not per company. After filing with late fee, DIN is typically reactivated within 3-7 working days. During the deactivation period, any forms requiring the director's signature will be rejected by the MCA system.
Special Situations
Director Who Has Resigned
If you resigned as director from all companies but your DIN is still 'Approved' (not deactivated or surrendered): you MUST still file DIR-3 KYC. DIN does not automatically deactivate on resignation — it remains in the system. To permanently deactivate: apply for surrender of DIN through DIR-5 form. After surrender: no further KYC required.
Director of Struck-Off Company
If the company where you were director has been struck off AND you are disqualified under Section 164(2): your DIN is already deactivated for a different reason (disqualification, not KYC). Filing DIR-3 KYC will NOT reactivate a DIN deactivated for disqualification — you need to cure the disqualification first (get the company restored through NCLT or wait for the 5-year disqualification period to expire).
Foreign Directors
Foreign nationals holding DIN must also file DIR-3 KYC. They use passport number instead of PAN/Aadhaar. The form must be filed as e-form (not web form) with DSC and professional certification. Foreign directors often miss this filing — their Indian company's CS or compliance team should track and remind them.
DIN Holder Who Was Never Appointed Director
If you obtained DIN but were never actually appointed as director in any company: you should either file DIR-3 KYC once every three financial years (to keep DIN active for future use) or surrender the DIN through DIR-5 (if you don't plan to use it). Keeping an unused DIN active but not filing KYC = deactivation + Rs. 5,000 reactivation fee when you eventually need it.
Link Between DIR-3 KYC and Annual Compliance
DIR-3 KYC is interconnected with other annual filings:
(a) AOC-4 and MGT-7: if the signing director's DIN is deactivated, these forms cannot be filed — creating a cascading compliance failure
(b) Form 8 and Form 11 (LLP): designated partners with deactivated DIN cannot sign LLP annual filings
(c) Income tax (company): while ITR does not require DIN directly, the underlying company must be compliant — and deactivated DIN indicates non-compliance
(d) Bank and regulatory submissions: banks and regulators increasingly check MCA director status — deactivated DIN raises red flags