Inspection of 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.
Part IX of the Rules sets out how a party, or in limited cases a stranger, may inspect the record of a pending or decided appeal. The Registrar must order inspection, the application is in Form NCLAT-3 and is presented two days ahead, inspection happens in set hours under supervision, and a register records it. A related fee rule points to an amount the Schedule does not print.
Parties and their authorised representatives may inspect the record of the case on a written application to the Registrar. A non-party may be allowed only on terms the Chairperson sets and with the Registrar's written permission. Inspection of a pending or decided case is allowed only on the Registrar's order. The application is in Form NCLAT-3, presented at the filing counter between 10.30 AM and 3.00 PM on a working day and two days before the date sought, unless the Registrar permits otherwise. Rule 60 refers to an inspection fee "as given in the Schedule", but the Schedule has no inspection fee. The Rules are read as amended up to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2017 (G.S.R. 1061(E), 23 August 2017).
Rule 57: inspection of the records
- Rule 57(1). The parties to any case, or their authorised representatives, may be allowed to inspect the record of the case by making an application in writing to the Registrar, with the fee prescribed.
- Rule 57(2). Subject to terms and conditions the Chairperson may prescribe by general or special order, a person who is not a party may also be allowed to inspect the proceedings after obtaining the written permission of the Registrar.
Due diligence on a company that is a party to an appeal is a common reason to look at a record. Our legal due diligence service uses the inspection route where a record is relevant, within what the Rules allow.
Rule 58: grant of inspection
Inspection of the records of a pending or decided case is allowed only on the order of the Registrar. Nobody has a right to walk in and take the file.
Rule 59: application for inspection
- Rule 59(1). The application under rule 58 is in Form NCLAT-3 and presented at the filing counter of the Registry between 10.30 AM and 3.00 PM on any working day, and two days before the date on which inspection is sought, unless otherwise permitted by the Registrar.
- Rule 59(2). The Registry submits the application with its remarks before the Registrar, who considers it and passes appropriate orders.
- Rule 59(3). Inspection of records of a pending case is not ordinarily permitted on the date fixed for hearing or on the preceding day.
Rule 60: fee payable for inspection
Fee "as given in the Schedule of the fees appended to these rules" is payable by Demand Draft or Indian Postal Order drawn in favour of the Pay and Accounts Officer, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, New Delhi, on any application for inspection of records of a pending or decided case.
The gap. The Schedule of Fees has only two entries (section 218(3) and section 421(1) appeals) and contains no inspection fee. This article states no inspection fee. Read it with the article on the Schedule, and confirm the amount with the Registry before presenting the application.
Rule 61: mode of inspection
| Sub-rule | What it provides |
|---|---|
| 61(1) | On permission, the Deputy Registrar arranges to procure the records and allows inspection on the date and time fixed by the Registrar, between 10.30 AM and 12.30 PM and between 2.30 PM and 4.30 PM, in the immediate presence of an authorised officer |
| 61(2) | No dislocation, mutilation, tampering or damage to the records |
| 61(3) | No marking on any record or paper; notes may be taken only in pencil |
| 61(4) | The supervising person may at any time prohibit further inspection if records are likely to be damaged or the Rules are breached, and must report to the Registrar and seek orders; the notes are made in the Inspection Register |
Rule 62: register of inspection
The Deputy Registrar causes a Register to be maintained for inspection of documents or records, and obtains the signature of the person inspecting, both on the Register and on the application, at the conclusion of the inspection.
Form NCLAT-3: headings as printed
Form NCLAT-3 is headed "Pending/Disposed of", "In the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi", with the application number and the parties, and is titled "Application for Inspection of Documents/Records". It carries seven items:
- name and address of the person seeking inspection;
- whether a party or the party's legal practitioner, and the rank;
- details of the papers or documents sought to be inspected;
- reasons for seeking the inspection;
- the date and duration of inspection sought;
- whether the fee is paid and the mode of payment;
- if a third party, whether a vakalat has been filed with Court Fee Stamp.
Then come a verification, an "Office Use" part (granted inspection for ___ hours / rejected, signed by the Registrar) and an endorsement after inspection, signed by the applicant or authorised representative. The Form is marked "See Rule 59" but its title line refers to inspection "under Rule 60"; the rules print both numbers.
Same as before the NCLT?
Close. NCLT rules 114 to 118 follow the same pattern. The differences: NCLT rule 116 says the application is "presented at Registry" with no named form, whereas NCLAT rule 59 prescribes Form NCLAT-3 at the filing counter; the NCLT fee is mentioned in the inspection rule itself (114(1)), whereas the NCLAT rule moves it to a separate rule 60, which points to the Schedule. See Rules 114 to 118 of the NCLT Rules.
An example
Rajat Ventures Private Limited is a party to a decided appeal and wants to inspect the record. Its authorised representative files Form NCLAT-3 at the counter at 11 AM, two days before the date sought, with the fee particulars confirmed from the Registry. The Registrar orders inspection. At the appointed time, the representative inspects in the presence of an authorised officer, takes notes in pencil only, and signs the Register at the end.
Need help reviewing a record before a decision?
When a counterparty's appeal affects your deal, the record can show what matters. If you need records reviewed as part of a transaction or dispute, our legal due diligence team can assist.
Key takeaways
- Parties and their authorised representatives may apply in writing to the Registrar; non-parties need the Registrar's written permission and the Chairperson's terms (rule 57).
- Inspection of pending or decided cases is only on the Registrar's order (rule 58).
- Form NCLAT-3 goes to the filing counter between 10.30 AM and 3.00 PM, two days ahead (rule 59).
- Rule 60 mentions an inspection fee that the Schedule does not print.
- Inspection is supervised, in set hours, in pencil only, and recorded in a register (rules 61, 62).
Read next
- Rules 41-47: registers, case files and destruction of records
- Rules 55-56 and the Schedule of Fees
- Rules 114-118 of the NCLT Rules
- Appearing before the NCLAT
Disclaimer: Based on the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal Rules, 2016 (G.S.R. 717(E)) as amended up to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2017 (G.S.R. 1061(E)), consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, fees, forms, NCLAT 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.