Rules 74 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.
These four rules cover applications made to the Tribunal on general meetings and records. A member may apply under section 97 to call an annual general meeting; a director or member may apply under section 98 for another general meeting; a member refused a minute-book inspection may apply in Form NCLT-9; and under rule 76A the Central Government, income-tax authorities, SEBI, other regulators or any person concerned may apply to reopen accounts under section 130.
An application to call or direct the calling of an annual general meeting (section 97) is made by any member in Form NCLT-1 with Annexure B documents, with a copy to the Registrar of Companies on or before the hearing (rule 74). An application to call a general meeting other than an AGM (section 98) is by any director or member, on the same terms (rule 75). A member refused inspection of the minute book of general meetings applies in Form NCLT-9 (rule 76). Rule 76A, inserted by G.S.R. 1159(E) of 20 December 2016, lets the Central Government, income-tax authorities, SEBI, other regulators or any person concerned apply in Form NCLT-9 for reopening of books and recasting of financial statements under section 130. 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 74: calling an annual general meeting (section 97)
- Rule 74(1). An application under section 97 for calling, or obtaining a direction to call, the annual general meeting is made by any member of the company in Form NCLT-1, with the documents specified in Annexure B.
- Rule 74(2). A copy is served on the Registrar of Companies on or before the date of hearing.
For the section and the draft, see our guide to sections 97 to 99 and the format of an application to call an annual general meeting. If your company's meetings have not been called and the records need to be put right, our board resolution and legal documents team can help.
Rule 75: calling a general meeting other than an AGM (section 98)
- Rule 75(1). An application under section 98 for an order calling a general meeting (other than an annual general meeting) is made by any director or member in Form NCLT-1, with the Annexure B documents.
- Rule 75(2). A copy is served on the Registrar of Companies on or before the date of hearing.
Rule 76: inspection of minute-books of general meeting
Where a member has requested the company for inspection of the minute-book of general meetings on payment of the requisite fee and the company refused, the member may apply to the Tribunal in Form NCLT-9 for a direction to the company to allow inspection. See our guide to sections 119 and 120. The Form NCLT-9 layout is in the NCLT-9 guide.
Rule 76A: application under section 130
Rule 76A reads: "The Central Government, the Income-tax authorities, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, any other statutory regulatory body or authority or any person concerned may file an application in Form No. NCLT. 9 for re-opening of books of accounts and for re-casting of financial statement of a company under section 130 of the Act and such application shall be accompanied by such documents as mentioned in Annexure-B." It was inserted by G.S.R. 1159(E) of 20 December 2016. For the section, see our guide to section 130 and the guide to reopening and recasting accounts.
A note on Form NCLT-9. The form's rule list reads "rule 72, 76, 82, 84, 88 and 154"; rules 76A, 83A and 87A also direct that Form NCLT-9 be used, though the printed list does not name them. Form NCLT-9 is also the general form for all purposes where no specific form is prescribed. See Annexure A: Forms NCLT-1 to NCLT-18.
Annexure B, serials 9, 10 and 11
Serial number 9, section 97(1): application for calling of Annual General Meeting
- Affidavit verifying the petition.
- Bank draft evidencing payment of application fee.
- Any other relevant document.
Serial number 10, section 98(1): application for calling of general meeting other than annual general meeting
- Documentary evidence in proof of status of the applicant.
- Affidavit verifying the petition.
- Bank draft evidencing payment of application fee.
- Memorandum of appearance with copy of the Board's Resolution or the executed Vakalatnama, as the case may be.
- Any other relevant document.
Serial number 11, section 119(4): petition to pass an order directing immediate inspection of minute books or directing a copy to be sent forthwith
- Documentary evidence, if any, showing the refusal of the company to give inspection to the petitioner.
- Affidavit verifying the petition.
- Bank draft evidencing payment of application fee.
- Memorandum of appearance with copy of the Board's Resolution or the executed Vakalatnama, as the case may be.
- Any other relevant document.
The fee for each is in the Schedule; see the article on rule 112 and the Schedule of Fees. Annexure B is set out again in part 2 of the Annexure B article.
The four applications compared
| Rule | Section | Who applies | Form | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 97 | Any member | NCLT-1 | Copy to ROC on or before hearing |
| 75 | 98 | Any director or member | NCLT-1 | Copy to ROC on or before hearing |
| 76 | 119 (minute books) | Member refused inspection | NCLT-9 | Not stated in the rule |
| 76A | 130 | Central Government, income-tax authorities, SEBI, regulators, any person concerned | NCLT-9 | Annexure B documents |
An example
Maple Components Private Limited has not held its annual general meeting. A member, Mr. Khanna, applies in Form NCLT-1 under rule 74 with an affidavit verifying the petition and the fee draft, and serves the ROC before the hearing. Separately, he asks to see the minute-book of past general meetings, pays the requisite fee and is refused; he applies in Form NCLT-9 under rule 76 with documentary evidence of the refusal.
What a practitioner checks
- Which section the application rests on and who is entitled to apply.
- That the right Annexure B serial is used (9, 10 or 11) and the documents are attached.
- That the ROC is served on or before the hearing for rules 74 and 75.
- That the minute-book request, fee and refusal are on record before a rule 76 application.
Need help with an overdue meeting or a records dispute?
Applications to call meetings and inspect records rely on clear documentary proof of the refusal or default. For help, speak to our board resolution and legal documents team.
Key takeaways
- Any member applies in Form NCLT-1 for an AGM, with a copy to the ROC (rule 74).
- Any director or member applies for another general meeting (rule 75).
- Refusal of minute-book inspection is taken to the Tribunal in Form NCLT-9 (rule 76).
- Rule 76A lets regulators and any person concerned apply in Form NCLT-9 under section 130 (inserted 2016).
Read next
- Rule 77: voluntary revision of financial statements
- Annexure B, part 2: documents to attach
- Application to call an AGM: format
- Reopening and recasting accounts: sections 130 and 131
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.