Rules 9 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.
A Director Identification Number (DIN) is the identity number of every director. Rule 9 explains how a person to be appointed in an existing company applies for one in Form DIR-3, rule 10 explains how the application is processed and the number allotted, and rule 10A deals with intimating the DIN to the company. This article is as amended up to G.S.R. 943(E) dated 31 December 2025 per the MCA e-book. Later amendments should be checked before you rely on it. For help with a DIN, see our DIN allotment service.
A person intending to be appointed as a director of an existing company applies electronically in Form DIR-3, with the fee under the Registration Offices and Fees Rules, signed with his own digital signature and verified digitally by a company secretary in full time employment, the managing director, a director, the CEO or the CFO of the company. The Central Government decides within one month of receipt. A DIN is valid for the life-time of the applicant and is never allotted to anyone else.
Rule 9(1): who applies and how
Every applicant who intends to be appointed as a director of an existing company applies electronically in Form DIR-3 to the Central Government for a DIN, with the fees provided in the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014; see our article on fees under those rules. The proviso says that for proposed directors without an approved DIN, the particulars of a maximum of three directors can be mentioned in Form INC-32 (SPICe), and DIN may be allotted to a maximum of three proposed directors through that form. The rule heading was substituted in 2018 and now reads "before appointment in an existing company".
Rule 9(2) and (3): the system, documents and verification
- Electronic system. The Central Government provides an electronic system on the Ministry's portal.
- Documents. The applicant fills in the form, verifies and signs it, and files electronically with: a photograph, proof of identity, proof of residence, a Board resolution proposing his appointment as director in an existing company, and a specimen signature duly verified.
- Signing and verification (clause (b)). The form is signed and submitted using the applicant's own digital signature certificate and is verified digitally by a company secretary in full time employment of the company, or by the managing director, director, CEO or CFO of the company in which the applicant is intended to be appointed.
Rule 9(4): a person without a last name
If a person does not have a last name, his or her father's or grandfather's surname is mentioned in the last name field, with a declaration in Form DIR-3A.
Rule 10: allotment
| Sub-rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| 10(1) | On submission of DIR-3 on the portal and payment of the fees online, the system automatically generates an application number. A proviso says no application number is generated where the applicant is a national of a country sharing a land border with India, unless necessary security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs is attached |
| 10(2) | The Central Government processes the application, decides on approval or rejection and communicates it, with the DIN in case of approval, by post, electronically or otherwise within one month from the receipt of the application |
| 10(3) | If the application is defective or incomplete, the defect is placed on the website and emailed, and the applicant must rectify it by resubmitting within fifteen days |
| 10(3) provisos | The Government (a) rejects the application and directs a fresh one if the defect has been rectified only partially or information is still defective; (b) labels it invalid in the electronic record if defects are not removed in time; and (c) informs the applicant |
| 10(4) | On rejection or invalidation, the fee paid is neither refunded nor adjusted against any other application |
| 10(5) | DINs allotted before the commencement of the rules are deemed allotted under them |
| 10(6) | A DIN is valid for the life-time of the applicant and shall not be allotted to any other person |
The 2022 proviso to rule 10(1) is the land-border security clearance. The earlier concept of a "provisional DIN" no longer appears in the text; the system now generates an application number.
Rule 10A: intimating the DIN to the company
Two obligations are set out:
- Directors in office on or before 30 June 2007. Every director functioning as a director in one or more companies on or before 30 June 2007 and who has not yet intimated his DIN to the company or companies must, within one month of receipt of the DIN from the Central Government, intimate it to every company where he is a director, in Form DIR-3B.
- Company's intimation to the Registrar. The company's intimation of the DINs of its directors under section 157 of the Act must be furnished in Form DIR-3C within fifteen days of receipt of intimation under section 156.
Section 153 onwards of the Act deal with the DIN itself; see our post on sections 153 to 159 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The process in a table
| Stage | Who | Time limit as printed |
|---|---|---|
| File DIR-3 with documents and Board resolution | Applicant, verified by the company's officer | Before appointment |
| Application number generated | System | On submission and online fee payment |
| Decision and DIN communicated | Central Government | Within one month of receipt |
| Rectify defects | Applicant | Within fifteen days of the notice |
| Intimate DIN to company (old directors) | Director | Within one month of receipt of DIN |
| Company's DIR-3C | Company | Within fifteen days of intimation |
A worked example
Triveni Logistics Limited plans to appoint Ms. Sanya Verma, who has no DIN. The Board passes a resolution proposing her appointment. Sanya fills DIR-3, attaches her photograph, identity and residence proofs, the resolution and a specimen signature, signs with her own digital signature and her company secretary on full time employment verifies it digitally. The portal generates an application number once the fee is paid. The Government decides within one month. If the portal flags a defect, she resubmits within fifteen days; if she corrects it only partly, the application is rejected and the fee is not refunded. One DIN, for life, belongs only to her; see our article on one person, one DIN.
For the practical steps, our guide to filing Form DIR-3 is a companion, and the next rules cover cancellation, surrender and DIR-6.
Need help with a DIN?
An application returned for a defect costs time and, once invalid, the fee. Our DIN allotment team can prepare the DIR-3, arrange the verification and follow the application to allotment.
Key takeaways
- DIR-3 is filed by a person to be appointed in an existing company, with a Board resolution and own digital signature, verified by the company's officer.
- A maximum of three proposed directors can be taken through INC-32 (SPICe).
- The Central Government decides within one month; defects must be fixed within fifteen days.
- A rejected or invalid application's fee is not refunded or adjusted.
- A DIN is for life and unique; old directors intimate it by DIR-3B, and the company files DIR-3C within fifteen days.
Read next
- Rules 11 and 12: DIN surrender, deactivation and DIR-6
- Rules 12A and 12B: DIR-3 KYC and ACTIVE
- One person, one DIN: surrender of an extra DIN
- How to file Form DIR-3
Disclaimer: Based on the Companies Act, 2013 rules (and the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2020) named above as consolidated in the MCA e-book (consulted on 3 October 2026), with the later notifications the article names. Later amendments, fees, forms 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.