Sections 153, 154, 155 and 156 of the Companies Act, 2013: Director Identification Number (DIN)
Sections 153 to 156 of the Companies Act, 2013 form the core statutory framework for applying for a Director Identification Number, its allotment by the Central Government, the prohibition against holding more than one DIN, and the duty of an existing director to intimate the DIN to the company.
Meaning of Director Identification Number (DIN)
A Director Identification Number is the unique identification number allotted under the statutory framework governing directors. It is intended to identify an individual acting or proposing to act as a director. Section 155 reinforces the uniqueness of the DIN by prohibiting an individual who already has a DIN from applying for, obtaining or possessing another DIN.
| Section | Subject | Core requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 153 | Application for allotment of DIN | An individual intending to be appointed as director must apply to the Central Government in the prescribed form and manner with the prescribed fee, subject to the statutory proviso. |
| 154 | Allotment of DIN | The Central Government is to allot DIN within one month from receipt of the application under Section 153, in the prescribed manner. |
| 155 | More than one DIN prohibited | A person already allotted a DIN must not apply for, obtain or possess another DIN. |
| 156 | Director to intimate DIN | An existing director must intimate the DIN to the company or companies in which the person is a director within the statutory period. |
Section 153 - Application for allotment of Director Identification Number
Section 153 requires every individual intending to be appointed as a director of a company to make an application for allotment of a DIN to the Central Government in the prescribed form and manner and with the prescribed fee.
The proviso inserted by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 with effect from 9 February 2018 permits the Central Government to prescribe another identification number that may be treated as a DIN for the purposes of the Act. Where an individual holds or acquires such prescribed identification number, the Section 153 requirement may not apply, or may apply in the prescribed manner.
Form DIR-3 and the present filing framework
Under Rule 9 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, the DIN application framework is implemented through the prescribed MCA process. The current MCA instruction kit states that Form DIR-3 is used by an individual not having a DIN who intends to be appointed as a director in an existing company or a designated partner in an existing LLP. Incorporation-related DIN allotment may operate through the applicable incorporation forms and rules rather than a standalone DIR-3 application.
Section 154 - Allotment of Director Identification Number
Section 154 provides that the Central Government shall, within one month from receipt of an application under Section 153, allot a Director Identification Number to the applicant in the prescribed manner. The procedural requirements should be read with the applicable rules and MCA filing instructions.
Section 155 - Prohibition to obtain more than one Director Identification Number
Section 155 provides that an individual who has already been allotted a DIN under Section 154 shall not apply for, obtain or possess another DIN. Applicants should therefore ensure that no DIN or DPIN has already been allotted before making a fresh application.
Section 156 - Director to intimate Director Identification Number
Section 156 requires every existing director, within one month of receiving the DIN from the Central Government, to intimate that DIN to the company or all companies in which the individual is a director. The related company-level obligation to furnish directors' DINs to the Registrar is addressed separately in Section 157.
Practical compliance points
Before a DIN-related filing, verify whether a DIN or DPIN already exists, use the current MCA form applicable to the proposed appointment or incorporation route, ensure the supporting identity particulars are consistent, and follow the current digital signature and certification requirements. Because MCA forms and procedural rules can change, the current MCA portal and instruction kit should be checked before filing.
Official resources
This article is a general legal information resource. For a filing, use the current statutory text, rules, notifications and MCA webforms applicable on the date of filing.