Updated: 17 September 2026

Section 201 of Companies Act 2013: Forms and Procedure for Certain Applications

Section 201 of the Companies Act, 2013 prescribes procedural requirements for a company making an application to the Central Government under Section 196. It deals with the prescribed form of application, prior notice to members, newspaper publication and the documents that must accompany the application.

Meaning and Scope of Section 201

Section 201 forms part of Chapter XIII of the Companies Act, 2013, which deals with appointment and remuneration of managerial personnel. In its present form, Section 201 applies where an application is required to be made by a company to the Central Government under Section 196.

The provision is procedural. It requires the application to be made in the prescribed form and requires advance disclosure to the company's members. It also prescribes newspaper publication and proof of publication before the application is submitted.

Section 201 - Forms of, and Procedure in Relation to, Certain Applications

Procedure Required by Section 201

1. Application in the prescribed form

An application to the Central Government under Section 196 must be made in the form prescribed under the applicable Companies Rules and filing framework. Companies should verify the currently applicable MCA form, filing instructions, attachments and fee requirements on the MCA portal before filing.

2. General notice to members

Before the application is made, the company must issue a general notice to its members. The notice must indicate the nature of the proposed application so that members are informed before the matter is placed before the Central Government.

3. Newspaper publication

The notice must be published at least once in a newspaper in the principal language of the district where the company's registered office is situated and circulating in that district. It must also be published at least once in English in an English newspaper circulating in that district.

4. Proof of publication

Copies of the published notices must be attached to the application. A certificate by the company confirming due publication must also accompany the application.

How Section 201 Relates to Section 196

Section 196 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with the appointment of a managing director, whole-time director or manager and lays down statutory conditions governing such appointments. Section 201 supplies the procedural requirements where an application under Section 196 is required to be made to the Central Government.

Amendment Effective from 12 September 2018

Section 70 of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 amended Section 201. In sub-section (1), the words referring generally to "this Chapter" were replaced by a reference to "section 196". In sub-section (2)(a), the wider expression referring to the earlier sections was likewise replaced by "section 196". The amendment therefore limits the statutory procedure in Section 201 to the applications contemplated under Section 196.

Practical Compliance Points

Before filing, the company should identify the precise requirement for Central Government approval under Section 196, use the current prescribed electronic form and instructions, ensure that the member notice correctly describes the proposed application, complete both required newspaper publications, and retain copies and the company's certificate of due publication for attachment. Current MCA filing requirements should be checked because forms and portal procedures may change without altering the wording of Section 201 itself.

Official Resources

For the authoritative legislation and current filing environment, refer to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and India Code. Users should verify current rules, notifications, forms and filing instructions before taking compliance action.