DIN, DSC and Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC) — The 31 March 2026 Change, Due Dates, Documents and DIN Reactivation
Quick answer: A Director Identification Number is allotted once and stays with the person for life; it is applied for in SPICe+ for a new company's directors or in Form DIR-3 for an existing company, with PAN, Aadhaar, address proof and a photograph. A Digital Signature Certificate (Class 3) signs every MCA form and is sold in one-, two- and three-year validities. The Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 943(E) of 31 December 2025, in force from 31 March 2026) replaced the annual DIR-3 KYC with a filing once every three consecutive financial years, due by 30 June of the year following the third year; a missed filing deactivates the DIN until DIR-3 KYC is filed with a ₹5,000 fee. Many pages still say 30 September every year — that is the old rule.
Last verified 5 October 2026 — rules on this page checked against the current notifications. We update it the day a rule changes.
DIN, DSC and DIR-3 KYC — what each is
| Item | What it is | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| DIN | Unique director number from the MCA | One per person for life; no annual renewal; apply in SPICe+ (new company) or Form DIR-3 (existing company); documents: PAN, Aadhaar, proof of address, photo; foreign nationals use a passport with apostille or consular attestation; government fee confirmed at filing |
| DSC | Digital Signature Certificate, Class 3 | Signs MCA, GST, income-tax and tender filings; issued by a licensed certifying authority after video or physical verification; one-, two- and three-year certificates are sold; renew before it lapses — see tender DSC use |
| DIR-3 KYC | Periodic confirmation of a director's mobile, email and address | Triennial from 31 March 2026 — see below |
The new DIR-3 KYC rule
| Point | Old rule | From 31 March 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Every financial year | Once every three consecutive financial years (DIR-3 KYC Web) |
| Due date | 30 September | 30 June of the year immediately following the third financial year |
| Late fee / DIN reactivation | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000, filed with the unified form |
| Change of mobile, email or address | Updated in the annual KYC | Separate filing within 30 days (fee ₹500 for each event-based filing); it does not reset the three-year clock |
- Source: G.S.R. 943(E) of 31 December 2025 amending Rule 12A, in force from 31 March 2026. Practitioner pages disagree on the first due date for different DIN vintages and some still publish "30 September 2026" — we map each director's DIN date to his cycle on the MCA portal before advising
- A deactivated DIN blocks appointment, resignation and filing of the director's forms and shows on the company master data; reactivation needs the DIR-3 KYC filing with the late fee
- Directors disqualified under Section 164(2) must still complete KYC — see the annual filing calendar
What we do
- DIN applications, DSC procurement and renewals, DIR-3 KYC, DIN reactivation and director-detail updates; a KYC tracker for every director of your company
- Related changes: DIR-12 director changes, company changes, incorporation
Dates, forms and thresholds are quoted from the governing Act, rules and official portals; where a figure changes by notification or year, the page says so and we confirm it at filing rather than estimate.
Talk to us before you file anything
Frequently asked questions
What is a DIN?
A Director Identification Number — a unique number allotted by the MCA to a person who is or wants to be a director; it is issued once and remains valid for life.
What documents are needed for DIN?
PAN, Aadhaar, proof of address such as a bank statement or utility bill, and a passport-size photograph; foreign nationals use a passport with apostille or consular attestation.
What is the due date for DIR-3 KYC now?
Once every three consecutive financial years, by 30 June of the year following the third financial year, under the rule in force from 31 March 2026.
What is the penalty for missing DIR-3 KYC?
The DIN is deactivated and can be reactivated by filing DIR-3 KYC with a ₹5,000 fee.
Does changing my mobile number reset the three-year KYC cycle?
No — the change is reported separately within 30 days with a ₹500 fee, and the three-year due date stays where it was.
What is a DSC and which class do I need?
A Digital Signature Certificate that signs electronic filings; a Class 3 DSC is used for MCA, GST, income-tax and tender portals.
What is the DSC full form?
Digital Signature Certificate.
Is there an annual DIN renewal?
No — a DIN has no renewal; only the periodic KYC keeps it active.