Form DIR-3 KYC — Annual KYC of Directors

How to file

Step-by-step process — from trigger event to ROC approval.

1. 01
   Determine if web or e-form route applies

   If you filed DIR-3 KYC last year and your mobile, email and address are unchanged, you can use DIR-3 KYC Web (OTP-only). If this is your first KYC, your mobile or email has changed, or you missed last year's KYC, use the e-form with professional certification.

2. 02
   For the Web route — log in and complete OTP

   Log into the MCA portal with your DIN-linked user ID. Confirm pre-filled mobile and email. The portal sends OTPs to both — enter and submit. Verification is instant. No DSC or professional certification needed. No fee if before 30 September.

3. 03
   For the e-form route — collect documents

   Gather self-attested PAN, Aadhaar (or passport for foreign), current address proof, and a recent photograph. For NRIs and foreign nationals, get apostilled or consularised copies. Indian residents must also produce Aadhaar — even for individuals already holding the DIN.

4. 04
   Engage a practising CA, CS or CMA

   The e-form route requires certification by a CA, CS or CMA in whole-time practice. The professional verifies the documents, the photograph, and the declaration. Their DSC and membership number go on the form. Engagement letter and fee should be settled upfront.

5. 05
   Fill e-form, affix DSCs, and upload

   Download DIR-3 KYC e-form from MCA21. Fill personal particulars (PAN, Aadhaar, mobile, email, address). Attach all documents (PDF, under 200 KB each). Affix the DIN holder's Class 3 DSC and the certifying professional's DSC. Upload, pay nil fee (or ₹5,000 if deactivated DIN).

6. 06
   Verify status after submission

   Approval is typically same-day for web route and 1–3 working days for e-form. Check the DIN status under 'Verify DIN' on the MCA portal. It should read 'Approved' — not 'Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC'. Save the SRN as proof.

Attachments required

Documents to prepare before opening the e-form.

• Self-attested PAN copy of the DIN holder
• Self-attested Aadhaar copy (mandatory for Indian residents; passport for foreign nationals)
• Self-attested passport copy if held
• Self-attested current residential address proof (utility bill, bank statement, rent agreement — not older than 2 months for Indian addresses, 1 year for foreign addresses)
• Recent photograph
• Professional certification by a practising CA, CS or CMA (e-form route only)
• For foreign nationals — apostilled or consularised identity documents

Common pitfalls

Where filings get rejected, delayed, or flagged in due diligence.

• Confusing DIR-3 KYC e-form with DIR-3 KYC Web — the web version is a simpler OTP-only verification available only when no details have changed since last filing. First-time KYC or any change of mobile/email/address requires the e-form with professional certification.
• Letting the DIN deactivate before filing — once deactivated on 1 October, the DIN cannot be used to sign any e-form, board resolution, or annual return. A deactivated DIN signing AOC-4 or MGT-7 leads to filing rejection.
• Filing DIR-3 KYC Web when mobile/email has changed — the web route fails OTP and forces refiling via the e-form, by which time the deadline may have passed and ₹5,000 becomes payable.
• NRI/foreign directors using non-apostilled documents — passport copies must be apostilled (Hague Convention countries) or attested by the Indian embassy (non-Hague countries). Notary in the home country alone is not sufficient.
• Multiple DINs in the same name — Section 155 prohibits holding more than one DIN. Surrender duplicates via DIR-5 before filing KYC. Filing KYC against a duplicate DIN locks the surrender process.
• Forgetting to file DIR-3 KYC for a DIN where the holder is no longer a director — DIN is personal and survives directorship. KYC is mandatory for the DIN holder even if they hold no current directorship, until the DIN is surrendered via DIR-5.

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers to the questions CS and CA teams hear most.

Related forms

Filings that commonly trigger together with Form DIR-3 KYC.