DIR-3 KYC is an annual compliance filing under Rule 12A of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014. Every individual who has been allotted a Director Identification Number (DIN) must submit their KYC details to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) before 30 September each year.
Missing the deadline results in the DIN being deactivated and a ₹5,000 late fee to reactivate it — making DIR-3 KYC one of the most consequential routine compliance filings.
Who Must File DIR-3 KYC?
Every individual who holds a DIN as of 31 March of the preceding financial year must file DIR-3 KYC. This includes:
- Active directors on any company or LLP
- Resigned directors who still hold an active DIN
- Individuals who were allotted a DIN but never became a director
There is no exemption based on age, residency or company status. If you have a DIN, you must file.
Due Date
DIR-3 KYC must be filed on or before 30 September of every year for the preceding financial year.
| Financial Year | Due Date |
|---|---|
| FY 2024-25 | 30 September 2025 |
| FY 2025-26 | 30 September 2026 |
Late Fee for Missed DIR-3 KYC
The late fee structure for DIR-3 KYC is straightforward — and harsh:
- Filed on or before 30 September: No fee (nil government fee)
- Filed after 30 September: ₹5,000 per DIN, regardless of how late
Unlike most MCA forms where the fee scales with the delay, DIR-3 KYC has a single flat late fee of ₹5,000. There is no daily accrual — the full ₹5,000 becomes due the moment the deadline passes.
If the DIN remains deactivated, the director cannot be appointed or sign forms on the MCA portal until the KYC is filed and the fee paid.
Documents Required
| Document | Who Needs It |
|---|---|
| PAN card | All Indian nationals (mandatory) |
| Passport | All foreign nationals (mandatory); optional for Indians |
| Aadhaar card or utility bill | Permanent address proof |
| Personal mobile number | For OTP verification — must be the director's own number |
| Personal email ID | For OTP verification — must be the director's own email |
| Class 3 DSC | Digital Signature Certificate linked to the DIN |
Important: The mobile number and email must be accessible to the director personally — OTPs will be sent to both and must be entered during filing. They cannot be shared with the CA or company secretary.
Step-by-Step Filing Process on MCA V3
- Log in to the MCA V3 portal at mca.gov.in using the director's credentials
- Navigate to e-Forms → DIR-3-KYC under the MCA Services section
- Enter the DIN — the form will auto-populate existing details from the MCA database
- Verify and update personal details (name, father's name, nationality, date of birth)
- Enter and verify the personal mobile number via OTP
- Enter and verify the personal email ID via OTP
- Upload PAN, Aadhaar/passport and address proof
- Affix the director's Class 3 DSC
- Submit the form — the DIN status changes to Active immediately on successful submission
DIR-3 KYC Web vs DIR-3 KYC Form
MCA offers two variants:
- DIR-3 KYC Web: Available only if no details have changed from the previous year. A faster OTP-based process, no document uploads required.
- DIR-3 KYC (full form): Required for first-time filers, reactivation after deactivation, or any change in details (new mobile, email, address).
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection
- PAN or Aadhaar details that don't match what's in the NSDL/UIDAI database
- Mobile number or email already linked to another DIN in the MCA system
- Expired DSC or DSC linked to a different PAN than the one being filed
- Filing DIR-3 KYC for the wrong financial year
- Attempting to use DIR-3 KYC Web when details have changed — the portal accepts it but MCA may reject it in back-end processing
Bulk DIR-3 KYC for CS Firms and CFOs
For company secretaries and CFOs managing compliance for multiple directors or a portfolio of companies, tracking 30+ DINs across the September deadline is the hard part. Leagully tracks every director's KYC status across your portfolio, flags upcoming deadlines, and can coordinate the OTP-based verification workflow with directors — so no DIN goes deactivated on your watch.