{"id":2438,"date":"2026-11-12T12:49:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T07:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/?p=2438"},"modified":"2026-11-12T12:50:24","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T07:20:24","slug":"din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/","title":{"rendered":"DIN Number in India (2026): Application, KYC, Surrender &#038; Status"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to become a company director in India, the first thing you need is a Director Identification Number, or DIN. It is a small thing to get and an easy thing to neglect. In 2026 the rules around it changed, and a missed filing can lock you out of every company you are linked to. This guide walks through how a DIN works, how to get one, what it costs, and how to keep it active.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Note:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rules and fees on the MCA portal change often, and sources interpret parts of the 2026 amendment differently. Treat this as a practical overview and confirm dates and fees on the MCA website or with a Company Secretary or Chartered Accountant before filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor: pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#What_is_a_DIN_number\" title=\"What is a DIN number?\">What is a DIN number?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#How_to_apply_for_a_DIN\" title=\"How to apply for a DIN\">How to apply for a DIN<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#Government_fees_for_a_new_DIN\" title=\"Government fees for a new DIN\">Government fees for a new DIN<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#DIR-3_KYC_the_triennial_filing_requirement_2026_rule_change\" title=\"DIR-3 KYC: the triennial filing requirement (2026 rule change)\">DIR-3 KYC: the triennial filing requirement (2026 rule change)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#DIN_deactivation_and_reactivation\" title=\"DIN deactivation and reactivation\">DIN deactivation and reactivation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#DIN_surrender_using_form_DIR-5\" title=\"DIN surrender using form DIR-5\">DIN surrender using form DIR-5<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#Common_mistakes_with_DIN_management\" title=\"Common mistakes with DIN management\">Common mistakes with DIN management<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#How_Innov8_Virtual_Office_supports_MCA_compliance\" title=\"How Innov8 Virtual Office supports MCA compliance\">How Innov8 Virtual Office supports MCA compliance<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/din-number-in-india-2026-application-kyc-surrender-status\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" title=\"Frequently asked questions\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_DIN_number\"><\/span><b>What is a DIN number?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A DIN is a unique, lifelong identification number issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to anyone who is, or intends to become, a director of an Indian company or LLP designated partner. It is tied to you as a person, not to any one company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key points to know:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>One person, one DIN.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You cannot hold more than one. If you end up with two, you must surrender one.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It stays with you.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The same DIN is used across every company you join, and it remains yours after you resign from a board.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It is required for MCA filings.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Director appointments, annual returns and many other forms cannot be signed without an active DIN.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_apply_for_a_DIN\"><\/span><b>How to apply for a DIN<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two routes, depending on whether the company already exists.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b> Through company incorporation (SPICe+).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you are a proposed director of a new company, your details (PAN, Aadhaar, address, photograph and contact information) go in with the incorporation application. The DIN is allotted along with the Certificate of Incorporation. You do not file a separate DIN application, and there is generally no separate DIN fee in this route.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b> Through Form DIR-3 (existing company).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you are being appointed to a company that is already registered, you apply on the MCA portal using Form DIR-3. You will need:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PAN and Aadhaar<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of identity and proof of residential address<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A passport-size photograph<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A mobile number and email address that you control, since OTP verification is used<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A digital signature certificate (DSC) and professional certification, where the form requires them<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once MCA approves the application, the DIN is allotted. Check the current fee schedule on the portal before you file, because the amount depends on the form and applicant type.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Government_fees_for_a_new_DIN\"><\/span><b>Government fees for a new DIN<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a company being newly incorporated, the DIN comes bundled into SPICe+, so there is typically no stand-alone DIN fee. For a standalone DIR-3 application, a government fee may apply, and professional fees from a CA or CS are charged on top. Always confirm the current figure on the MCA fee page rather than relying on an older blog post.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fees that matter most day to day are the ones tied to KYC, covered next.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DIR-3_KYC_the_triennial_filing_requirement_2026_rule_change\"><\/span><b>DIR-3 KYC: the triennial filing requirement (2026 rule change)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the biggest change in recent years. Until 2025-26, every DIN holder had to file DIR-3 KYC every year by 30 September, whether or not anything had changed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified on 31 December 2025 and effective from 31 March 2026, replaced Rule 12A and moved this to a three-year cycle. What changed:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><b>Before 31 March 2026<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>From 31 March 2026<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequency<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every financial year<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once every three financial years<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due date<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30 September<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30 June of the relevant year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Form<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIR-3 KYC e-form and DIR-3 KYC Web<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIR-3 KYC Web<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two things are worth understanding clearly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The triennial filing.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you hold a DIN as on 31 March of a financial year, you file DIR-3 KYC Web once every third consecutive financial year, by 30 June. Filing on time carries no government fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The change-based filing.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Separately from the three-year cycle, if your mobile number, email address or residential address changes, you must file DIR-3 KYC Web within 30 days of the change. This carries a fee of \u20b9500 per filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A practical caution: commentators currently read the exact timing of the first triennial deadline in slightly different ways, and some still point to 30 September 2026 for certain directors. If you are unsure when <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> next filing falls, check your DIN status on the MCA portal or ask a professional rather than assuming you have a fresh three years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DIN_deactivation_and_reactivation\"><\/span><b>DIN deactivation and reactivation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a required KYC filing is missed, the MCA marks the DIN as <\/span><b>&#8220;Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC.&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In practice this matters more than the filing itself, because a deactivated DIN generally blocks you from signing MCA forms. That can stall filings such as AOC-4 and MGT-7 for every company or LLP you are associated with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fix is straightforward:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File DIR-3 KYC Web with the current details.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose the reactivation option and pay the flat <\/span><b>\u20b95,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fee.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wait for MCA to process it, after which the DIN returns to active status.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same \u20b95,000 fee applies to late filing generally. Deactivation is reversible. It is a penalty and an inconvenience, not a permanent loss of your DIN.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summary of the KYC-related fees:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Situation<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Government fee<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIR-3 KYC Web filed within the due date<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nil<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Filed late, or to reactivate a deactivated DIN<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b95,000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Filed for a change in details<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b9500 per filing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DIN_surrender_using_form_DIR-5\"><\/span><b>DIN surrender using form DIR-5<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surrender is different from deactivation, and the two are often confused. Surrender is permanent for the DIN you give up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Form DIR-5 is used when you hold more than one DIN, typically because an earlier application was not tracked and a second DIR-3 was filed. You keep one DIN and surrender the other. It is also the form for surrendering a DIN you no longer need, usually only where you are not a director or designated partner anywhere and have no pending obligations linked to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few important points:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Do not use DIR-5 to fix a deactivated DIN.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If your DIN was deactivated for missing KYC, you reactivate it by filing KYC with the \u20b95,000 fee. Surrendering it would be the wrong move.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep the DIN you actually use.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When surrendering a duplicate, make sure the one you retain is linked to your current company records.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Resigning as a director does not cancel your DIN.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The number remains, and so does the KYC obligation unless you formally surrender it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_mistakes_with_DIN_management\"><\/span><b>Common mistakes with DIN management<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Assuming resignation ends KYC duty.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The filing trigger is holding a DIN, not sitting on a board today.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Forgetting the 30-day change rule.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Changing your phone number or moving house starts a deadline that many directors miss.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Treating the triennial rule as &#8220;no filing for three years.&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The routine filing is less frequent, but change-based filings and the correct anchor year still apply.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Applying for a second DIN.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This creates a duplicate that has to be cleaned up through DIR-5.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Using an email or mobile number you no longer control.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> OTP verification fails and filings get delayed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ignoring status until a filing fails.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many directors only discover a deactivated DIN when AOC-4 or MGT-7 is rejected.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Innov8_Virtual_Office_supports_MCA_compliance\"><\/span><b>How Innov8 Virtual Office supports MCA compliance<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIN and KYC compliance runs on accurate, current details, and the address is one of the details that most often goes out of date. A virtual office can help a company keep its registered-address records stable and reliable, and handle the practical side of receiving official mail and notices at that address. That means fewer chances of a missed communication and fewer address changes to report.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are setting up a company and need a registered office address for incorporation, ask your provider what documents they supply for address proof and how they handle government correspondence. Confirm the specifics directly with the provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Related Readings:-<\/p>\n<p class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/how-to-verify-a-company-on-the-mca-portal-2026-step-by-step-guide\/\">How to Verify a Company on the MCA Portal (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.innov8.work\/blog\/why-use-a-virtual-office-address-as-your-companys-registered-office\/\">Why Use a Virtual Office Address as Your Company\u2019s Registered Office?<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span><b>Frequently asked questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Que:<b> Can I have more than one DIN?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\nAns- No. Only one DIN is allowed per person. If you have two, surrender the extra one using DIR-5.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Que: Does a DIN expire?<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ans- No. A DIN is valid for life, but it can be deactivated if you miss required KYC filings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Que: Is DIR-3 KYC still annual?<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ans- No. From 31 March 2026, routine KYC is filed once every three financial years, with change-based filings required within 30 days of a change in your details.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Que: What happens if I miss the deadline?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\nAns- Your DIN is deactivated, and reactivation requires filing DIR-3 KYC Web and paying \u20b95,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Que: Do I need DIR-5 if my DIN is deactivated?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\nAns- No. DIR-5 is for surrendering a DIN. A deactivated DIN is reactivated through KYC filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Que: Do I need to file KYC if I have resigned as a director?<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ans- If you still hold a DIN, the KYC obligation continues. If you no longer need the DIN, you can consider surrendering it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Que: Do foreign nationals need a DIN?<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ans- Yes, if they are to be a director of an Indian company. The process is similar, with requirements around identity and address documents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Que: Where can I check my DIN status?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\nAns- On the MCA portal, which shows whether a DIN is approved, active or deactivated.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you want to become a company director in India, the first thing you need is a Director Identification Number, or DIN. It is a small thing to get and an easy thing to neglect. In 2026 the rules around it changed, and a missed filing can lock you out of every company you are linked to. This guide walks through how a DIN works, how to get one, what it costs, and how to keep it active. Note: Rules and fees on the MCA portal change often, and sources interpret parts of the 2026 amendment differently. Treat this as a practical overview and confirm dates and fees on the MCA website or with a Company Secretary or Chartered Accountant before filing. What is a DIN number? A DIN is a unique, lifelong identification number issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to anyone who is, or intends to become, a director of an Indian company or LLP designated partner. It is tied to you as a person, not to any one company. Key points to know: One person, one DIN. You cannot hold more than one. If you end up with two, you must surrender one. It stays with you. The same DIN is used across every company you join, and it remains yours after you resign from a board. It is required for MCA filings. Director appointments, annual returns and many other forms cannot be signed without an active DIN. How to apply for a DIN There are two routes, depending on whether the company already exists. Through company incorporation (SPICe+). If you are a proposed director of a new company, your details (PAN, Aadhaar, address, photograph and contact information) go in with the incorporation application. The DIN is allotted along with the Certificate of Incorporation. You do not file a separate DIN application, and there is generally no separate DIN fee in this route. Through Form DIR-3 (existing company). If you are being appointed to a company that is already registered, you apply on the MCA portal using Form DIR-3. You will need: PAN and Aadhaar Proof of identity and proof of residential address A passport-size photograph A mobile number and email address that you control, since OTP verification is used A digital signature certificate (DSC) and professional certification, where the form requires them Once MCA approves the application, the DIN is allotted. Check the current fee schedule on the portal before you file, because the amount depends on the form and applicant type. Government fees for a new DIN For a company being newly incorporated, the DIN comes bundled into SPICe+, so there is typically no stand-alone DIN fee. For a standalone DIR-3 application, a government fee may apply, and professional fees from a CA or CS are charged on top. Always confirm the current figure on the MCA fee page rather than relying on an older blog post. The fees that matter most day to day are the ones tied to KYC, covered next. DIR-3 KYC: the triennial filing requirement (2026 rule change) This is the biggest change in recent years. Until 2025-26, every DIN holder had to file DIR-3 KYC every year by 30 September, whether or not anything had changed. The Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified on 31 December 2025 and effective from 31 March 2026, replaced Rule 12A and moved this to a three-year cycle. What changed: Before 31 March 2026 From 31 March 2026 Frequency Every financial year Once every three financial years Due date 30 September 30 June of the relevant year Form DIR-3 KYC e-form and DIR-3 KYC Web DIR-3 KYC Web Two things are worth understanding clearly. The triennial filing. If you hold a DIN as on 31 March of a financial year, you file DIR-3 KYC Web once every third consecutive financial year, by 30 June. Filing on time carries no government fee. The change-based filing. Separately from the three-year cycle, if your mobile number, email address or residential address changes, you must file DIR-3 KYC Web within 30 days of the change. This carries a fee of \u20b9500 per filing. A practical caution: commentators currently read the exact timing of the first triennial deadline in slightly different ways, and some still point to 30 September 2026 for certain directors. If you are unsure when your next filing falls, check your DIN status on the MCA portal or ask a professional rather than assuming you have a fresh three years. DIN deactivation and reactivation If a required KYC filing is missed, the MCA marks the DIN as &#8220;Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC.&#8221; In practice this matters more than the filing itself, because a deactivated DIN generally blocks you from signing MCA forms. That can stall filings such as AOC-4 and MGT-7 for every company or LLP you are associated with. The fix is straightforward: File DIR-3 KYC Web with the current details. Choose the reactivation option and pay the flat \u20b95,000 fee. Wait for MCA to process it, after which the DIN returns to active status. The same \u20b95,000 fee applies to late filing generally. Deactivation is reversible. It is a penalty and an inconvenience, not a permanent loss of your DIN. Summary of the KYC-related fees: Situation Government fee DIR-3 KYC Web filed within the due date Nil Filed late, or to reactivate a deactivated DIN \u20b95,000 Filed for a change in details \u20b9500 per filing DIN surrender using form DIR-5 Surrender is different from deactivation, and the two are often confused. Surrender is permanent for the DIN you give up. Form DIR-5 is used when you hold more than one DIN, typically because an earlier application was not tracked and a second DIR-3 was filed. You keep one DIN and surrender the other. It is also the form for surrendering a DIN you no longer need, usually only where you are not a director or designated partner anywhere and have no pending obligations linked to it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[964,967,965,970,969,971,968,966],"class_list":["post-2438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-future-of-work","tag-din","tag-din-activation-charges","tag-din-application-fee","tag-din-generation","tag-din-surrender-process","tag-how-to-activate-din","tag-in-din","tag-in-the-din"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>DIN Number in India (2026): Application, KYC, Surrender &amp; 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