How to Get DIN Number Online in India (2026 Guide)

A Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique 8-digit number the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) gives to every person who wants to be a director of an Indian company. You can get it online in two ways. If you are forming a new company, you get it through the SPICe+ incorporation form, free, for up to 3 directors. If you are joining an existing company, you file Form DIR-3 on the MCA V3 portal with a ₹500 fee.

The biggest change in 2026: DIN KYC is no longer an annual filing. From 31 March 2026, directors file periodic KYC once every three financial years, by 30 June. They also file an update within 30 days if their mobile number, email or address changes.

This guide is for founders registering a company, professionals joining a board, and existing directors who want to keep their DIN active.

What is a DIN?

A DIN is a director's permanent ID with the MCA. One person gets only one DIN for life, however many companies they join. The MCA uses it to track every directorship, filing and default linked to that person.

You quote your DIN in company filings, board resolutions, financial statements and annual returns. Holding two DINs is an offence, and appointing someone as a director without a valid DIN is not allowed.

LLPs use the same number. A designated partner's DPIN is the same as a DIN.

Who Needs a DIN?

New Founders

Anyone named as a first director when incorporating a private limited, OPC or public company. SPICe+ can allot DIN to up to 3 proposed directors in the same form.

Incoming Directors

A person being appointed to the board of an existing company must already hold a DIN, or apply through Form DIR-3 before the appointment is filed.

Designated Partners

Designated partners of an LLP need a DIN/DPIN. New LLPs get it through the FiLLiP incorporation form; existing LLPs apply through DIR-3.

Foreign Nationals

Non-Indian directors can get a DIN using a notarised or apostilled passport and an Indian Class 3 DSC. Processing usually takes a little longer.

Two Ways to Get DIN Online: SPICe+ vs DIR-3

Rule of thumb: If you're starting a company, don't file DIR-3 separately. Let SPICe+ allot the DIN and save the fee and time.

How to Apply for DIN Through Form DIR-3: Step-by-Step

Get DSC

Buy a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate from a licensed certifying authority. The name on the DSC must exactly match the name on your PAN.

Register on MCA

Create a Business User account on the MCA V3 portal (mca.gov.in), verify your email and mobile with OTP, and associate your DSC with the account.

Open DIR-3

Go to MCA Services → Company Forms Download / e-Forms and open Form DIR-3. Fill in your name, father's name, date of birth, nationality, PAN, Aadhaar and address.

Upload Documents

Attach your photograph, PAN, proof of identity and proof of address. Address proof should normally be no older than two months, and every name must match your PAN.

Company Verification

The form is verified by a director, company secretary, CEO or CFO of the company where you'll be appointed, using their DSC. Check the current verification rules on the form itself.

Pay & Submit

Sign with your DSC, pay the ₹500 fee online and note the SRN. Approved DINs are emailed and visible on the MCA portal, usually within 3–5 working days.

Documents Required for DIN

PAN Card

Mandatory for Indian nationals. Your name, date of birth and father's name must match the PAN exactly, or the application is likely to be rejected.

Identity Proof

Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence. Foreign nationals must submit a passport, notarised or apostilled as required.

Address Proof

A recent bank statement, electricity, telephone or mobile bill, usually not older than two months, in the applicant's own name.

Photograph

A recent passport-size colour photograph with a clear face and plain background, scanned to the size the form accepts.

Class 3 DSC

The applicant's DSC, registered on the MCA portal. Foreign nationals need a DSC issued by an Indian certifying authority.

DIN Fees and Timeline

DIN KYC Rules from 2026: Every 3 Years, Not Every Year

The MCA notified the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 943(E), 31 December 2025), effective 31 March 2026.

What this means for you: if your KYC was up to date under the old system, reports indicate your next periodic KYC falls due by 30 June 2028. Confirm the exact date for your DIN on the MCA portal. You still have to report any change in your mobile, email or address within 30 days.

How to Check DIN Status on the MCA Portal

You can check whether a DIN is Approved, Active or Deactivated for free:

1. Go to mca.gov.in → MCA Services → Master Data.
2. Choose View Director Master Data (or the DIN-PAN verification service).
3. Enter the DIN and captcha.
4. The result shows the director's name, DIN status and the companies they're associated with.

For a detailed walkthrough, read our guide on DIN status check.

Common Reasons DIN Applications Get Rejected

Name Mismatch

Your name in the form, PAN, DSC and Aadhaar must match letter for letter. Even a missing middle name or a different spelling can trigger a resubmission.

Old Address Proof

Address proof older than two months, or in someone else's name, is a frequent reason for resubmission. Use a recent bank statement or utility bill.

Unclear Photo

Blurred, cropped or selfie-style photos are often rejected. Use a proper passport-size photo with a plain background.

Duplicate DIN

Applying again when you already hold a DIN is not allowed. Search your PAN on the MCA portal first, and surrender any duplicate through Form DIR-5.

Wrong Verifier

For DIR-3, verification must come from the right person at the company. A DSC not registered on MCA also causes failure.

Benefits of Getting Your DIN Right the First Time

Faster Incorporation

When DIN is allotted through SPICe+, your company and directors are registered together, avoiding a separate DIR-3 filing and delay.

Lifetime ID

One DIN serves you for every company you ever join. No new application is needed for future directorships.

Clean Record

An active DIN with timely KYC keeps you eligible for appointments, bank account openings and lender due diligence without awkward questions.

Investor Confidence

Investors and banks check director master data. An active, correctly linked DIN signals that the company's governance is in order.

Avoid Penalties

Correct and timely KYC avoids deactivation and the ₹5,000 reactivation fee, and keeps company filings from getting stuck.

How to Update or Surrender a DIN

Practical Example

Riya and Arjun are registering a private limited company in Pune, with Arjun's father as a third director. They name all three as directors in SPICe+. When the company is incorporated, all three get DINs with the Certificate of Incorporation. They pay no DIR-3 fee and avoid a separate approval wait.

Six months later the company brings in an investor-nominee director, Meera. As the company already exists, Meera files Form DIR-3, which is verified by Riya as a director, and pays ₹500. Her DIN is approved in four working days, and the company then files DIR-12 for her appointment.

Latest Updates (2026)

• DIN KYC every 3 years: The annual DIR-3 KYC requirement was replaced by periodic KYC every three financial years, due by 30 June, effective 31 March 2026.
• Event-based updates: Directors must report changes in mobile, email or address within 30 days.
• Single KYC form: DIR-3 KYC and DIR-3 KYC Web are merged into Form DIR-3 KYC Web.
• MCA V3 portal: All DIN forms are now filed on the MCA V3 (web-based) portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I get a DIN number online? File Form DIR-3 on the MCA V3 portal with your DSC, PAN, ID and address proof, and pay ₹500. If you're incorporating a new company, get it free through SPICe+ instead.

2. What is the fee for DIN? ₹500 for Form DIR-3. There's no separate fee when DIN is allotted through SPICe+ during incorporation.

3. How long does it take to get a DIN? Usually 3–5 working days for DIR-3, and alongside the Certificate of Incorporation for SPICe+. Foreign nationals may take a few days longer.

4. How do I check DIN status on MCA? Use MCA Services → Master Data → View Director Master Data, enter the DIN and captcha. The status shows as approved, active or deactivated.

5. Is DIR-3 KYC still required every year? No. From 31 March 2026, periodic DIN KYC is due once every three financial years by 30 June. You still update changes in mobile, email or address within 30 days.

6. What happens if I miss DIN KYC? The DIN is marked deactivated. You can reactivate it by filing DIR-3 KYC Web with a ₹5,000 fee.

7. Can one person have two DINs? No. One person can hold only one DIN for life. A duplicate DIN must be surrendered through Form DIR-5.

8. Does a DIN expire? No. A DIN is valid for life, but it can be deactivated for missed KYC or cancelled by the MCA in cases such as death, duplication or a court order.

9. Can a foreign national get a DIN? Yes. Foreign nationals apply with a notarised or apostilled passport and a DSC from an Indian certifying authority.

10. Is DIN the same as DPIN for LLPs? Yes. A designated partner of an LLP uses the same number, called DIN or DPIN.

Conclusion

Getting a DIN is simple once you choose the right route. Use SPICe+ if you're forming a company and Form DIR-3 if you're joining an existing one. Most delays come from name mismatches and old address proofs, so check these before you file.

Most importantly, note the 2026 change: DIN KYC is now due once every three years, but any change in your contact details must still be reported within 30 days.

Need help with DIN, DSC or director appointment filings? Contact StartupFlora and our compliance team will handle it end to end.

Disclaimer

StartupFlora is a consulting and advisory firm. Rules and fees are based on MCA notifications available at the time of writing; please confirm current requirements on the MCA portal before filing.