Year of Incorporation: Meaning, Compliance, and How to Check

When you see a company proudly display “Established 2005” on its website or business card, that number represents more than just a date — it’s the company’s year of incorporation. In simple terms, the year of incorporation is the calendar year in which a company was legally formed and registered under the Companies Act. In Hindi, this is often referred to as the कंपनी का ‘स्थापना वर्ष’ or ‘पंजीकरण वर्ष’.

The incorporation process officially begins when the company’s founders file incorporation documents with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) under India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Once approved, the company receives its Certificate of Incorporation (COI), which states the official date of incorporation that is, the day, month, and year the company came into legal existence.

For instance, if the COI of a company shows 12 August 2020, then its year of incorporation is 2020. Many businesses use this year in their branding (e.g., “Established 2020”) to reflect their experience and credibility.

How to Find a Company’s Year of Incorporation on the MCA Portal

Finding a company’s year of incorporation in India is simple and free. Here’s how you can do it via the official MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) website:

1. Visit mca.gov.in.
2. Go to the “MCA Services” section.
3. Click on “Master Data” → “View Company/LLP Master Data.”
4. Enter either the company’s name or its Corporate Identification Number (CIN).
5. Submit the details.

You’ll get a detailed company profile, including:

• Company name
• CIN
• Company status (Active/Struck Off)
• Date of Incorporation
• Registered office address

The “Date of Incorporation” field shows the company’s exact registration date. The year portion of that date is the company’s year of incorporation.

Example:
If the MCA Master Data lists Date of Incorporation: 15 March 2015, the year of incorporation is 2015.

This process applies to all entities registered under the MCA private limited companies, public limited companies, and LLPs alike.

Difference Between Incorporation Date and Commencement Date

A common confusion arises between the date of incorporation and the date of commencement of business.

• Incorporation Date: The date the company is officially registered with the Registrar of Companies. It marks the legal birth of the company.
• Commencement Date: The date the company is allowed to start business operations.

Until 2019, every company with share capital had to file a Certificate of Commencement of Business (COB) within 180 days of incorporation using Form INC-20A. This declared that the company had deposited its share capital and was ready to begin operations.

Failing to file INC-20A could result in penalties or even the company being struck off by the RoC.

So, while the date of incorporation is about legal registration, the date of commencement is about actual business activity.

How to Verify Incorporation Details Online

If you wish to verify a company’s incorporation details — including its year — the MCA portal is the most reliable source.

Steps to verify:

1. Visit mca.gov.in.
2. Navigate to MCA Services → Master Data → View Company Master Data.
3. Search by company name or CIN.

If you need an official copy of the incorporation certificate:

• Go to MCA Services → Get Certified Copies.
• Enter the company’s CIN.
• Download the Certificate of Incorporation (Form INC-11), which will show the exact date of formation.

This certificate is essentially the company’s birth certificate, digitally signed by the RoC.

Why the Year of Incorporation Matters

The year of incorporation is more than a historical detail — it shapes compliance timelines, taxes, and credibility.

1. Legal and Compliance Timelines

All key compliance dates (like the first Annual General Meeting, first audit, and annual return filings) are calculated from the incorporation date.
For example:

• The first Board Meeting must be held within 30 days of incorporation.
• The first AGM must be held within 9 months of the end of the first financial year, which starts from the incorporation date.

2. Taxation and Accounting

The company’s first financial year begins on or after the incorporation date. The incorporation year also determines the due dates for:

• PAN/TAN allotment
• First income tax filing
• GST registration and filings

3. Reputation and Credibility

The older the incorporation year, the more trust the company commands. Investors and lenders often prefer companies that have been incorporated longer, viewing them as stable and experienced.

How to Check Incorporation Year Using CIN

Every Indian company gets a Corporate Identification Number (CIN) from the RoC.
The CIN is a 21-character alphanumeric code, and it includes the year of incorporation within it.

Example:
CIN: L17110MH1973PLC019786
Here, “1973” denotes the year of incorporation — the same year Reliance Industries Limited was registered.

In any CIN:

• The 8th to 11th characters represent the incorporation year.
  So, if you see “2010” in that segment, the company was incorporated in 2010.

This makes CIN a quick reference for identifying a company’s incorporation year.

Documents That Display the Incorporation Year

1. Certificate of Incorporation (COI):
   The primary legal document confirming the date (and therefore year) of formation.
2. MCA Master Data Record:
   Shows the “Date of Incorporation.”
3. Corporate Identification Number (CIN):
   Embeds the year within the code.
4. Annual Reports and Legal Filings:
   These often mention “Incorporated in [Year]” in the header or company profile.

How to Download Certificate of Incorporation from MCA

To download the COI:

1. Go to MCA Services → Get Certified Copies.
2. Enter the company’s CIN.
3. View the list of available certified documents.
4. Download the INC-11 Certificate of Incorporation (PDF).

This document includes the company’s name, address, CIN, and official incorporation date — making it the ultimate proof of incorporation.

Year of Incorporation for LLPs and Startups

For LLPs, the process is identical:

• Visit the MCA portal → “View LLP Master Data.”
• Search using the LLP name or LLPIN.
• The displayed “Date of Incorporation” confirms the year.

For startups seeking DPIIT recognition under the Startup India scheme, the incorporation year is critical. Eligibility often depends on how recently the startup was incorporated — typically, less than 10 years from its incorporation date.

If the incorporation data in MCA records and Startup India registration differ, it must be corrected through MCA’s helpdesk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing Incorporation Year with Commencement Year:
   Always use the legal incorporation date from the COI, not when the business started operations.
2. Relying on Unofficial Sources:
   Verify data only from MCA.gov.in. Other sites may have outdated or incorrect data.
3. Using Incorrect CIN:
   A wrong or outdated CIN can lead to errors in verification.
4. Ignoring Updates:
   If company records (name, address, structure) change, ensure they are updated on MCA to avoid inconsistencies.

FAQ: Year of Incorporation

Q1: What does “year of incorporation” mean?
It’s the calendar year when a company was legally registered with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). For example, if the incorporation date is 15 March 2018, the incorporation year is 2018.

Q2: How can I find the incorporation year of a company?
Visit mca.gov.in → MCA Services → Master Data → View Company Master Data → enter company name or CIN → view “Date of Incorporation.”

Q3: Can a company be struck off within one year of incorporation?
Yes. Under Section 248(1) of the Companies Act, if a company fails to commence business within one year or fails to file Form INC-20A, the RoC may strike it off.

Q4: Can an LLP close within one year of incorporation?
Not usually. An LLP must be inactive for at least one year before applying for strike-off using Form 24. All annual filings must be up to date.

Q5: How do I find the incorporation year from a CIN?
Look at the 8th to 11th characters in the 21-digit CIN. These four digits indicate the year of incorporation (e.g., 2010 in the CIN means incorporated in 2010).

Q6: Why does the incorporation year matter for compliance?
It determines when filings, AGMs, tax returns, and audits are due. Missing these deadlines can lead to penalties.

Q7: Is the incorporation year the same as the year of establishment?
Yes, generally. Companies often use “Established [Year]” or “Since [Year]” in branding, which refers to their incorporation year.

Q8: How to correct an incorrect incorporation year on records?
File a correction or modification request with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) via the MCA portal, submitting valid supporting documents (such as the correct COI).

In Summary:
The year of incorporation is the foundation of a company’s legal identity and compliance structure. It affects everything from tax filings to brand credibility. Always verify your company’s details via MCA Master Data and maintain accurate records — because in the business world, your year of birth defines your legacy.