Application for allotment of Director Identification Number (Section 153 of the Companies Act, 2013) :
“Director Identification Number” (DIN) means an identification number allotted by the Central Government to any individual, intending to be appointed as director or to any existing director of a company, for the purpose of his identification as a director of a company;
Provided that the Director Identification Number (DIN) obtained by the individuals prior to the notification of these rules shall be the DIN for the purpose of the Companies Act, 2013:
Provided further that “Director Identification Number” (DIN) includes the Designated Partnership Identification Number (DPIN) issued under section 7 of the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009) and the rules made thereunder; [Rule 2(1)(e) of the Companies (Specification of definitions details) Rules, 2014]
Section 153 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with the filing of application for allotment of DIN. According to it,every individual intending to be appointed as director of a company shall make an application for allotment of DIN to the Central Government in such form and manner and along with such fees as may be prescribed.
Rule 9 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 provides for the points for making application for allotment of DIN according to which:
(1) Every individual, who is to be appointed as director of a company shall make an application electronically in Form DIR-3, to the Central Government for the allotment of a DIN along with such fees as prescribed.
(2) The Central Government shall provide an electronic system to facilitate submission of application for the allotment of DIN through the portal on the website of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
(3) (a) The applicant shall download Form DIR-3 from the portal, fill in the required particulars sought therein, verify and sign the form and after attaching copies of the following documents, scan and file the entire set of documents electronically –
(i) photograph;
(ii) proof of identity;
(iii) proof of residence; and
(iv) specimen signature duly verified.
(b) Form DIR-3 shall be signed and submitted electronically by the applicant using his or her own Digital Signature Certificate and shall be verified digitally by –
(i) a chartered accountant in practice or a company secretary in practice or a cost accountant in practice; or
(ii) a company secretary in full time employment of the company or by the managing director or director of the company in which the applicant is to be appointed as director.
The MCA vide Notification No. S.O. 1354(E) dated 21st May, 2014 delegates the powers and functions of the Central Government in respect of allotment of Director Identification Number under section 153 of the Companies Act, 2013 to the Regional Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director or Assistant Director posted in the office of Regional Director at Noida.
(4) In case the name of a person does not have a last name, then his or her father’s or grandfather’s surname shall be mentioned in the last name along with the declaration in Form No. DIR-3A.