For a new Indian company, a Director Identification Number (DIN) is not applied for separately. Proposed first directors who do not already hold a DIN provide their details in SPICe+ Part B, the MCA incorporation form, and the DIN is allotted when the application is approved. Up to three such directors can apply this way. Foreign directors need a passport, address proof and, where applicable, notarised, apostilled or consularised documents, plus a DSC. Form DIR-3 applies only to appointments in existing companies. Existing DIN holders can use their current number.
It is natural to assume that a Director Identification Number (DIN) must be secured first, before incorporation can move forward. For a new Indian company, the sequence works a little differently. The DIN application is integrated into SPICe+ Part B, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) incorporation form. A Proposed Director who does not already have a DIN needs to provide their particulars as part of the incorporation filings, and the DIN is allotted when the application is processed.
The confusion usually arises from Form DIR-3, which does exist but serves a narrower purpose. Form DIR-3 is used by an individual who does not have a DIN and intends to be appointed as a director of an existing company, as Rule 9 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Director) Rules, 2014. A foreign business establishing a new Indian subsidiary, therefore, should plan the DIN application together with the Company’s SPICe+ incorporation filing rather than treating DIR-3 as the standard pre-incorporation route.
What is Director Identification Number and why is it required?
A DIN is the identification number allotted to an individual who intends to be appointed as a director. The Companies Act, 2013 requires an individual intending to become a director to apply for DIN in the prescribed manner. The number identifies the individual across directorship rather than being a separate number for each company.
A person cannot apply for or hold more than one Director Identification Number. An existing DIN should be used when the person becomes a director of another Indian company. DIN is also different from Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). A DIN identifies the individual for MCA purposes, while a DSC is used to digitally sign electronic filings.
How to get Director Identification Number (DIN) when forming a new company?
For a proposed first director of a new company, the DIN application is made through SPICe+ Part B. Here is step by step process to get DIN when forming a new company:
Step 1: Identify the proposed director
Everything starts with determining which proposed directors already have DIN and which do not. Individuals with an existing DIN should provide that number in the incorporation application.
SPICe+ permits DIN applications for up to three proposed directors who do not already have a DIN. The current MCA guidance provides a higher limit of five for a producer company.
Step 2: Prepare identity and address documents
The proposed director’s personal particulars must be supported by the documents required for the incorporation filings. These include proof of identity and residential address for directors who do not have a valid DIN. Foreign nationals should have their passport available as the relevant identity document, with the applicable supporting and authentication requirements checked before filing.
Step 3: Complete DIN details in SPICe+ Part B
SPICe+ Part B contains the incorporation information as well as the DIN allotment components. The form captures details of the proposed directors, including those who do not yet have DIN. The incorporation application itself carries the DIN request for the eligible proposed directors.
Step 4: Attach and authenticate the required documents
The required documents are submitted with the incorporation application. Where DSC are required for the relevant subscribers or directors, they must be appropriately associated and affixed to the electronic filing. The MCA’s SPICe+ FAQs allow first directors without a DIN to sign with their DSC, which is then updated with the DIN once it is allotted.
For foreign nationals, documents authentication depends on the country where the individual resides or where the document was initially executed. MCA guidance refers to notarisation, apostillisation, or consular authentication, where applicable. This should be checked against the particular incorporation circumstances rather than applying one authentication method to every foreign director.
Step 5: Submit the Incorporation Application
SPICe+ Part B and the applicable linked forms are submitted through the MCA system after the required information, attachments and digital signatures have been completed. The DIN application is therefore processed as part of the broader incorporation filings.
Step 6: DIN allotment
Once the Incorporation application is processed, the company is incorporated and DINs are issued to the proposed directors who did not already have valid DINs, subject to MCA approval and verification. DIN allotment does not by itself mean that every aspect of the company incorporation has been completed. The company still needs to meet the applicable incorporation requirements and receive its incorporation approvals.
What documents are required for DIN during company incorporation?
| Requirement | Indian director | Foreign director |
|---|---|---|
| Identity document | Applicable identity proof, as required in SPICe+ | Passport is generally the relevant identity document |
| Residential proof | Applicable residential address proof | Overseas residential proof, where required |
| Photograph | As required by the incorporation filing | As required by the incorporation filing |
| DSC | Required where applicable for electronic signing | Required where applicable for electronic signing |
| Foreign document authentication | Generally, not applicable | May require notarisation, apostillisation, or consular authentication, depending on circumstances |
Foreign national documentation should not be prepared solely by relying on generic incorporation checklist. MCA’s guidance makes the authentication requirement dependent on factors including the country of residence and nature of the document.
What should a foreign director check before submitting the DIN application?
For an overseas director, most avoidable issues arise from inconsistencies between personal document and the MCA application. Before submission make sure to check:
- The director’s name is entered correctly as mentioned in the passport and other supporting records.
- Passport and address information is current and legible.
- Any foreign-executed document has the authentication required for the relevant country and document.
- The director does not already hold a DIN
- The DSC is valid and correctly associated for the filing
- Date of birth, nationality, residential address and other prescribed personal particulars are entered accurately
- The proposed director’s detail is consistent across SPICe+ and its linked incorporation forms
MCA’s systems specifically check for potential duplicate DIN applications, making an existing DIN check particularly important before submission.
What happens after the DIN is allotted
The DIN remains associated with the individual rather than the newly incorporated company. If the director subsequently joins another Indian company, the existing DIN is used rather than applying for another number. Section 155 of the Companies Act expressly prohibited an individual from obtaining or possessing more than one DIN.
DIN allotment also creates an ongoing compliance obligation. From 31 March 2026, the MCA’s revised framework requires DIN holders to provide KYC information through the revised DIR-3 KYC Web process once every three consecutive financial years, with the applicable filing due by 30 June. Change in mobile number, email address or residential address are also subject to the revised KYC update mechanism.
Can a foreign national become a director of an Indian company
A foreign national can be appointed as a director of an Indian company, subject to the applicable requirements under company law. Obtaining DIN is one part of the process. It does not itself constitute appointment as a director or complete the company’s incorporation.
The resident director requirement is separate from DIN. Section 149 (3) requires every company to have at least one director who stays in India for the prescribed period during the financial year, with a proportionate rule for a newly incorporated company. A foreign director having a DIN does not, merely by holding that DIN, satisfy this separate residency requirement.
How much does a DIN application cost?
There is no single universal amount that represents that total cost of obtaining DIN during company formation. The overall cost can depend on applicable government filing fees, the incorporation structure, linked filings, document authentication or notarisation for foreign directors, DSC related cost and professional assistance, if used.
Government fees and professional or third-party costs should be treated separately. Current costs should be confirmed against the applicable MCA fee schedule and the particular circumstances of the proposed company and directors.
Common mistakes a foreign business should avoid
Let’s look at some of the common mistakes that a foreign business should avoid when applying for DIN:
- Applying for a second DIN: An individual cannot hold more than one DIN.
- Using inconsistent personal detail: Names, date of birth and other identification details should match the supporting documents.
- Using outdated address documents: Residential information should be current and supported by the documents required for filings.
- Missing foreign-document authentication requirements: The appropriate notarisation, apostillisation, or consular authentication depend on the circumstances.
- Confusing DIN with DSC: DIN identifies the director; DSC is used for digital signing.
- Using DIR-3 as the normal new-company route: For a proposed first director of a new company, DIN application is integrated into SPICe+. DIR-3 applies to appointment in an existing company or LLP.
- Assuming DIN completes incorporation: DIN allotment is only one component of the incorporation process.
Final thoughts
For a proposed first director of a new Indian company, the practical answer to how to get a Director Identification Number is to apply through SPICe+ Part B as part of the company’s incorporation filing. Directors who already have a DIN use their existing number, while eligible proposed directors without DIN can apply through the integrated SPICe+ process, subject to applicable limits and verification requirements.
The distinction from Form DIR-3 should remain clear. DIR-3 is relevant when an individual without DIN proposed for appointment in an existing company or LLP, whereas a new company’s proposed first directors obtain their DIN through the incorporation application.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can get DIN before incorporation of a new company but not as a standalone step. Under Rule 9, a proposed first director without a DIN is included in the SPICe+ application, and the DIN is allotted when incorporation is approved. A separate application in advance is not the standard route. Form DIR-3 applies only to appointments in existing companies.
Yes. A passport is mandatory as identity proof, and address proof must be in the applicant’s own name. MCA guidance requires foreign documents to be notarised, apostilled or consularised, as applicable. The application is made through SPICe+ for a new company, or DIR-3 for an existing one.
No. The DIN is a unique number identifying an individual director. The DSC is an electronic signature used to sign and submit MCA filings online. Directors need both, but neither substitutes for the other, and obtaining one does not grant the other.
SPICe+ is the incorporation form through which up to three proposed directors of a new company obtain a DIN. DIR-3 is the application form for an individual without a DIN who is to be appointed to an existing company. Rule 9 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 sets out both.
Under the amended Rules, DIN holders file Form DIR-3 KYC Web once every third consecutive financial year, on or before 30 June. Changes to mobile number, email or address must be updated within 30 days. This is separate from the DIN application itself.
