DIR-3 KYC is a compliance filing under Rule 12A of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014. Every individual who holds a Director Identification Number (DIN) must submit their KYC details to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to keep their DIN active.
Important update: The MCA amended the DIR-3 KYC rules vide G.S.R. 943(E) in December 2025. The filing is now required once every three years (not annually), and the deadline has moved from 30 September to 30 June. Directors who filed KYC for FY 2024-25 do not need to refile until the next cycle window opens.
Missing the deadline still results in the DIN being deactivated and a ₹5,000 late fee to reactivate it making DIR-3 KYC one of the most consequential compliance filings despite the relaxed frequency.
What Changed: December 2025 Amendment (G.S.R. 943(E))
| Before (up to FY 2024-25) | After (FY 2025-26 onwards) | |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Every year | Once every 3 years |
| Due date | 30 September | 30 June |
| Late fee | ₹5,000 per DIN | ₹5,000 per DIN (unchanged) |
| Consequence | DIN deactivated | DIN deactivated (unchanged) |
The 3-year cycle is counted from the last KYC filing date, not from a fixed calendar block. Directors who last filed in FY 2024-25 (deadline 30 September 2025) will next be due by 30 June 2028. The MCA portal will display each DIN's next due date in the DIN profile.
Who Must File DIR-3 KYC?
Every individual who holds a DIN in a year when their 3-year cycle falls due must file DIR-3 KYC. This includes:
- Active directors on any company or LLP
- Resigned directors who still hold an active DIN
- Individuals who were allotted a DIN but never became a director
There is no exemption based on age, residency or company status. If your DIN is active and your cycle is due, you must file. Check the MCA V3 portal or the DIN detail page to confirm your next due date.
Due Date
DIR-3 KYC must be filed on or before 30 June of the year in which the 3-year cycle falls due.
| Last Filed | Next Due Date |
|---|---|
| FY 2024-25 (by 30 Sep 2025) | 30 June 2028 |
| FY 2025-26 (by 30 Jun 2026) | 30 June 2029 |
| First-time DIN allotted in FY 2026-27 | 30 June 2027 |
If a director's DIN is already deactivated (missed a previous deadline), there is no cycle extension they must file and pay ₹5,000 to reactivate immediately regardless of the 3-year window.
Late Fee for Missed DIR-3 KYC
The late fee structure remains unchanged under the amendment:
- Filed on or before 30 June: No fee (nil government fee)
- Filed after 30 June: ₹5,000 per DIN, regardless of how late
Unlike most MCA forms where the fee scales with delay, DIR-3 KYC has a single flat late fee of ₹5,000. There is no daily accrual the full ₹5,000 becomes due the moment the deadline passes.
If the DIN remains deactivated, the director cannot be appointed, sign MCA forms, or be shown as an active director until the KYC is filed and the fee paid. A deactivated DIN is not the same as disqualification under Section 164(2), which lasts five years and cannot be cleared by paying a fee.
Documents Required
| Document | Who Needs It |
|---|---|
| PAN card | All Indian nationals (mandatory) |
| Passport | All foreign nationals (mandatory); optional for Indians |
| Aadhaar card or utility bill | Permanent address proof |
| Personal mobile number | For OTP verification must be the director's own number |
| Personal email ID | For OTP verification must be the director's own email |
| Class 3 DSC | Digital Signature Certificate linked to the DIN |
Important: The mobile number and email must be accessible to the director personally OTPs will be sent to both and must be entered during filing. They cannot be shared with the CA or company secretary.
Step-by-Step Filing Process on MCA V3
- Log in to the MCA V3 portal at mca.gov.in using the director's credentials
- Navigate to e-Forms → DIR-3-KYC under the MCA Services section
- Enter the DIN the form will auto-populate existing details from the MCA database
- Verify and update personal details (name, father's name, nationality, date of birth)
- Enter and verify the personal mobile number via OTP
- Enter and verify the personal email ID via OTP
- Upload PAN, Aadhaar/passport and address proof
- Affix the director's Class 3 DSC
- Submit the form the DIN status changes to Active immediately on successful submission
DIR-3 KYC Web vs DIR-3 KYC Form
MCA offers two variants:
- DIR-3 KYC Web: Available only if no details have changed from the previous filing. A faster OTP-based process with no document uploads required.
- DIR-3 KYC (full form): Required for first-time filers, reactivation after deactivation, or any change in details (new mobile, email, address, or PAN-Aadhaar mismatch).
Since the cycle is now 3 years, most directors will need the full form rather than the web variant at each filing details change more often over 3 years than over 1 year.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection
- PAN or Aadhaar details that don't match what's in the NSDL/UIDAI database
- Mobile number or email already linked to another DIN in the MCA system
- Expired DSC or DSC linked to a different PAN than the one being filed
- Attempting to use DIR-3 KYC Web when details have changed the portal may accept it but MCA can reject it in back-end processing
- Assuming a director is not due because they filed last year check the DIN profile for the actual next due date under the 3-year cycle
Bulk DIR-3 KYC for CS Firms and CAs
For company secretaries and CAs managing compliance for multiple directors or a portfolio of companies, the 3-year cycle means due dates are staggered across different years for different directors harder to track than a single annual deadline. Leagully monitors every DIN's next due date across your portfolio, flags upcoming June deadlines, and coordinates the OTP-based verification workflow with directors so no DIN goes deactivated on your watch.
See also: ROC Compliance Calendar 2026-27 for all MCA due dates for the year.