[Opinion] Consequences of Obtaining More Than One DIN – A Case Study

Prof R Balakrishnan – [2023] 152 taxmann.com 649 (Article)

Director Identification Number (DIN)

1. Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique identification number, allotted by the Central Government to each aspiring individual who would like to be a director of any company. The DIN number is allotted by the Central Government and is valid for the lifetime of the director. As per the provisions of the Companies Act 2013, an individual should have a valid DIN number for him/her to be appointed as a director in any company. Obviously, it means, any individual who is already a director would be having the DIN number.

2. Framework of the Companies Act 2013 on DIN

The framework of the Companies Act 2013 provides certain restrictions and prohibitions to obtain more than one DIN number As per the provisions of the Companies Act 2013, no person who already has a DIN number shall apply for another DIN number which means, one DIN number for each of the director.
Further, the Companies Act 2013 read with relevant rules also provides for the surrender of a DIN number and the DIN number can be surrendered by making an application to the Central Government in the specified e-form on the ground that the individual concerned was never been appointed as a director in any company and also the DIN number has never been used for filing any document with any authority.

3. Relevant provisions relating to DIN under the Companies Act 2013

Section 155 of the Companies Act 2013 provides that no individual, who has already been allotted a Director Identification Number (DIN) under section 154 shall apply for, Obtain or process another Director Identification Number.

4. Penal provision for default/violation

Section 159 of the Companies Act 2013 provides that if any individual or director of a company makes any default in complying with any of the provisions of Section 152, section 155 and Section 156 such individual or director of the company shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and where the default is a continuing one, with a further penalty which may extend to five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such default continues.

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