CIN Number (2023): Definition, How to Get it?

A CIN, or corporate identification number, is a unique number that the Registrar of Companies (ROC) assigns to businesses that are registered in India. When they incorporate in India, a variety of entities, including One Person Companies (OPCs), Private Limited Companies (PLCs), State Government Companies, Government of India Companies, Not-for-Profit organizations, and Nidhi Companies, among others, acquire CIN Numbers. CIN numbers are a vital tool for locating and tracing firms throughout India, as they are issued by each state’s ROC to companies established under its jurisdiction.

The CIN Number includes crucial information about the organization’s registration:

• Listing status
• Industry code
• State Code
• Year of incorporation
• Ownership
• Registration number

How to Interpret a CIN Number?

The company provides the CIN Number in a standardized format that makes interpretation easier. It consists of six important details that provide information about the company.

Listing status: The listing status is indicated by the first letter of the CIN code. The letter “L” denotes a firm that is listed on the stock market, whereas the letter “U” denotes an unlisted or non-listed corporation.

Industry code: The Industry code is represented by five numbers that come after the listing code. The Registrar of Companies Industry Code indicates that these figures correspond to the company’s industry. Sections, divisions, groups, classes, and sub-classes are all included in the industry codes, which offer a comprehensive classification of the industry in which the company operates.

These are a few instances of ROC industry codes that are utilized in CINs, or company identification numbers: 

Sr. no	Industries	Code
1	Hospitals	851100
2	Motor vehicles freight transport	60231
3	Contract basis real estate activities	70200
4	Retail sale of construction materials	52341
5	Mineral water manufacture	15543
6	Farming of, cattle, sheep, goats, asses, hinnies, mules, horses, dairy farming	1211
7	Travel agencies, tour operators	63040
8	Production, Supply, and documentation of ready-made software	72211

State code: The state code, which usually consists of two characters and is placed in the seventh and eighth positions of the CIN Number, is the third component of the number. The state of origin of the company is identified by this code. For example, TN stands for Tamil Nadu, MH for Maharashtra, KL for Kerala, KA for Karnataka, and so forth.

Year of incorporation: Next in the CIN Number, at slots 9 through 12, comes the year of incorporation. The year of the company’s incorporation is represented by all four numbers.

Ownership status of the company: Three alphabets, often in the 13th, 14th, and 15th positions, are used in the CIN Number to indicate the ownership type following the year of incorporation.

Registration Number: The Registrar of Companies provides a six-digit registration number that completes the CIN Number. A CIN number such as L21091KA2019OPC141331, for instance, indicates that the company is registered, involved in the production of paper hoops and cones, was established in Karnataka in 2019, is categorized as a one-person business, and has been assigned the registration number “141331” by the Registrar of Companies.

How to Get CIN?

Following the steps listed below will enable you to obtain a Corporate Identification Number (CIN) in India:

1. Application Filing: Applying for the registration of a CIN number is the first stage. Through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) web, you can finish this process online.
2. Verification and Approval: The Registrar of Companies (RoC) in the appropriate state will review and handle your application after receiving it. To verify the accuracy of the application, the RoC may ask for further information at this point. To verify the legality of the registered office address, they could also physically inspect it.
3. Certificate Issuance: Your firm will get a certificate of incorporation from the RoC (Registrar of Companies) if they have approved your application and you have fulfilled all the conditions. This certificate has a distinct CIN Number that attests to the registration and legal existence of your business.
4. Post-Incorporation Compliance: Your business needs to follow several post-incorporation compliance requirements after obtaining the CIN. A crucial identification number for your company, the CIN is issued to you immediately after your establishment is approved by the Registrar of Companies.

A company’s Corporate Identity Number is automatically assigned by the Registrar of Companies to it upon official establishment and issuance of a certificate of incorporation, as per sub-section (2) of the Companies Act, 2013, Section 7(3). This CIN number is part of the certificate of incorporation and acts as a separate and unique identification for the business.

Benefits of Obtaining a Corporate Identification Number

A company’s Corporate Identification Number is assigned to oversee and record all of its operations and many facets, beginning with its establishment. Providing the CIN is an essential requirement, regardless of the type of transactions or interactions a firm has with the Registrar of Companies.

The following are the main advantages of a corporation obtaining a Corporate Identification Number: 

1. Legal Compliance: All Indian registered firms are required by the Firms Act, 2013 to have a CIN. Adherence to this regulation guarantees that the business functions by the law. The company’s financial stability may be impacted by penalties and fines for not having a CIN.
2. Business Identification: A CIN sets a company apart from competitors in the same industry in a competitive business setting. By making the brand and reputation of the organization more recognizable to stakeholders and customers, it improves them. Increased trust and commercial opportunities may result from this. 
3. Credit Access: When a firm applies for a business loan, financial institutions such as banks and non-banking financial corporations (NBFCs) frequently request the company’s CIN. To ensure finance for a firm’s growth and expansion ambitions, a company seeking credit must have a CIN.
4. Compliance with Tax Regulations: Businesses operating in India are subject to several tax laws, such as TDS, income tax, and GST. To ensure compliance and trace transactions about these taxes, a CIN is required. It aids in avoiding fines and legal problems brought on by breaking tax laws. 
5. Corporate Governance: CIN is essential to corporate governance because it promotes openness and accountability in a company’s interactions with stakeholders. It is used in official documents like invoices, letterheads, and annual reports. It ensures that all transactions are accurately recorded and traceable, which is important in case of discrepancies or audits. 

Documents Required to Apply for CIN Number

You must submit appropriate documents to the authorities as part of the registration process to apply for a CIN Number. Together with your application for company registration, you must submit these important documents. The following paperwork is needed to apply for a CIN:

1. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of all Directors.
2. Director Identification Number (DIN) of all Directors.
3. Company Name.
4. Identity Proof for all directors.
5. Address Proof for both directors and the company’s premises.
6. Utility Bills for the premises (not older than 2 months).
7. Photographs of the directors.

You will receive guidance and support from your assigned relationship manager in locating and submitting these required documents.

Eligibility Criteria for Obtaining a Corporate Identification Number

The requirements for acquiring a Corporate Identification Number include the following information:

The Companies Act, 2013, or other applicable Indian regulations require the applying company to register. It may register as a Limited Liability Partnership, Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, One Person Company, or any other legally recognized entity by the government.

• Business Operations: The organization needs to be actively involved in conducting business in India. To obtain a CIN number, a company must first register with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and then maintain a valid business presence within India.
• siness Status: The Registrar of Companies (RoC) shall continue to list the firm as active. A company cannot obtain a CIN Number if it has been dissolved or dismantled.
• Compliance with Legal Requirements: The applying company must abide by all laws as directed by the Registrar of Companies (RoC) and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. This covers filing financial statements, annual returns, and other required paperwork on time.
• Valid Identification Documents: Depending on the form of a legal entity, the applicant must provide legitimate identification documents such as a driver’s license, passport, Aadhaar card, or PAN card.
• Fee Payment: To receive a CIN, the applicant must pay the applicable fees. The kind of legal entity and the application method selected may have an impact on the fee amount.

The applicant company can apply for a Corporate Identification Number from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, by fulfilling this requirement.

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