Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC) is a mandatory annual compliance for every company director in India, designed to verify and update director details with the MCA. For 2025, understanding the exact due dates, filing process, fees, and penalties is crucial to avoid DIN deactivation and legal hassles. This guide explains everything you need to stay fully compliant and penalty‑free.

DIR-3 KYC 2025: Applicability, Due Dates & Forms

Who must file DIR-3 KYC?

DIR-3 KYC is mandatory for every individual who:

• Holds a valid Director Identification Number (DIN), whether as an active or disqualified director.
• Has been allotted a DIN on or before 31st March 2025 (for the FY 2024–25 compliance cycle).
• Is a resident or non-resident director in any Indian company or LLP where DIN is applicable.

Even if a director has not been appointed to any company during the year, the KYC must still be completed as long as the DIN is in “Approved” status.

Key due date for DIR-3 KYC 2025

The statutory due date (as per present rules) is:

• 30th September 2025 – for all DIN holders allotted DIN on or before 31st March 2025 and whose DIN is in “Approved” status.

Non-filing by this date triggers an automatic change of DIN status to “Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC”, and a hefty late fee becomes payable.

Two ways to file: DIR-3 KYC (Form) vs DIR-3 KYC-WEB

The MCA provides two distinct modes of compliance, depending on whether your details have changed since the last KYC filing:

• DIR-3 KYC (e-form)
  • Used when filing KYC for the first time, or when any core details change, such as:
    • Mobile number
    • Email ID
    • Name (due to legal name change)
    • Citizenship or nationality
    • Permanent or present address
  • Requires full form filing, attachment of documents, and professional certification.
• DIR-3 KYC-WEB (online verification)
  • Allowed only when the director:
    • Has already filed DIR-3 KYC in a previous year, and
    • No change has occurred in mobile number and email ID.
  • Involves a simple OTP-based verification of contact details on the MCA portal.

Mandatory information required

To complete Director KYC, you must have:

• DIN (Director Identification Number)
• Full name (as per PAN/passport), father’s name, date of birth, and gender
• Permanent and present address with PIN code and state/country details
• Personal mobile number and personal email ID (not a generic company email)
• Nationality, citizenship status, and residential status
• PAN details (for Indian nationals) and passport details (mandatory for foreign nationals)

Documents typically required

• Self-attested PAN card (for Indian directors)
• Self-attested passport (for foreign directors; often recommended for Indian directors who hold one)
• Address proof, such as:
  • Aadhaar card
  • Voter ID
  • Driving licence
  • Utility bill (electricity, telephone, gas, or bank statement, usually not older than 2–3 months)
• Recent photograph (as per e-form requirements)

Depending on changes reported, supporting documents for name or address change (such as a marriage certificate, gazette notification, or updated ID proof) may also be needed.

Verification via OTP

The mobile number and email provided are verified through:

• Separate OTPs sent to each (valid for a limited time and usually limited attempts per day).
• Mismatched or inaccessible contact details will require filing through full e-form DIR-3 KYC with corrections.

Digital signatures and professional certification

• The DIR-3 KYC e-form must be signed using the director’s own Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
• The form must also be certified by a practising CA/CS/CMA, confirming verification of identity and address proof.

Step-by-step DIR-3 KYC 2025 filing process

1. Check DIN status and past filings

• Visit the MCA portal and verify whether your DIN is:
  • Approved
  • Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC
• Confirm whether previous KYC was filed and whether contact details are unchanged.

2. Decide between DIR-3 KYC and DIR-3 KYC-WEB

• If first-time filer or details changed → use DIR-3 KYC (e-form).
• If already filed before and no change in mobile/email → use DIR-3 KYC-WEB for a quicker process.

3. Prepare documents and DSC

• Ensure your DSC is valid and registered on the MCA portal.
• Keep self-attested PAN, passport, address proof, and updated photo ready in digital format.

4. Fill in DIR-3 KYC (for e-form filers)

• Download the latest DIR-3 KYC form from the MCA portal.
• Enter DIN, name, father’s name, DOB, nationality, and other basic details.
• Provide current mobile number and email ID (only personal—no shared IDs).
• Upload required identity and address proofs as per instructions.
• Verify the details carefully to avoid mismatch with PAN/passport records.

5. OTP verification

• Click the button to send OTPs to the entered mobile number and email.
• Enter the OTPs within the validity period to complete KYC verification.

6. Sign and get professional certification

• Affix your DSC as director.
• Arrange certification by a practising CA/CS/CMA; their membership details and DSC must be added.

7. Upload the form & generate SRN

• Upload the e-form on the MCA portal.
• If filed on or before 30th September 2025 and DIN is active, no government fee is charged.
• On successful upload, you will receive a Service Request Number (SRN) for tracking.

8. Track approval

• MCA generally processes DIR-3 KYC quickly; status moves to “Approved” on verification.
• If any defect is found, the form may be sent for resubmission with corrections.

Process for DIR-3 KYC-WEB (for unchanged details)

• Log in to the MCA portal with your credentials.
• Navigate to the DIR-3 KYC-WEB service.
• Enter DIN and validate basic details.
• Confirm that your mobile number and email shown are correct and unchanged.
• Generate and enter OTPs received on mobile and email.
• Submit the verification; no attachments, DSC, or professional certification are required.

Fees, Penalties & How to Avoid DIN Deactivation

Government fees for DIR-3 KYC 2025

• Filed on or before 30th September 2025:
  • ₹0 government fee (no filing fee for timely KYC).
• Filed after 30th September 2025:
  • ₹5,000 penalty per DIN, payable before KYC is processed.

These amounts are as per current rules; any change notified by MCA for 2025 will have to be adhered to.

Consequences of not filing on time

• DIN deactivation: Status is changed to “Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC”.
• Inability to file MCA forms: A director with deactivated DIN cannot sign and file most forms (e.g., incorporation, annual filings, changes in directors).
• Regulatory non-compliance: Company-level compliance gets affected as forms requiring that director’s DIN may be blocked.
• Indirect reputational and financial impact: Delays in filings can cause additional penalties and raise red flags during due diligence and audits.

Reactivation of DIN after default

If the due date is missed:

• You must file DIR-3 KYC or DIR-3 KYC-WEB (as applicable) and pay the ₹5,000 late fee.
• Once processed, the DIN status will change back to “Approved”.
• No separate application is required for reactivation other than the delayed KYC filing itself.

How companies and directors can avoid penalties

• Track DINs centrally: Companies with multiple directors should maintain an internal register of DIN status and KYC filing for each director.
• Start the process early: Begin KYC procedures by July–August; do not wait until the last week of September, when the MCA portal may experience heavy traffic.
• Update personal details proactively:
  • Inform your company and professional adviser immediately if you change mobile number, email, or address.
  • Keep documents such as updated Aadhaar, passport, or utility bills ready for any KYC changes.
• Monitor MCA notifications: Stay updated on any year‑specific circulars that may extend due dates or modify the fee structure.
• Use MCA login regularly: Directors should periodically log into the portal (or coordinate with their CA/CS) to ensure no pending alerts.

Common mistakes to avoid in DIR-3 KYC

• Mismatched names and dates between PAN, passport, and the form, leading to technical rejections.
• Using official/company email IDs instead of personal email, which can be problematic if employment changes.
• Providing a mobile number not accessible to the director, causing OTP failures.
• Waiting until the last day, leading to filing failures due to DSC issues, network errors, or heavy server load.
• Overlooking foreign directors, assuming Indian compliance does not apply—where DIN has been allotted, KYC is compulsory.

DIR-3 KYC 2025 is more than just a routine formality; it is a core element of director compliance under Indian company law. By identifying the correct mode (form or web), filing before 30th September 2025, and ensuring accurate, OTP-verified details, you avoid DIN deactivation and a ₹5,000 late fee. Plan early, coordinate with your professional adviser, and keep all director records synchronized with the MCA for a smooth, penalty-free year.