Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC): Deadline and Penalty for Missing It

Every individual holding a Director Identification Number (DIN) — active or not currently serving as a director — must file DIR-3 KYC annually, by 30 September, to keep that DIN active.

Who Must File

Anyone allotted a DIN on or before 31 March of the financial year, whose DIN status is "Approved", must file — including individuals who obtained a DIN but never actually served as a director on any company's board. This surprises a lot of people who assume the obligation ends if they're no longer active.

Web vs eForm Filing

If none of your KYC details (mobile, email, address) have changed since the last filing, you can use the simpler DIR-3 KYC-WEB service (just an OTP verification). If any detail has changed, you must file the full DIR-3 KYC eForm with supporting documents and a practising professional's certification.

The Cost of Missing the Deadline

Miss 30 September, and the DIN is marked "Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC" the very next day. Reactivating it requires filing the KYC form along with a flat ₹5,000 penalty — regardless of how many days late you are. A deactivated DIN also means that individual cannot be validly appointed or continue as a director on any company's board until it's reactivated, which can hold up unrelated corporate actions like a board resolution or a new appointment.