Form MSC-1: Complete Guide to Application for Obtaining Dormant Status
Webform MSC-1 is filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) to obtain the status of a dormant company. It is governed by Section 455 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 3 of the Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014.
A company formed and registered for a future project, or to hold an asset or intellectual property, and which has no significant accounting transactions — or an inactive company that has not carried on business, made a significant accounting transaction, or filed financial statements/annual returns in the last two financial years — may apply for dormant status via MSC-1.
Who Should File MSC-1 / When is it Filed
A company meeting the inactivity criteria above, and not being a listed company, may file MSC-1 to obtain dormant status, provided none of the disqualifying conditions listed below apply.
Important Checkpoints Before Filing
- Applicant must be registered on the MCA portal, and the company must hold a valid, approved CIN
- The DSC attached must be registered on the MCA portal against the DIN/DPIN/PAN/Membership number provided
- The signing authority must hold a valid, non-expired, non-revoked DSC and an approved DIN/DPIN or valid PAN/Membership number
- No other MSC-1 webform should be pending for approval, and no other webform (other than ‘Refund’) should be pending for processing, against the company
- Form MGT-14 for the special resolution authorising dormant status must have been filed, and the company must not be a listed company, and must additionally satisfy all of the following:
- No inspection, inquiry, or investigation ordered, taken up, or carried out against the company
- No prosecution initiated and pending under any law
- No outstanding public deposits or default in payment/interest thereon
- No outstanding loan (secured or unsecured), unless consent has been obtained before filing
- No dispute in management or ownership
- No outstanding statutory taxes, dues, or duties payable
- No default in payment of workmen’s dues
- For resubmission: application must be in Application History and T+15 days (T = date marked ‘Resubmission Required’) must not have elapsed
- No other MSC-1 should already have been approved against the same MGT-14 SRN
- If field space is insufficient, additional details may be furnished as an optional attachment
Step-by-Step Filing Process
- Login to MCA portal → MCA Services → E-Filing → Company Forms Download
- Access “Form No. MSC-1 (Application for obtaining Dormant status)”
- Enter/search/select CIN
- Fill up the application, quoting the MGT-14 SRN
- Optionally save as draft
- Submit the webform and note the SRN
- Affix DSC
- Upload the DSC-affixed PDF on MCA portal within 15 days of SRN generation
- Pay Fees within 7 days of successful upload (or due date + 2 days, whichever is earlier — otherwise the SRN is cancelled)
- Receive acknowledgement
Signing Requirements
- Digitally signed by an authorised signatory with an approved DIN/DPIN or valid PAN/Membership number
Fee Structure
| Nominal Share Capital (INR) | Other than OPC & Small Company (INR) | OPC & Small Company (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 25,00,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| Above 25,00,000 up to 50,00,000 | 5,000 | 2,500 |
| Above 50,00,000 up to 5,00,00,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Above 5,00,00,000 up to 10 crore | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Above 10 crore | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Applicant Type | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Company limited by guarantee without share capital | 2,000 |
| Section 8 company (valid license) | 2,000 |
No additional/delay fee is prescribed for MSC-1.
Processing Mode
Form MSC-1 is processed in Non-STP mode — every filing is reviewed manually.
Useful Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which companies are eligible to apply for dormant status? Companies formed for a future project or to hold assets/IP with no significant transactions, or inactive companies with no business/transactions/filings in the last two financial years.
Q2. Can a listed company file MSC-1? No — the company must not be a listed company.
Q3. Is MSC-1 processed automatically? No, it is always processed in Non-STP mode with manual review.
Q4. What disqualifies a company from obtaining dormant status? Pending inspections/investigations, pending prosecutions, outstanding public deposits, unconsented outstanding loans, management disputes, unpaid statutory dues, or unpaid workmen’s dues.
Q5. What follow-up form maintains dormant status? Form MSC-3, the annual return for dormant companies, must be filed each year to maintain the status (see the related article on MSC-3).
Disclaimer
This article is based on the official Instruction Kit for Form MSC-1 published by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the content is intended for general guidance purposes only. MCA forms, rules, and fee structures are subject to change through amendments to the Companies Act, 2013 or notifications issued thereunder.
In case of any inconsistency or doubt, readers are advised to refer to the official MCA forms download page and resources available on the MCA website.