Form MSC-4: Complete Guide to Application for Obtaining Active Status
Webform MSC-4 is filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) by a dormant company seeking to regain active status. It is governed by Section 455(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014.
Who Should File MSC-4 / When is it Filed
A company currently holding dormant status (obtained via Form MSC-1) that wishes to resume normal operations must file MSC-4 to seek active status.
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-4 webform should be pending for approval, and no other webform (other than ‘Refund’) should be pending for processing, against the company
- A valid, approved SRN of the earlier MSC-1 webform must be available
- A valid, approved SRN of MSC-3 (annual return for dormant companies), if any, must be available
- For resubmission: application must be in Application History and T+15 days (T = date marked ‘Resubmission Required’) must not have elapsed
- 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
- Navigate to “Filing by Dormant Companies”
- Access “Application for obtaining active status (MSC-4)”
- Enter/search/select CIN
- Fill up the application, quoting the MSC-1 (and MSC-3, if applicable) SRNs
- 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-4.
Processing Mode
Webform MSC-4 is processed in Non-STP mode — every filing is reviewed manually.
Useful Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who can file MSC-4? Any company currently holding dormant status (via MSC-1) that wishes to become active again.
Q2. Is an MSC-1 SRN required for MSC-4? Yes, a valid, approved SRN of the earlier MSC-1 filing must be quoted.
Q3. Is MSC-3 relevant to MSC-4? Yes — if the company has filed MSC-3 (annual return for dormant companies), a valid, approved SRN of that filing must also be quoted where applicable.
Q4. Is MSC-4 processed automatically? No, it is always processed in Non-STP mode with manual review.
Q5. Is there a delay fee for MSC-4? No — the Instruction Kit does not prescribe an additional/delay fee for this form.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the official Instruction Kit for webform MSC-4 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.