Form INC-22A (ACTIVE): Complete Guide to Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification
Form INC-22A, commonly known as ACTIVE (Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification), is the web form filed with the Registrar of Companies to verify and tag a company’s registered office and key operational particulars. It is governed by Rule 25A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014.
Original due date: All companies incorporated on or before 31 December 2017, and under ‘Active’ status, were required to file INC-22A on or before 15 June 2019. Filing beyond this date is still permitted, but attracts a flat fee of ₹10,000.
Who Should File INC-22A / When is it Filed
Every company incorporated on or before 31 December 2017 and in ‘Active’ status as on the date of filing must submit the required particulars in INC-22A.
Important Checkpoints Before Filing
- Applicant must be registered on the MCA portal, and the company must have a valid, approved CIN
- DSC must be registered on the MCA portal against the DIN/DPIN/PAN/Membership number provided
- Company must have the minimum number of directors prescribed under the Act (2 for a private company, 5 for a private producer company, 3 for a public company, 1 for an OPC)
- A valid, approved SRN of MGT-14 (if any), with a matching resolution purpose, must be available
- A valid, approved SRN of AOC-4/AOC-4 XBRL and MGT-7 for FY 2017-18 must be available
- Listed companies, and public companies with paid-up share capital of ₹10 crore or more, must have a Managing Director/CEO/Manager (or, in their absence, a Whole-time Director), a whole-time Company Secretary, and a CFO
Step-by-Step Filing Process
- Login to MCA portal → MCA Services → Company e-Filing → Compliance Services
- Access “INC-22A – ACTIVE (Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification)”
- Enter/search/select CIN
- Fill up the application
- Optionally save as draft
- Submit the webform and note the SRN
- Affix DSC
- Upload the DSC-affixed PDF on MCA portal
- Pay Fees (₹10,000, if applicable due to late filing)
- Receive acknowledgement
Field-Level Instructions
Field 4(b): Maximum Number of Directors Beyond Prescribed Limits
Mandatory for all companies (except Section 8 and government companies) where the number of directors prefilled in Field 4(a) exceeds 15, requiring a Board resolution reference for the increased limit.
Mandatory Attachments
| Attachment | Mandatory? |
|---|---|
| Photograph of the Registered Office (external building and interior, showing the Director/KMP who has digitally signed the form) | Mandatory |
| Optional attachments (up to 5, 2 MB each, max 10 MB total) | Optional |
- Format: PDF or JPG; each attachment up to 2 MB
Signing Requirements
- OPC: Digitally signed by one Director
- All other companies: Digitally signed by one Director and one KMP, or by two Directors, as applicable
- Signatory designation options: Director / Manager / Company Secretary / CEO / CFO
Fee Structure
| Purpose | Normal Fee | Event Date | Additional Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing INC-22A where the ACTIVE flag is marked ‘Yes’ | ₹10,000 | 16 June 2019 (i.e., beyond the original due date of 15 June 2019) | Not applicable |
Processing Mode
Form INC-22A is processed in STP mode — taken on record electronically without further processing. There is no provision for resubmission.
Useful Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What happens if INC-22A was not filed by 15 June 2019? The company’s status gets flagged as ‘ACTIVE non-compliant’, restricting certain other filings, until INC-22A is filed with the ₹10,000 fee.
Q2. Which companies are exempt from filing INC-22A? Companies incorporated after 31 December 2017 were not required to file it as part of the original compliance drive (though other rules may still require ACTIVE compliance before certain filings are accepted).
Q3. Is a minimum number of directors required before filing? Yes — 2 for a private company, 5 for a private producer company, 3 for a public company, and 1 for an OPC.
Q4. Is INC-22A processed automatically? Yes, it is processed in STP mode with no resubmission facility.
Q5. What documentary evidence is compulsory? A photograph of the registered office (exterior and interior) showing the director/KMP who digitally signed the form.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the official Instruction Kit for Form INC-22A 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 access page for INC-22A and resources available on the MCA website.