By S&S Co. Advocates & Solicitors · Published 20 September 2026 · Informational content, not legal advice — see our disclaimer
From Annual to Triennial Filing
Effective 31 March 2026, via G.S.R. 943(E) dated 31 December 2025, the MCA replaced the earlier annual DIR-3 KYC filing requirement with a triennial regime: every DIN holder must now file the unified DIR-3 KYC Web form once every third consecutive financial year, on or before 30 June of the relevant year, under Rule 12A of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014.
Who Must File, and When
Every director whose DIN was allotted on or before 31 March of the preceding financial year and whose DIN status is 'Approved' must file within their applicable window. Directors who already filed for FY 2025-26 do not need to file again in FY 2026-27 or FY 2027-28 — their next routine filing falls in the April-June 2028 window for FY 2028-29, illustrating how the triennial cycle staggers by each director's last filing year rather than applying on a single common date for everyone.
Event-Based Filing Still Applies
Even within the new triennial cycle, any change to a director's mobile number, email ID or address must still be updated via the DIR-3 KYC form within 30 days of the change — this event-based filing obligation is not on the triennial clock, and directors should not assume the triennial rule excuses them from updating changed particulars promptly.
Consequences of a Missed Deadline
Filing after the due date attracts a flat Rs. 5,000 penalty and, critically, causes the MCA system to mark the DIN as 'Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC' — which blocks the director from signing or filing any MCA e-form, including annual returns, financial statements and resolutions, until KYC is refiled with the penalty paid.
A Practical Tracking Recommendation
Companies should build an internal DIN-status tracker for all their directors, since a single deactivated DIN can stall time-sensitive corporate filings — charge registration or annual return deadlines among them — across the entire company, not just that one director's own matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must a director now file DIR-3 KYC?
Once every third consecutive financial year, on or before 30 June of the relevant year, under the triennial regime effective from 31 March 2026 — replacing the earlier annual filing requirement.
Does a change of mobile number or address wait for the triennial cycle?
No. Any change to a director's mobile number, email ID or address must be updated via the DIR-3 KYC form within 30 days of the change, regardless of where the director sits in the triennial cycle.
What happens if a director misses the DIR-3 KYC deadline?
A flat Rs. 5,000 penalty applies, and the DIN is marked 'Deactivated due to non-filing of DIR-3 KYC' — blocking the director from signing or filing any MCA e-form until KYC is refiled and the penalty is paid.
References & Further Reading
This article references the following statutory provisions. Readers should always verify current rules, fees and timelines against the applicable statute and rules as amended, since these are revised from time to time.
- Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, Rule 12A, as amended by G.S.R. 943(E) dated 31 December 2025.