Corporate Identification Number or Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is a 21-digit alphanumeric number issued to all Private Limited Companies (PLCs), Sole Proprietorships (OPCs), Companies owned by the Government of India, Public Companies, Non- commercial companies, Nidhi Companies etc. incorporated in India.
A CIN number is a unique identification number assigned by the Registrars of Companies (ROCs) of various states under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). A CIN number is assigned to companies registered in India by the ROC located in states across the country.
The CIN number is used to track all the activities of the enterprise after its registration with the ROC. This number contains the identification of the organization and additional information about the company registered with the ROC. Company information can be accessed using a 21-digit alphanumeric unique ROC identification number.
The CIN consists of important details such as:
- Year of registration (example: 2020)
- State Code (Example: DL- Delhi)
- Company type (example: PLC – public limited company)
- List Status (Example: L – Listed)
This information can also be found on the registration certificate.
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Decoding of CIN number
CIN number is divided into 6 sections which are explained below with sample CIN number:
U 12345 DL 2020 PLC 098765
- U: List status
- 12345: Industry code
- DL: State code
- 2020: the year of registration
- PLC: Proprietary
- 098765: Registration number
The first section shows the status of the company in the list. If the company is listed then the alphabet will be “L” and if the company is not listed the status will be “U”. The next section or 5 digits represent the industry code. A company doing business in any industry is assigned a unique industry code by the ROC. The next two digits represent the state code in which the company was registered with the Registrar of Companies and its legal address is the specified state. The state code is followed by the company’s year of incorporation, which uses the 4 additional digits in the CIN number. The next three numbers indicate the type of company: Private or Limited Company, Government of India, Non-Profit, Sole Proprietorship or State Government Company. The last 6 digits represent the company’s RoC code, and all these elements together form a 21-digit unique CIN number.
Note: A limited liability partnership (LLP) does not use a CIN. They are provided with an LLPIN.
Read also: Online Company Registration Process in India
Use of CIN number
The CIN number is used to track all aspects of a registered company since its registration with the ROC. This unique number/code is mainly used during audits and submission of reports or submission of any form to MCA. CIN is required to be printed on official company publications, invoices, electronic form on MCA website, forms, memos, notices and bills. This number can also be used to track and identify companies for information purposes that are already with the ROC or MCA.
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Obtaining a CIN number
A company can obtain a CIN number by visiting the official website of MCA. Filling out the questionnaire and submitting all the necessary documents. Finally, submission of payment to obtain CIN number after review and approval from MCA.
Factors leading to change of CIN number
- If there are changes in the status of the company in the listing
- If there is a change in the location or state of the registered office in India
- When the company’s industry changes
- If the company sector changes
Abbreviations in CIN number
- FLC: Finance Leasing Company as Public Limited
- FTC: A subsidiary of a foreign company as a private limited company
- GAP: General Public Association
- GAT: General Association of Private
- GOI: Companies Owned by the Government of India
- NPL: Non-Profit Licensing Company
- PLC: Public limited company
- PTC: Private limited company
- SGC: State Government Owned Companies
- ULL: Public limited company with unlimited liability
- ULT: Private Limited Liability Company
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Penalty for non-compliance
If the above requirements are not met or if the company fails to apply for a CIN number, a penalty of Rs. 1,000 per day per company and each officer and the maximum penalty is limited to Rs. 1 lakh.
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