CIN full form is Corporate Identification Number. It is a unique 21-digit identification number issued by Registrar of Companies (RoC) to every company registered in India. DIN full form is Director Identification Number. It is a unique identification number allotted to an individual who is appointed / intends to become a director of a company.
Both are important for the company registration and compliance process. However, they are totally different from each other. CIN is allotted to a company while the DIN is allotted to a director. In this blog post, we shall discuss all the major differences between CIN and DIN.
The full form of CIN is Corporate Identification Number. It is also known as Company Registration Number. Now, let’s understand the CIN definition. CIN means a unique 21 digit alphanumeric identification number. This unique number is issued by the Registrar of Companies to each and every company incorporated in India under provisions of Companies Act, 2013. It is the official identifier of company and is used to identify it in legal, regulatory and business records.
When filling forms with Registrar of Companies via the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ portal, it is generally compulsory to mention CIN. This unique number is required in e-forms like AOC-4 (Form for filing Financial Statements) and MGT-7 (Annual Return Form) so as to identify the company and automatically fetch all its details. It is important to note that a single company can only have one CIN.
The full form of DIN is Director Identification Number. The DIN definition can be explained as a unique 8-digit identification number issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to an individual who is appointed or will be appointed as a director of a company. No individual can serve as a director without possessing a valid DIN.
This number serves as the official identity of the director and is used in company-related filings and records. A person can have only one DIN and the same DIN can be used even if he is a director in more than one company.
The difference between CIN and DIN can be understood with the help of the table given below:
| Parameter | CIN | DIN |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | CIN stands for Corporate Identification Number. | DIN stands for Director Identification Number. |
| Definition | CIN is a unique identification number allotted to every company incorporated in India. | DIN is a unique identification number allotted to an individual who is appointed or intends to become a director of a company. |
| Digits | CIN is a unique 21-digit alphanumeric code. | DIN is a unique 8-digit number. |
| Purpose | The purpose of CIN is to provide a unique identity to a company. | The purpose of DIN is to provide a unique identity to a director. |
| Applicable Form | No separate form is required. Once the SPICe+ form for company incorporation is filed on the MCA portal and approved by the Registrar of Companies (RoC), the company is allotted a CIN. | To obtain a DIN, Form DIR-3 must be filed on the MCA portal. However, first directors usually obtain their DIN through the SPICe+ form during the company incorporation process. |
| Validity | CIN remains valid as long as the company is legally registered with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). | DIN remains valid for the lifetime of the director unless it is surrendered by the holder or cancelled/deactivated by the MCA. |
Also Read: DIN Number Search by Name: Step-by-Step Process
CIN (Corporate Identification Number) and DIN (Director Identification Number) are both issued under Companies Act, 2013 and play an important role in company registration as well as compliance in India. They are totally different from each other. A CIN is issued by the Registrar of Companies to every company after the SPICe+ application is finally approved. This number is contained in Certificate of Incorporation. A DIN, on the other hand, is issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to an individual who is appointed or intends to become a director of a company.
To obtain a DIN, Form DIR-3 must be filed on the MCA portal. A CIN is a unique 21-digit alphanumeric identification number whereas a DIN is a unique 8-digit identification number. A CIN remains valid as long as the company is legally registered with RoC. A DIN, on other hand, remains valid for lifetime of director unless it is surrendered or cancelled/deactivated by MCA.
For assistance with company incorporation or in obtaining a DIN, you can get in touch with company incorporation experts at Registrationwala. Our professionals will guide you through entire process and help you complete all the required formalities smoothly.
Q1. Who allots CIN?
A. The Registrar of Companies, operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, allots CIN.
Q2. Which form do I need to file to obtain DIN?
A. To obtain DIN, you need to file DIR-3 form. You need to file this form on the official MCA portal. However, if you are a first director of a company being incorporated, your DIN is generally allotted through the SPICe+ incorporation application so you do not need to file a separate DIR-3 form.
Q3. Which form do I need to file to obtain CIN?
A. You do not have to file any separate application for CIN. You need to file SPICe+ form on MCA portal so you can incorporate your company. Once RoC approves your application form and finally registers your company, a Certificate of Incorporation is issued in company’s name. The CIN of your company is mentioned in this certificate.
Q4. What is the validity of CIN?
A. A CIN remains valid as long as the company is legally registered with RoC and remains active.
Q5. What is validity of DIN?
A. Once issued, a DIN remains valid for lifetime of director unless it is willingly surrendered by them or gets cancelled / deactivated by MCA.
Q6. Where can I check CIN of a company?
A. You can check the CIN of a company in its certificate of incorporation, bills or other company documents. You can also check it on MCA portal.
Q7. How many digits does a DIN contain?
A. A DIN assigned to a director contains a total of 8 digits.
Q8. How many digits does a CIN contain?
A. A CIN assigned to a company contains a total of 21 digits.
Sunny Goel is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and the Senior Finance & Regulatory Consultant at Registrationwala. He has expertise in accounting, taxation, finance, regulatory compliance, and insurance compliance. He writes simple and easy-to-understand content to help businesses understand financial rules, tax laws, insurance regulations, compliance requirements, and other regulatory matters.
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