Designated Partner Identification Number (DPIN): Guide for LLPs

Every Limited Liability Partnership runs on structure and accountability. When registering an LLP in India, this process begins with the right setup and the people who will manage it. One of the first requirements for designated partners is securing a Designated Partner Identification Number, better known as DPIN. It is required for anyone managing LLP compliance, governed by Rule 10 of the LLP Rules, 2009, and made compulsory under Section 7(6) of the LLP Act.

Learn about the LLP’s structure and its benefits in this guide: LLP FAQs: Structure, Benefits & Legal Basics

This guide explains what DPIN means, why it matters, who can apply, how to get it, and the documents you need. You will also find a clear comparison of DPIN and DIN to avoid confusion between the two.

What Is a DPIN and Why Is It Important?

The Designated Partner Identification Number is a unique code issued to individuals who are responsible for managing the administration and annual filings for an LLP. For practical purposes in India, DIN and DPIN are the same and used interchangeably, as the Ministry of Corporate Affairs merged the two to avoid duplication. Even so, each carries its own role and responsibility depending on the type of entity involved.

You can think of a DPIN as a personal tag that stays with the partner through every filing and official act carried out for the LLP. It keeps the entire compliance system accountable. It lets the MCA track who signed what, who handled which filings, and who is responsible for specific actions. It also helps partners and stakeholders understand who holds decision-making authority.

A quick look at why this number matters for the LLP operations:

• Confirms the identity of designated partners
• Helps in authentication during filings
• Keeps partners accountable for their acts
• Makes compliance transparent
• Avoids confusion between partners, employees, and nominees
• Builds trust among stakeholders

Before registering your LLP, you need to understand that in order to keep your company status active, it should always be compliant with the MCA. Here’s the full blog on the annual filings for LLP: LLP Annual Compliance in India: What You Must File (Form 8 & Form 11)

What Does DPIN Actually Do?

Designated partners take on the crucial task of filing forms, signing documents, and maintaining legal compliance. A DPIN allows them to do this officially.

Its main functions include:

• Certifying the identity of the partner in all MCA records
• Acting as an authentication tool for digital signatures
• Helping the MCA track compliance and filings
• Assigning clear responsibility for decisions and approvals
• Streamlining online submissions and approvals

Without a DPIN, the partner cannot complete any statutory action for the LLP. As designated partners, having several doubts is common; that’s why you need to know everything about their roles in this blog: LLP FAQs: Partners, Designated Roles & Registration

Who Can Apply for a DPIN?

Anyone who wishes to act as a designated partner must secure a DPIN. The MCA allows both Indian citizens and foreign nationals to apply, provided they meet a few basic conditions.

Eligibility Requirements

• Residency: At least one designated partner must be an Indian resident. Residency means staying in India for more than 182 days in the previous financial year
• Minimum age: Applicant must be 18 or older
• Sound mind: The applicant should be legally competent
• No insolvency issues: Ongoing insolvency or past declarations of bankruptcy disqualify the applicant
• No criminal disqualification: Any restriction imposed under law prevents the grant of DPIN
• Capacity to contract: The applicant must be legally able to enter contracts
• Education: No mandatory qualification, but practical knowledge always helps

Documents Required for a DPIN Application

You must attach clear, updated, and properly attested documents. Any mismatch can lead to rejection.

Document	Description
Identity Proof	PAN for Indian applicants. Passport for foreign nationals.
Address Proof	Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or recent utility bills (not older than 2 months).
Photograph	Recent passport-size photo with a plain background.
NRI Documents	OCI, PR card, or passport with valid visa.
Nomination Proof	Required only if the applicant is nominated by a body corporate.

Note: A CA, CS, CMA, notary, or gazette officer must attest all documents.

How to Apply for a DPIN: Step-by-Step Process

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has a fixed digital process for DPIN allotment. Here is the sequence to follow.

Step 1: Get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

You need a valid DSC before you begin. It is your digital signature for filing applications online.

Step 2: Fill Form DIR-3

Filing Form DIR-3 is the official application step for the DPIN process. It collects basic personal details such as name, address, birth date, and qualification.

Step 3: Get the Form Verified

A practicing CA, CS, or CMA must verify the form. This confirms that the details entered are correct.

Step 4: Upload Form DIR-3 on the MCA Portal

You must create an account on the MCA website and upload the form with its attachments.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

The fee is Rs 500 per DPIN. Payment is made online on the same portal.

Step 6: MCA Processing

The MCA checks your identity, documents, and form entries. This may take a few days.

Step 7: Receive Your DPIN

If all details match, the DPIN is issued to your registered email. It stays valid for life, provided the annual DIR-3 KYC is filed.

Note: All DIN or DPIN holders must file DIR-3 every year, even if they no longer hold the role.

It’s important for you to understand how to file DIR-3 KYC, as it is an essential part of keeping the partner’s role active for your business.

Step 8: Intimate the LLP

File Form 9 to inform your LLP about your DPIN. It records your formal consent to serve as a designated partner. This keeps the LLP’s records updated.

If there is any change in your designated partner details, the LLP must also file Form 4. This is the form through which the LLP informs the MCA about the appointment, cessation, or change in a designated partner’s particulars.

Why DPIN Applications Get Returned for Corrections

Not all applications get approved in one go. Many are flagged for resubmission due to small but important mismatches.

Common reasons include:

• Names written in short forms or with spelling mismatches
• Prefixes like Mr or Ms added to names
• Address proofs older than two months
• Address proofs belonging to a relative
• Attestations missing membership numbers
• Expired documents
• Poor-quality scans

Fixing these in advance saves time and avoids unnecessary delays.

Updating or Changing Details in DPIN Number

If your personal information changes, you must update your DPIN records as well. This keeps LLP and MCA records accurate.

• File Form 10 within 30 days of any change in DPIN details, as required by Rule 10(5)
• Inform the LLP through Form 6 within 15 days
• Keep supporting documents ready for verification

Timely updates ensure the LLP stays compliant.

For the change or update in your LLP name, here’s the full guide on the full process:  How to Change the Name of an LLP?

DPIN vs DIN: What’s the Difference?

Many new entrepreneurs mix up DPIN and DIN. Both look similar, both are issued by the MCA, and both identify individuals in leadership positions. Yet they apply to two different business structures.

A quick comparison table makes the distinction much easier.

Criteria	DPIN	DIN
Full Form	Designated Partner Identification Number	Director Identification Number
Applicable To	Designated partners in LLPs	Directors in companies
Governing Law	Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008	Companies Act, 2013
Purpose	Identifies designated partners in LLPs	Identifies directors in companies
Application Form	DIR-3	DIR-3

When Should You Use DPIN or DIN?

• Use a DPIN for anything related to an LLP
• Use a DIN when you function as a director in a company
• You may hold both if you work with an LLP and a company at the same time

Both numbers serve different roles, so keeping them separate helps avoid compliance mistakes.

For a private company, directors need to obtain a DIN, and here is the full guide on how you can apply for it and why it is important: What is Director Identification Number (DIN)? How to apply for it?

Conclusion

A DPIN may look like a small requirement, but it holds the entire compliance framework of an LLP together. It assigns responsibility, keeps filings transparent, and helps the partnership function without unnecessary interruptions. Securing it early gives every designated partner a clean start and keeps the administrative side of the LLP steady.

If you want the process handled correctly from the start, our experts at LegalWiz.in can take care of the LLP registration and annual filing for you. The team checks the details, prepares the documents, and ensures everything aligns with MCA rules, which helps avoid resubmissions and keeps your LLP setup on track.