Web-Based eForm INC-22A (ACTIVE) on MCA Portal

Keeping company records updated with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs is a basic compliance requirement. Over the years, the MCA has brought in several rules to ensure company details remain accurate and transparent. One such requirement is filing INC-22A, commonly known as the ACTIVE form.

This form is meant to check whether a company is actually operating from its registered office and whether its official details are up to date. For companies registered in India, understanding INC-22A helps avoid penalties and restrictions on MCA filings.

Let’s go through it step by step in a simple way.

What is Form INC- 22A?

INC-22A (ACTIVE) stands for Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification. It is a web-based form introduced by the MCA to confirm the physical existence and operational status of companies registered in India.

Through this form, companies must declare key details such as:

• Registered office address
• Directors’ information
• Statutory auditor details
• Key managerial personnel details

Once filed correctly, the company is marked as “ACTIVE” on the MCA portal.

Why Did MCA Introduce eForm INC-22A?

The MCA introduced INC-22A to address several compliance gaps.

Key objectives include:

• Verifying that companies operate from their declared registered office
• Identifying shell or inactive companies
• Ensuring correct disclosure of directors and auditors
• Improving overall corporate transparency

This move was part of MCA’s broader compliance drive to strengthen governance and reduce misuse of corporate structures.

Recent Update: Web-Based eForm INC-22A from July 2025

The MCA has revised Form INC-22A and replaced the older format with a web-based e-form, effective 14th July 2025. The new digital filing system from MCA provides two benefits by making filing easier and adding automatic data verification and error reduction features.

Key improvements in the web-based form:

• Simplified online filing
• Real-time checks and validations
• Better compliance tracking

Despite the format change, the core information required remains the same: registered office details, directors, auditors, and key managerial personnel information.

Who is Required to file eForm INC-22A?

INC-22A applies to:

• All companies incorporated on or before 31 December 2017

The form must be filed even if:

• The company is not actively doing business
• There has been no recent change in office or management

Who is Not Required to file eForm INC-22A?

The following companies are exempt:

• Companies that were incorporated on or after 1 January 2018
• Companies under liquidation
• Companies that are struck off
• Companies currently under the strike-off process
• Companies under amalgamation or dissolution

Who is Restricted from filing eForm INC-22A?

Companies that have not filed their financial statements under Section 137, their annual returns under Section 92, or both, will not be allowed to file Form INC-22A (ACTIVE).

However, there is an exception. If a company is involved in a management dispute and the details of such dispute have already been recorded by the Registrar, the company is still allowed to file eForm INC-22A despite the pending filings.

Important Details Required to file eForm INC-22A

Before filing INC-22A, the company should make sure all earlier compliances are completed. Financial statements under Section 137 and annual returns under Section 92 for the relevant financial years, as prescribed by the MCA, including FY 2017–18 for original applicability, must already be filed. If these filings are pending, the form may not be accepted.

Once this is done, the following details need to be provided in eForm INC-22A:

Basic Company Information

• Name of the company
• Company Identification Number (CIN) as per the Certificate of Incorporation
• Registered office address with pincode (auto-filled after entering CIN)
• Location of the registered office with latitude and longitude
• Email ID and mobile number for OTP verification during submission

Director Details

Details of all directors linked to the company must be disclosed.

• Total number of directors
• DIN of each director
• Status of DIN, which must be approved and not disqualified

Auditor Information

The company should have already filed Form ADT-1 for the appointment of its auditor. The following details are required:

Understanding the timelines, documentation, and possible penalties involved is important to avoid compliance issues later. Our detailed guide on Form ADT-1 for Appointment of Auditor explains the filing process clearly and helps ensure the auditor appointment is properly recorded on the MCA portal.

• Name of the audit firm
• PAN of the auditor
• Firm Registration Number
• Period of appointment

Cost Auditor Details (If Applicable)

If a cost auditor is appointed, Form CRA-2 must be filed in advance. Required details include:

• Name of the individual, firm, or LLP
• Membership number or firm registration number
• Financial year covered

For companies covered under CSR provisions, cost audit compliance is often linked with additional statutory disclosures. Our detailed guide on MCA CSR 2 form filing explains the requirements clearly and helps ensure all MCA reporting obligations are met on time.

Key Managerial Personnel Details (If Applicable)

Where applicable, details of KMPs must be provided, including:

• Name and designation of MD, CEO, Manager, or Whole-Time Director
• DIN or PAN
• Company Secretary details such as name, DIN or PAN, and membership number
• Chief Financial Officer details including name and PAN

Certifying Authority Details

The form must be certified by a professional.

• Name of CA, CS, or Cost Accountant
• Membership number
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Since MCA filings are completed online, a valid DSC is mandatory for certification and submission. Our detailed guide on what is a digital signature certificate explains how it works, the different types available, and why it is essential for statutory compliance.

Details of Filed MCA Forms

• SRN of AOC-4 and MGT-7 filed for the financial year 2017–18
• These forms must be filed within the prescribed timelines to generate valid SRNs

Since these filings are a prerequisite for submitting INC-22A, it’s important to be clear about the timelines and the correct filing process. Our detailed guide on Step-By-Step Process for Filing AOC-4 And MGT-7 explains everything clearly and helps ensure SRNs are generated on time without delaying the ACTIVE form submission.

Registered Office Location and Attachments

• Latitude and longitude of the registered office, taken from maps
• Clear photographs of the registered office, both internal and external
• One director must be present in the photographs

How to File INC-22 A (ACTIVE)

The MCA replaced the old offline filing system with a web-based form.

1. Enter a valid CIN

Enter the Company Identification Number (CIN). If you don’t know the CIN, you can search for it using the “Find CIN” service available under MCA Services on the MCA website by entering the company’s registration number or name.

2. Use the Pre-Fill option

Click the Pre-Fill button to automatically populate the company’s name, registered office address, listed status, and email ID.

If the email ID has changed, update it with a valid new email address.

3. Provide Latitude and Longitude of the Registered Office

Enter the latitude and longitude of the company’s registered office. These details should be obtained using a map service.

4. Number of Directors

The system will automatically pre-fill the number and list of directors as on the date of filing.

Ensure the company has the minimum required number of directors and that all DINs are in approved status.

If the number of directors exceeds the prescribed limit, mention the date of resolution and SRN of Form MGT-14 filed with the ROC.

5. Statutory Auditor Details

These details will be auto-filled based on the latest Form ADT-1 filed with the RoC.

6. Cost Auditor Details

If the appointment of a Cost Auditor is applicable, select “Yes.”

Details will be pre-filled from the latest Form CRA-2.

If cost audit is mandatory and CRA-2 has not been filed, Form INC-22A cannot be submitted. CRA-2 must be filed first.

7. MD/CEO/Manager/WTD Details

If the company has appointed any of these roles, their details will be pulled automatically from MCA records. Check the information and confirm it is correct.

8. Company Secretary Details

Where applicable, the system will auto-fetch the Company Secretary’s details based on earlier filings. Review and proceed.

9. CFO Details

If a Chief Financial Officer is appointed, the relevant details will be pre-filled by the system. Verify the information before submission.

10. AOC-4/AOC-4 XBRL and MGT-7 Filing Status

These details will be auto-filled.

If the company has not filed these forms for FY 2017-18, they must be filed first before submitting Form INC-22A.

11. Attachment

Upload a photograph of the registered office showing:

• The exterior of the building
• The interior office space
• At least one Director or KMP who will digitally sign the form

12. Signing of the Form

OPC: Signed by one Director

Other Companies: Signed by one Director and one KMP, or two Directors

Notes:

• The signatory must have a registered DSC with MCA.
• Disqualified directors are not permitted to sign.

Identification requirements:

• Director: DIN
• CFO/CEO/Manager: PAN
• Company Secretary (Section 8): Membership number or PAN
• Company Secretary (other companies): Membership number

13. Certification

The form must be certified with a digital signature by a Practicing Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, or Company Secretary.

14. Send and Verify OTP

After successful pre-scrutiny, click Send OTP.

• OTP can be sent up to 10 times per day per form
• OTP is valid for 30 minutes

Enter and verify the OTP received on the registered email ID, then upload the form on the MCA website.

What Happens If eForm INC-22A is Not Filed?

If a company did not file e‑Form INC‑22A by the deadline of 25 April 2019, it is marked as ACTIVE Non‑Compliant on the MCA portal. This shows that the required address and identity verification was not completed. Until the form is filed, the Registrar will not process certain company‑related changes and action may be taken under the Companies Act, 2013.

Once marked non-compliant, the Registrar will not allow the company to file certain key forms, including:

• SH-07 for changes in authorised capital
• PAS-03 for changes in paid-up capital
• DIR-12 for changes in directors, except cessation
• INC-22 for change in registered office
• INC-28 for amalgamation or de-merger

These restrictions continue until INC-22A is filed and approved.

Due Date and Late Filing Fee

When Form INC-22A was first introduced, the MCA set the due date as 25 April 2019. This deadline was later extended, and the final date for filing without penalty was 15 June 2019.

INC-22A is a one-time compliance, not a yearly filing. Companies that missed the due date are still required to file the form to restore their “ACTIVE Compliant” status. To do this, a fixed late fee of ₹10,000 must be paid. Until the form is filed and approved, the company may face restrictions while filing other event-based MCA forms.

Conclusion

INC‑22A is more than a routine MCA requirement. It directly affects whether your company can continue with important filings and everyday compliance. Missing details or filing errors can lead to restrictions that slow down decisions and operations. If you’re unsure about documents, office photographs, or MCA validations, getting the right guidance makes it easier to file Form INC-22A correctly. LegalWiz.in supports businesses through this process, helping resolve ACTIVE Non‑Compliant status and keep compliance on track. Taking care of it now helps avoid larger issues later.