Section 197 of Companies Act 2013
Overall maximum managerial remuneration and managerial remuneration in case of absence or inadequacy of profits. Limits on Managerial Remuneration in Public Companies Position Limit on Remuneration Directors (including MD and WTD) Not more than 11% of net profits of the company Manager Not more than 11% of net profits of the company Directors (MD, WTD, and Manager) Not more than 5% of net profits individually Directors (Non-MD, Non-WTD) Not more than 1% of net profits if MD or WTD exists; Not more than 3% of net profits otherwise Approval Requirements General Meeting Approval (For Remuneration exceeding 11% of net profits) Special Resolution Approval (For remuneration exceeding specified limits) Exceptions/Modifications/Adaptations Company Type Exception/Modification/Adaptation Nidhi Company Remuneration for special services subject to limits Government Company Section 197 does not apply Specified IFSC Public Company Section 197 does not apply Penalties and Fines Violation Penalty/Fine Contravention of provisions Fine ranging from INR 1 lakh to INR 5 lakhs Default in complying with section Penalty of INR 1 lakh for individuals Penalty of INR 5 lakhs for companies Auditor’s Report The auditor of the company will include the following details in their report: Whether the remuneration paid to directors complies with the provisions. Whether any director’s remuneration exceeds the prescribed limit. Any other details as prescribed. Disclosures in Board’s Report (for listed companies) he Board’s report of a listed company will include the following information: Ratio of remuneration of each director to the median employee’s remuneration. Other prescribed details. y will include the following details in their report: Whether the remuneration paid to directors complies with the provisions. Whether any director’s remuneration exceeds the prescribed limit. Any other details as prescribed. Section 197 2&3[ 1[(1) The total managerial remuneration payable by a public company, to its Directors, including managing director and whole-time director, and its manager in respect of any financial year shall not exceed eleven per cent. of the net profits of that company for that financial year computed in the manner laid down in section 198 except that the remuneration of the Directors shall not be deducted from the gross profits: Provided that the company in general meeting may,4[Omitted], authorise the payment of remuneration exceeding eleven per cent. of the net profits of the company, subject to the provisions of Schedule V: Provided further that, except with the approval of the company in general meeting,5[By a special resolution],— (i) the remuneration payable to any one managing director; or whole-time director or manager shall not exceed five per cent. of the net profits of the company and if there is more than one such director remuneration shall not exceed ten per cent. of the net profits to all such Directors and manager taken together; (ii) the remuneration payable to Directors who are neither managing Directors nor whole-time Directors shall not exceed,— (A) one per cent. of the net profits of the company, if there is a managing or whole-time director or manager; (B) three per cent. of the net profits in any other case.] 5[Provided also that, where the company has defaulted in payment of dues to any bank or public financial institution or non-convertible debenture holders or any other secured creditor, the prior approval of the bank or public financial institution concerned or the non-convertible debenture holders or other secured creditor, as the case may be, shall be obtained by the company before obtaining the approval in the general meeting.] (2) The percentages aforesaid shall be exclusive of any fees payable to Directors under sub-section (5). (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), but subject to the provisions of Schedule V, if, in any financial year, a company has no profits or its profits are inadequate, the company shall not pay to its Directors, including any managing or wholetime director or manager 16[or any other non-executive director, including an independent director], by way of remuneration any sum exclusive of any fees payable to Directors under sub-section (5) hereunder except in accordance with the provisions of Schedule V 6[Omitted]. (4) The remuneration payable to the Directors of a company, including any managing or whole-time director or manager, shall be determined, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, either by the articles of the company, or by a resolution or, if the articles so require, by a special resolution, passed by the company in general meeting and the remuneration payable to a director determined aforesaid shall be inclusive of the remuneration payable to him for the services rendered by him in any other capacity: Provided that any remuneration for services rendered by any such director in other capacity shall not be so included if— (a) the services rendered are of a professional nature; and (b) in the opinion of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, if the company is covered under sub-section (1) of section 178, or the Board of Directors in other cases, the director possesses the requisite qualification for the practice of the profession. (5) A director may receive remuneration by way of fee for attending meetings of the Board or Committee thereof or for any other purpose whatsoever as may be decided by the Board: Provided that the amount of such fees shall not exceed the amount as may be prescribed: Provided further that different fees for different classes of companies and fees in respect of independent director may be such as may be prescribed. (6) A director or manager may be paid remuneration either by way of a monthly payment or at a specified percentage of the net profits of the company or partly by one way and partly by the other. (7) 14[12[10[Omitted]]] (8) The net profits for the purposes of this section shall be computed in the manner referred to in section 198. (9) 7[If any director draws or receives, directly or indirectly, by way of remuneration any such sums in excess of the limit prescribed by this section or without approval required under this section, he shall refund such sums to the company, within two years or such lesser period as may be allowed by the company, and until such sum is refunded, hold it in trust for the company.] (10) The company shall not waive the recovery of any sum refundable to it under sub-section (9) unless 8[approved by the company by special resolution within two years from the date the sum becomes refundable.] 5[Provided that where the company has defaulted in payment of dues to any bank or public financial institution or non-convertible debenture holders or any other secured creditor, the prior approval of the bank or public financial institution concerned or the non-convertible debenture holders or other secured creditor, as the case may be, shall be obtained by the company before obtaining approval of such waiver.] (11) In cases where Schedule V is applicable on grounds of no profits or inadequate profits,
Section 197 of Companies Act 2013 Read More »