Corporate Identification Number or Corporate Identity Number (CIN) is a 21-digit alpha-numeric number provided to all Private Limited Companies (PLCs), One Person Companies (OPCs), Companies owned by the Government of India, State Government Companies, Not-for-Profit, National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) Companies, etc. registered in India.
CIN number is a unique identification number that is given by the Registrar Of Companies (ROC) of various states under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). CIN number is assigned to companies registered in India by the ROC located in states across the nation.
CIN number is used to track all the activities of an enterprise after its registration by the ROC. This number contains the identity of an organization and additional information regarding the registered company under the ROC. The company’s information can be accessed using a 21-digit alphanumeric unique identification number by the ROC.
What is Corporate Identification Number (CIN)?
Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is a 21 digits alpha-numeric code issued to companies incorporated within the country on being registered by the ROC situated in different states across India under the MCA.
CIN is provided to all companies registered in India, which include:
- Private Limited Companies (PLCs)
- One Person Companies (OPCs)
- Companies owned by the Government of India
- State Government Companies
- Not-for-Profit Section 8 Company
- Nidhi Companies, etc.
However, CIN is not given to the Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) registered in India. For the LLPs, the ROC gives the LLPIN (Limited Liability Partnership Identification Number) that acts as a unique 7-digit identification number of the LLP.
Breaking down Corporate Identification Number
U 12345 DL 2020 PLC 098765
- U: Listing Status
- 12345: Industry Code
- DL: State Code
- 2020: Incorporation Year
- PLC: Ownership
- 098765: Registration Number
The first section signifies the listing status of the company. If the company is listed then the alphabet will be ‘L’ and if unlisted the status will be ‘U’. The next section or 5 digits represents the industry code. The company doing business in any industry is assigned a unique industry code by ROC. The next two digits denote the State Code where the company has been registered under the Registrar of Companies with its registered office being a specified state. After the state code appears the year of incorporation of the company which uses 4 extra digits in the CIN number. The next three digits signify the type of the company being Private or Limited Company, Government of India, Not-for-profit, One Person Company, or Company of State Government. The final 6 digits represent the RoC code of the company and all these elements combine to form a 21 digit unique CIN number.
Importance of Corporate Identification Number
CIN is used for tracking all the aspects and activities of a company from its incorporation by the ROC and is required to be provided on all the transactions with the respective ROC.
The 21 digit CIN has its own meaning which is easily translatable and which helps in finding basic information relating to a company. It is used for finding the primary details of the companies which are registered within the country under MCA.
CIN is a unique number that can be used for identifying or tracking companies for several levels of information that ROC / MCA holds. The CIN contains the identity of an organisation and additional information regarding the registered company under the ROC
Abbreviations in CIN number
- FLC: Financial Lease Company as Public Limited
- FTC: Subsidiary of a Foreign Company as Private Limited Company
- GAP: General Association Public
- GAT: General Association Private
- GOI: Companies owned by the Government of India
- NPL: Not-for-Profit License Company (Section 8 Company)
- OPC: One Person Company
- PLC: Public Limited Company
- PTC: Private Limited Company
- SGC: Companies owned by State Government
- ULL: Public Limited Company with Unlimited Liability
- ULT: Private Company with Unlimited Liability
Changing Corporate Identification Number
- Any change in the listing status of a company
- Any change in the location or change of state where the company’s registered office is situated
- Any change in the industry/sector to which a company belongs
Usage of Corporate Incorporation Number
- On invoices, bills and receipts
- On notice
- On memos
- On letterheads
- Annual Reports and audits
- Every e-form submission on the MCA portal
- Company’s official publications
- Any other company publications
Penalty for Non-compliance of Mentioning CIN
In case the above-mentioned requirements aren’t adhered to, there’s a penalty of INR 1,000/day on the defaulting company and on its, every officer is in default, till such default continues. However, the maximum penalty for this default is limited to INR 1,00,000.
FAQs
How to apply for CIN?
A CIN is an alphanumeric number allotted to the company on the date of its registration by the Registrar of Companies. The company’s CIN is mentioned in its Certificate of Incorporation. Thus, a CIN number is automatically allotted to the company when it is incorporated and approved by the Registrar of Companies.
How can I find my company's CIN number?
- Go to the MCA website.
- Click on the ‘MCA Services’ tab on the home page.
- Click on the ‘Check CIN’ option from the drop-down list under the ‘Company Services’ option.
- Select the ‘Search Based on Existing Company / LLP Name’ option.
- Type the company name under the ‘Existing Company’ option, enter the captcha code and click on the ‘Search’ button.
- The company’s CIN will be displayed.