CIN Number – Know its Meaning, Usage & How to Obtain CIN

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.

CIN consists of important details, such as:

• Year of Incorporation (Example: 2020)
• State code (Example: DL- Delhi)
• Type of Company (Example: PLC – Public Limited Company)
• Listing status (Example: L – Listed)

This information can also be found on the Certificate of Incorporation.

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Decoding CIN number

CIN number is divided into 6 sections which are explained below with the help of a sample CIN 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.

Note: Limited Liability Company (LLP) does not use CIN. They are provided with LLPIN.

Also Read: Online Company Registration Process in India

Usage of CIN number

CIN number is used for tracking all the aspects of a registered company from its date of incorporation from the ROC. This unique number/code is mainly used during audits and presenting reports or any form submission to MCA. CIN is required to be printed on the company’s official publications, invoices, e-form on MCA’s website, letterheads, memos, notices, and bills. This number can also be used for tracking and identifying companies for information-related purposes which are already with the ROC or MCA.

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Getting a CIN number

The company can get a CIN number by visiting the official website of MCA. Filling in an application form and depositing all the required documents. Finally, submit the payment to receive the CIN number after review and approval from MCA.

Factors that lead to a change in CIN number

• If there is any change in the listing status of a company
• If there is any change in the location or state of the registered office in India
• If the industry of the company changes
• If the sector of the company changes

Abbreviations in CIN number

• FLC: Financial Lease Company as Public Limited
• FTC: Subsidiary of a Foreign Company as a 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
• 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

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Penalty for Non-Compliance

If the above-mentioned requirements are not met or if a company does not apply for a CIN number, there is a penalty charge of Rs. 1000/day on the company and every officer and the maximum penalty charge is limited to Rs. 1 lakh.