A unique identification number is issued by the Central Government to a person who intends to be a Director in a new company or an existing company, that UIN is called Director Identification Number (DIN). It is compulsory for a person to obtain a DIN who is to be appointed as a director in a company. A person cannot be appointed as a director in a company unless he is in possession of a valid DIN.

DIN is registered in a centralized database maintained by the Central Government. An application for obtaining DIN is filed under Section 153 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Forms for Application/Modification of DIN
Form Spice:
Application for allotment of DIN to the proposed first directors in respect of new companies shall be made in e-form Spice+ only. At the time of incorporation of a company an option is available to apply for DIN for maximum of 2 directors who have never been a director in any company. This option is available only at time of incorporation of a new company. A person required to obtain DIN to become a director in an existing company shall apply through e-FORM DIR-3. DIN will be allotted to the applicant only after the form is approved.

Form DIR-3:
Any person intending to become a director in an existing company shall have to make an application in e-Form DIR-3 for allotment of DIN.

Form DIR-6:
Any changes in the particulars of the directors shall be filed in e-Form DIR-6. The annual updation in the KYC of directors is done through web Form DIR-3-KYC. However, where in between that time if there are any changes in the directors’ particulars, that can be done through the Form e-DIR-6.

Allotment of DIN
As per Section 154 of the Companies Act, 2013, Central Government shall allot a DIN to the applicant within 1 month from the date of receipt of application.

Prohibition to Obtain More than One DIN
Section 155 of the Companies Act, 2013 prohibits a person from having more than one Director Identification Number (DIN).

Obligation to Intimate DIN
Section 156 of the Companies Act, 2013 made it mandatory on the part of every Director to intimate the DIN to company/ all the companies in which he is a Director, within one month from the date of receipt of DIN from the Central Government.

Validity of DIN
The validity of a DIN is for the lifetime of the applicant and he need not apply for another DIN for becoming a director in another company.

Cancellation/Surrender/Deactivation of DIN
As per Rule 11 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 the Central Government or RD may, upon being satisfied, cancel or deactivate a DIN in the following cases:

1. DIN was obtained in a wrongful manner;
2. DIN is found to be duplicate in respect of the same person;
3. Upon the death of the concerned person;
4. The holder of DIN has been adjudged insolvent; Provided that an opportunity of being heard shall be given before deactivation of DIN.
5. The concerned person has been declared as a person of unsound mind by a competent court;
6. Where an application is field by the DIN holder in Form DIR-5 for surrendering his DIN along with a declaration that he has never been appointed as a Director in any company and the said DIN has never been used for filing any documents with any authority.