What is CIN no. of a company? Meaning, format, and compliance.

Every Indian company has a unique 21-digit Corporate Identification Number (CIN), like a corporate Aadhaar that tracks its legal identity, location, and type from day one. Issued automatically by the Registrar of Companies (ROC) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), this code ensures transparency amid India’s 1.5+ million registered firms as of 2025. At Rits Capital, we’ve helped countless founders decode their CIN for compliance and funding pitches—think of it as your company’s DNA on paper. 

CIN Meaning: Your Company’s Legal Fingerprint 

CIN stands for Corporate Identification Number, a mandatory 21-character alphanumeric code for all companies registered in India under the Companies Act, 2013. Unlike PAN or GSTIN, CIN reveals structural details: listing status, industry, state, incorporation year, company type, and ROC registration number. 

Why does it matter? In 2025, with MCA filings hitting 10 million annually, CIN lets regulators, investors, and banks instantly verify legitimacy—crucial for loans (e.g., MSME credit up 25% YoY) or unlisted share trades you track daily. Skip it? Face daily fines up to ₹1 lakh per officer. It’s not just compliance; it’s credibility in a market where FIIs scrutinize 2,000+ filings weekly. 

CIN Format: Breaking Down the 21 Digits 

CIN isn’t random—it’s a data-packed code. Take example L01631KA2010PTC096843 (a real Karnataka firm): 

Position	Characters	Meaning	Example Breakdown
1	L/U	Listing Status (L=Listed on stock exchange; U=Unlisted)	L (Publicly traded)
2-6	5 Digits	Industry Code (NIC sectors, e.g., 01631=Agriculture support)	01631
7-8	2 Letters	State Code (MH=Maharashtra, DL=Delhi, TN=Tamil Nadu, KA=Karnataka)	KA
9-12	4 Digits	Incorporation Year	2010
13-15	3 Letters	Company Type (PTC=Private, PLC=Public, OPC=One Person, NPL=Section 8/Not-for-Profit)	PTC
16-21	6 Digits	ROC Registration Number	096843

 
This structure packs six intel layers, helping you spot a Delhi-based fintech (U74999DL2025PTC123456) versus a Mumbai manufacturer. Pro tip: Use MCA’s site to decode any CIN—vital for your IPO research, where 300+ firms listed in 2025. 

Who Gets a CIN? Eligible Companies 

Not LLPs (they get LLPIN)—CIN covers: 

• Private Limited (PTC): 1.2 million+ firms, 80% of total. 

• Public Limited (PLC): Listed giants like Reliance. 

• One Person Companies (OPC): Solo founders. 

• Section 8 (NPL): Non-profits. 

• Government Cos (GOI/State), Nidhis. 

In 2025, MCA issued 1.8 lakh new CINs, up 15% YoY, fueled by startups in fintech and EVs—your unlisted shares playground. 

How to Obtain and Verify CIN 

CIN auto-generates with SPICe+ form approval during incorporation—no separate application. Steps: 

1. Get DSC/DIN, name approval via RUN. 

2. File MoA/AoA—ROC assigns CIN in Certificate of Incorporation (2-7 days). 

3. Verify on MCA portal (mca.gov.in): Search by name/CIN for filings, directors, charges. 

Lost it? Download from MCA or check Certificate. Tools like VIES or Tofler pull paid reports—handy for due diligence on peers. 

CIN Compliance: Mandatory Display Rules 

Section 12 of Companies Act mandates CIN on every official document—no exceptions post-2018 rules.[8][3] 

• Letterheads, bills/invoices, emails. 

• Notices, publications, websites. 

• Annual reports, board resolutions. 

2025 stats: 5,000+ penalties issued for non-display, averaging ₹50,000/case. Officers liable ₹1,000/day (max ₹1 lakh). Update if details change (e.g., reclassification via Form INC-27). For your content workflows, embed CIN in Figma templates for client decks. 

Non-compliance risks: Blocked filings, director disqualifications (15,000+ in 2024), loan rejections. Stay audit-ready with Google Sheets trackers syncing MCA data. 

Real-World Uses: Beyond Compliance 

CIN powers: 

• Banking/Loans: Mandatory for accounts, MSME loans (₹5 lakh crore disbursed 2025). 

• Investor Due Diligence: Track charges, defaults via MCA—key for unlisted buys. 

• Tenders/Govt Contracts: Udyam portal links CIN. 

• SEBI/MCA Filings: AOR-1, AOC-4 need it. 

Example: Decoding TCS’s CIN L72200TG1999PLC054335 reveals listed IT firm (L), Telangana (TG), 1999 birth—insights for valuation models. 

Penalties and 2025 Updates 

Fines doubled in 2024 amendments: Company ₹1,000-1 lakh/day; repeat offenders face strikes-off. MCA’s 2025 push: AI audits flagged 20% more violations. Best practice? Quarterly reviews via CA firms like yours at Rits Capital. 
 
At Rits Capital, CIN checks are step one in our advisory—ensuring compliant portfolios amid NSE/BSE listings. Spot issues early for seamless growth. Questions? Connect for a decode. 

FAQs: CIN Quick Answers 

Q 1: What is CIN full form and who issues it? 

Ans: Corporate Identification Number, issued by ROC under MCA to all Indian companies (not LLPs). 

Q 2: How do I find a company’s CIN? 

Ans: MCA portal search, Certificate of Incorporation, or paid tools like Tofler—free basic info. 

Q 3: Is CIN same as Company Registration Number? 

Ans: No—CRN is the last 6 digits; CIN is full 21-digit code with extras. 

Q 4: Penalty for not displaying CIN? 

Ans: ₹1,000/day per officer (max ₹1 lakh), plus company fines—5,000 cases in 2025. 

Q 5: Does CIN change if company relocates? 

Ans: Yes, file Form INC-22/27 for state shift; new CIN issued. 

Q 6: CIN vs LLPIN or GSTIN? 

Ans: CIN for companies (MCA); LLPIN for LLPs; GSTIN for taxes.[14] 

At Rits Capital, CIN checks are step one in our advisory—ensuring compliant portfolios amid NSE/BSE listings. Spot issues early for seamless growth. Questions? Connect for a decode.