Hello Business Community!
We've got some crucial news for all companies, consultants, and stakeholders dealing with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) filings. The MCA has just released an important General Circular (No. 01/2025, dated June 16, 2025) that offers a significant breather for many of you.
What's Happening? The Big Transition!
As you might be aware, the MCA21 portal, your go-to platform for all corporate filings, is undergoing a major upgrade. It's transitioning from Version 2 (V2) to a more advanced Version 3 (V3). This is a massive undertaking designed to streamline processes and improve your filing experience in the long run.
However, with such a significant system migration, there's a temporary phase where certain e-forms will be unavailable. The Ministry has scheduled this system migration phase from June 18, 2025, to July 13, 2025 (both dates inclusive). During this period, 13 specific e-forms (which we'll list shortly) will be temporarily inaccessible for filing.
Good News! Fee Relaxation Ahead!
Recognizing the potential challenges this transition might pose, especially concerning compliance deadlines, the Competent Authority has stepped in with a welcome relief.
If the original due date (i.e., the last date for filing without incurring additional fees) or the resubmission date for any of these 13 e-forms falls between June 18, 2025, and July 31, 2025 (both dates inclusive), you're in luck! The MCA has decided to allow the filing of these forms without levying any additional fees up to August 15, 2025.
This is a fantastic opportunity to avoid those pesky extra charges and ensure your compliance remains on track despite the system upgrade.
Which Forms Are Covered? Here's the Full List!
This fee relaxation applies to the following 13 essential e-forms:
- AOC-4: Form for filing financial statements and other documents with the Registrar.
- AOC-4 NBFC: For Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) filing financial statements.
- AOC-4 CFS: Consolidated financial statements.
- AOC-4 NBFC (CFS): Consolidated financial statements for NBFCs.
- AOC-4 XBRL: Financial statements in XBRL format.
- MGT-7/MGT-7A: Annual Return.
- MGT-15: Report on Annual General Meeting.
- GNL-1: Application for extension of AGM.
- LEAP-1: Submission of Prospectus with the Registrar.
- ADT-1: Appointment of Auditor.
- ADT-3: Resignation by Auditor.
- CRA-2: Appointment of Cost Auditor.
- CRA-4: Cost Audit Report.
What Does This Mean for You?
Essentially, if your company needs to file any of the above forms and its original deadline (or resubmission date) falls within the specified window (June 18, 2025, to July 31, 2025), you now have until August 15, 2025, to file them without any additional fees.
Important Note: This relaxation is a one-time measure, specifically granted due to the technical constraints of the system transition. It's crucial for all stakeholders to complete their necessary filings promptly once the relevant forms become live on the new MCA21 V3 portal. Don't wait until the last minute!
Stay compliant, and happy filing!
(This circular has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority. For any further details, you can refer to the official circular on the Ministry's website.)