Sreeram Viswanath

Expert

Published on: Jun 24, 2026

Additional Director - Companies Act 2013

The Board of Directors of a Company, if authorized by the 1, may appoint an additional director. The power conferred on the directors to appoint an Additional Director is a temporary power vested in them, and this will be subject to revision or confirmation in the General Meeting.

Term for Additional Director

A person appointed as an Additional Director can occupy their post until the date of the next Annual General Meeting. In the absence of an Annual General Meeting, their term of appointment will conclude on the date on which the annual general meeting should have been held.

Powers and Obligations

Though appointed on a temporary basis, an additional director is vested with the same powers of a director. Moreover, they are subject to all obligations and limitations of a director. They are also entitled to seek appointment as a permanent director at the Annual General Meeting. The Additional Director must utilize his/her powers in the best interest of the company and the shareholders.

Roles and responsibilities of a Director.

Number of Additional Directors

The number of directors and additional directors taken together shouldn’t exceed the number specified in the Articles of Association. For example, if the Articles of Association of a company permits the appointment of 11 directors in total, and the company currently houses 5 full-time directors, the Board of Directors may appoint 6 additional directors. Further the Board is not authorized to appoint any person as an Additional Director whose resolution for appointment is rejected by the shareholders in a general meeting.

Method of Appointment

The Additional Director may be appointed in a meeting of the Board, which may be held physically or through video conferencing or other audiovisual means. The other applicable method of appointment is through circulation, on which no prohibitions have been meted out. Get in touch with an IndiaFilings Advisor for support with the

appointment of Director.

Eligibility of Additional Directors for Re-appointment

Section 160 of the 2013 Act provides any person other than retiring directors has the right to stand for directorship. Such a director is considered eligible for the post provided that a notice in writing is sent to the

registered office of the company at-least 14 days prior to the general meeting proposing such person as a director.

Additional Director as a Managing Director

The Board of Directors may appoint an additional director as the company’s managing director. The appointment doesn’t mean the additional director escapes the rule pertaining to the terms of service (cessation of term on the date of annual general meeting), but the Additional Director may apply for re-election, and if elected again, may continue the position of a managing director.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Additional Director Appointment under Companies Act 2013.

An Additional Director is a person appointed by the Board of Directors of a company to temporarily serve as a director, subject to confirmation or revision at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM). This power of appointment is granted to the Board if authorized by the company's Articles of Association.
An Additional Director can occupy their post until the date of the next AGM. If there is no AGM scheduled, their term will conclude on the date when the AGM should have been held.
An Additional Director is vested with the same powers and subject to the same obligations and limitations as a regular director. They are expected to utilize their powers in the best interest of the company and its shareholders.
Yes, an Additional Director is entitled to seek appointment as a permanent director at the AGM.
Yes, the total number of directors and additional directors combined should not exceed the maximum number specified in the company's Articles of Association.
No, the Board is not authorized to appoint a person as an Additional Director if their resolution for appointment has been previously rejected by the shareholders in a general meeting.
An Additional Director can be appointed in a Board meeting, either physically or through video conferencing or other audiovisual means. Alternatively, they can be appointed through a circular resolution.
Yes, the Board of Directors can appoint an Additional Director as the company's Managing Director. However, their term as Managing Director will still be subject to the same rules regarding cessation of term on the AGM date.
According to Section 160 of the Companies Act 2013, any person other than a retiring director has the right to stand for directorship, provided a notice in writing is sent to the company's registered office at least 14 days before the general meeting proposing their appointment.
Yes, an Additional Director, like any other director, can exercise their voting rights in Board meetings during their term of appointment.