Form INC - 22A: ACTIVE (Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification)

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) introduced Form INC-22A, commonly known as ACTIVE (Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification), as a KYC compliance measure under the Companies Act, 2013. This form aims to validate the registered office address and key company details of all active companies. Once Form INC-22A is filed, the MCA verifies the submitted information. Upon successful verification, the company is officially tagged as ‘ACTIVE’ in the MCA records, indicating compliance with statutory requirements and eligibility to proceed with specific regulatory filings.

What is Form INC-22A (ACTIVE)?

Form INC‑22A (ACTIVE), which stands for Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification, was introduced under the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Its primary objective is to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of company data and to physically verify the registered office of companies.

Filing this form is mandatory for companies incorporated on or before December 31, 2017, in order to be classified as ‘ACTIVE’ in MCA’s records. Failure to file can result in restrictions on key filings and compliance actions.

MCA introduces Web-based Form INC-22A under Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2025

Through G.S.R. 426(E) dated 27th June 2025, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) amended Rule 25A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, by introducing the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2025. The existing e-Form INC-22A has now been replaced with a web-based version. Companies must file the web-based INC-22A through the MCA portal starting July 14, 2025.

This amendment is part of the MCA’s broader digital transformation initiative aimed at:

Streamlining the compliance process
Reducing technical filing errors
Enabling real-time data validation
Improving user experience through digitisation

Applicability of Form INC- 22A

Form INC‑22A (ACTIVE) is applicable to all companies incorporated on or before 31st December 2017, unless specifically exempted.

Exempted from Filing

The following companies are not required to file Form INC-22A:

Companies incorporated on or after 1st January 2018
Companies struck off from the register
Companies under the process of strike-off
Companies under liquidation
Companies which have been amalgamated
Companies which have been dissolved

Restrictions on Filing Form INC-22A

Companies that have not filed their Financial Statements (under Section 137), or Annual Returns (under Section 92), or both, will be restricted from filing Form INC-22A (ACTIVE).

Exception: A company under management dispute, if such dispute is officially recorded with the Registrar, may be permitted to file the form despite non-compliance with Sections 137 or 92.

Information required to File Form INC-22A (ACTIVE)

To file the web-based Form INC-22A (ACTIVE) under the amended Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2025, companies must first ensure that all pending statutory filings—especially financial statements (Section 137) and annual returns (Section 92) are duly completed.

Once compliant, the company must provide the following details while submitting the form through the MCA portal:

Company & Registered Office Details

Name of the Company
CIN (Corporate Identification Number) – Auto-filled based on company records
Registered Office Address with Pincode
Geolocation Coordinates (Latitude & Longitude) – Mapped via integrated geo-tagging
Email ID and Mobile Number – OTP verification is mandatory

Photographs of the Registered Office

One external view
One internal view showing at least one Director or KMP physically present

Director Details

DIN (Director Identification Number) of all current directors
Status of each DIN (must be "Approved" and not disqualified)
Number and names of directors

Statutory Auditor Details

Name of the audit firm
PAN of the firm
Firm Registration Number
Period of Appointment

Cost Auditor Details (If applicable)

Name of Individual/Firm/LLP
Membership Number
Firm Registration Number
Financial Year covered

Key Managerial Personnel (KMP)

For each applicable role, provide:

Name
DIN or PAN
Designation (MD, CEO, Manager, WTD, etc.)

Company Secretary (if applicable)

Name
Membership Number
PAN

Chief Financial Officer (if applicable)

Name
PAN

Details of the following filings for Fy 2017-18:

Form AOC4 / AOC4 XBRL – SRN (Service Request Number)
Form MGT7 – SRN

Certification Details

Details of certifying professional (CA/CS/CMA)
Name
Whether Associate or Fellow?
Membership Number
Certificate of Practice Number

Consequences of Non-Filing of Form INC-22A (ACTIVE)

Companies that fail to file the web-based Form INC-22A (ACTIVE) will be marked as ‘ACTIVE – Non Compliant’ in the records of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). This status comes with serious compliance restrictions, as outlined below:

Restrictions on Filing Key Forms

The Registrar of Companies (ROC) shall not accept or process the following filings for companies marked as "ACTIVE – Non Compliant":

SH-07 – For change in Authorised Share Capital
PAS-03 – For Return of Allotment
DIR-12 – For changes in directors (except in certain cases)
INC-22 – For Change of Registered Office
INC-28 – Amalgamation, Demerger, etc.

Additional Compliance Requirements

Before filing the new web-based INC-22A, companies must ensure the following:

All past due returns (such as Financial Statements under Section 137 and Annual Returns under Section 92) are filed.
The Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the authorised signatory is active and valid.
MCA records (including directors' DIN status) are updated and accurate.
The required geo-tagged photos of the registered office (internal and external) are ready and compliant.

Key Takeaways

MCA has replaced the old e-Form with a web-based version, effective 14th July 2025, under the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2025.

Companies must provide geotagged office photos, director, KMP and auditor details, and ensure all past filings (AOC-4, MGT-7) are completed.
Non-compliance results in “ACTIVE – Non Compliant” status, which restricts critical filings like SH-07, PAS-03, DIR-12 and a few others.

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Form INC-22A (ACTIVE) – FAQs

1. What is Form INC-22A (ACTIVE)?

Form INC-22A, known as ACTIVE (Active Company Tagging Identities and Verification), is a compliance form introduced by the MCA to verify the registered office and essential details of a company. It helps tag a company as "ACTIVE" in MCA records, allowing it to carry out further statutory filings.

2. Who is required to file Form INC-22A?

All companies incorporated on or before 31st December 2017 must file INC-22A, unless they are exempt (e.g., struck-off, dissolved, under liquidation or amalgamated).

3. What is the last date for filing the web-based Form INC-22A in 2025?

The web-based form becomes effective from 14th July 2025.

4. What if my company fails to file Form INC-22A?

It will be marked as "ACTIVE – Non Compliant". As a result, it will be restricted from filing key forms like SH-07, PAS-03, DIR-12 (except in certain cases), INC-22 and INC-28.

5. Is the new version of Form INC-22A available offline or as an e-Form?

No, from 14th July 2025, Form INC-22A can only be filed online through MCA’s web-based interface. The old e-Form version is discontinued.

6. What information is required to file the new INC-22A?

Company details and geolocation
Geo-tagged internal and external office photos
Director and KMP details
Auditor details (Statutory and Cost, if applicable)
Filing history (AOC-4, MGT-7)
Certification by a CA/CS/CMA

7. Can I file INC-22A if the company hasn’t filed financial statements or annual return?

No. Companies that haven’t filed returns under Section 137 or 92 cannot file INC-22A.Exception: If a management dispute is officially recorded with the Registrar, filing may still be allowed.

8. Is OTP verification mandatory for filing the form?

Yes, the company's email ID and mobile number must be OTP verified during submission of the web-based Form INC-22A.

9. Is the DSC of the signatory required for filing the form?

Yes, a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of an authorised director or professional is mandatory for submission.

Form INC22A - ACTIVE Company Tagging - MCA