Chapter XI - Appointment and Qualifications of Directors
Section 170
Section 170: register of directors and key managerial personnel
Every company keeps at its registered office a register of its directors and key managerial personnel, including their securities in the company and group companies, and files a return with the Registrar within thirty days of each appointment or change.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Companies Act, 2013 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) Every company shall keep at its registered office a register containing such particulars of its directors and key managerial personnel as may be prescribed, which shall include the details of securities held by each of them in the company or its holding, subsidiary, subsidiary of company's holding company or associate companies. (2) A return containing such particulars and documents as may be prescribed, of the directors and the key managerial personnel shall be filed with the Registrar within thirty days from the appointment of every director and key managerial personnel, as the case may be, and within thirty days of any change taking place.
Introduction
Section 170(1) requires a register at the registered office with the prescribed particulars of directors and key managerial personnel, including securities held by each of them in the company, its holding, subsidiary, fellow subsidiary or associate companies. Section 170(2) requires a return of the prescribed particulars and documents to be filed with the Registrar within thirty days of each appointment and of any change.
Key takeaways
Register at registered office
Kept at the registered office with prescribed particulars.
Group shareholdings
Includes securities held in the company and its holding, subsidiary, fellow subsidiary or associate companies.
Thirty-day return
File with the Registrar within thirty days of each appointment and of any change.
Maintain the register
Keep the register at the registered office. It contains the prescribed particulars of directors and key managerial personnel and must include the securities held by each of them in the company or its holding, subsidiary, subsidiary of the company’s holding company or associate companies.
File the return
File a return with the prescribed particulars and documents of the directors and key managerial personnel with the Registrar within thirty days of the appointment of every director and key managerial person, and within thirty days of any change.
Inspection
Section 171 deals with members’ right to inspect the register. The Act leaves the detail to rules (“as may be prescribed”). Read the current rules made under this Chapter, as published by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, for forms, fees and procedure before acting.
Practical preparation
Set up the register at the registered office; record all prescribed particulars and group shareholdings; update it on every appointment, cessation or change; file the return within thirty days; keep acknowledgements.
Practical checklist
Do
- Update the register as soon as a change occurs.
- Collect directors’ and KMP’s holdings in group companies as well as in the company.
Avoid
- Do not keep the register only at a corporate office other than the registered office.
- Do not wait for the annual filing cycle to report changes.
Illustrative example
Hypothetical: new chief financial officer
A company appoints a new CFO who holds shares in its holding company.
Record
Enter the CFO’s prescribed particulars in the register, including the holding-company shares.
File
File the return with the Registrar within thirty days of the appointment.
Maintain
Update the register for any later change in holdings.
Outcome
- The register and the Registrar’s records reflect the appointment within the statutory time.
Glossary
- Key managerial personnel (KMP)
- The senior officers defined as key managerial personnel in the Act.
- Associate company
- A company in which another company has significant influence, as defined in the Act.
Frequently asked questions
Where must the register be kept?
At the registered office of the company.
How soon must a change be reported to the Registrar?
Within thirty days of the appointment or of the change.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 11 October 2026