Most company documents are publicly available on mca.gov.in. When should I use RTI instead of the MCA21 portal?

The MCA21 portal at mca.gov.in provides free public access to a large volume of company filings — you can view a company's master data (registration status, registered address, directors), download filed forms such as annual returns (MGT-7), financial statements (AOC-4), and charge documents. RTI becomes necessary in four situations where the portal is insufficient: (1) the documents you need are missing from the portal or appear incomplete — RTI can confirm whether the filing was made at all and get you a certified copy; (2) you need a certified copy for use in legal proceedings — documents downloaded from the portal are not certified; RTI can request a copy certified under the Registrar's seal; (3) you need internal ROC records that are never made public — such as inspection reports under Section 206/207, internal correspondence about a company's striking-off proceedings, the grounds recorded by the ROC for a disqualification entry, or the details of a complaint you filed; and (4) you need to establish whether a specific notice was served or whether a specific action was taken — the portal does not show ROC's internal action on enforcement matters. In short: use the MCA21 portal first; use RTI when the portal gives you incomplete information, you need certified copies, or you are seeking internal ROC action records.

How can RTI establish whether a person's DIN is disqualified under Section 164(2) of the Companies Act, 2013?

Under Section 164(2) of the Companies Act, 2013, a director of a company that has failed to file annual returns for three consecutive financial years, or has failed to repay deposits or pay dividend for one year, becomes automatically disqualified for five years from being reappointed to that company or appointed to any other company. The ROC maintains a register of disqualified directors. While MCA publishes a consolidated list of disqualified DINs on mca.gov.in periodically, that list may be outdated, incomplete, or not show the specific grounds for a particular DIN. RTI to the relevant state ROC can give you: (1) whether a specific DIN is recorded as disqualified in ROC's current register; (2) the name and CIN of the company(ies) for which the disqualification was triggered; (3) the specific default that caused the disqualification (failure to file annual returns vs. non-payment of deposits/dividend); (4) the date the disqualification was entered; and (5) whether any court or NCLT has stayed or set aside the disqualification. This RTI information is important for investors, lenders, and counterparties who need to verify that a company's directors are validly appointed.

I invested in a company that appears to have wound up or disappeared. How can RTI help me track the company's status and whether creditor claims are being addressed?

If the company's MCA21 master data shows it as 'Struck Off', 'Under Liquidation', or 'Active (with default)', RTI to the relevant state ROC can help you build a picture of what happened. You can ask: (1) the current status of the company — whether it is under voluntary liquidation under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), under NCLT-ordered liquidation, or simply struck off under Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013; (2) for struck-off companies — the grounds and timeline of the striking-off, and whether any restoration petition has been filed before the NCLT under Section 252; (3) whether a winding-up petition has been admitted by the NCLT, the name of the liquidator (if appointed), and the current stage of proceedings; (4) the last balance sheet and annual return filed by the company before it went into default — which discloses its assets, liabilities, and secured creditors at that time. Note that if the matter has moved to NCLT liquidation under the IBC, you will also need to check the NCLT records independently, as those proceedings are under NCLT jurisdiction. RTI to the ROC covers the pre-liquidation corporate record; the liquidation process itself is under the IBC framework.

Can RTI get me information about an ongoing SFIO investigation into a company?

RTI gives very limited information about ongoing Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) investigations, and you should not expect substantive disclosure. SFIO is a multi-disciplinary body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs established under Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013, with powers to investigate serious fraud. Once an investigation is ordered by the Central Government and SFIO takes over, the investigation file — including the scope of investigation, witnesses examined, documents seized, preliminary findings, and draft report — is exempt from RTI disclosure under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act, which exempts information whose disclosure would impede the process of investigation or prosecution. What RTI can potentially confirm, even for an ongoing SFIO case, is: (1) whether an investigation order has been issued by the Central Government in respect of a specific company; (2) whether SFIO's investigation has concluded and a report has been submitted (without the contents of the report); (3) whether prosecution has been launched. Once an investigation is completed and a prosecution complaint is filed, more information may become disclosable. For an ongoing investigation, however, RTI responses will typically cite Section 8(1)(h) and provide minimal substantive information.

Which ROC office should I file my RTI with, and how do I identify the correct one from a company's CIN?

India has 25 ROC offices, each covering one or more states or union territories, and you must file with the ROC that registered the company. The easiest way to identify the correct ROC from a Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is to decode the CIN format. A CIN follows the structure: L/U + 5-digit NIC code + 2-letter state code + 4-digit year + PLC/PTC/NPL/OPC + 6-digit sequential number. The two-letter state code (positions 8–9 of the CIN) identifies the state of incorporation: MH = Maharashtra (ROC Mumbai or Pune), DL = Delhi, KA = Karnataka (Bengaluru), TN = Tamil Nadu (Chennai), WB = West Bengal (Kolkata), GJ = Gujarat (Ahmedabad), UP = Uttar Pradesh (Kanpur), AP = Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad), RJ = Rajasthan (Jaipur), and so on. Once you identify the state, go to rtionline.gov.in, select Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and you will see the ROC offices listed by state/city. For the LLP equivalent, use the LLPIN (LLP Identification Number), which follows a similar state-code convention. If you are unsure, the MCA21 master data for the company (available free on mca.gov.in) shows the exact ROC under which the company is registered in the 'Registrar of Companies' field.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with MCA or ROC — Company Registration Status, Director Disqualification and ROC Inspection

Central Government

How to File RTI with MCA or ROC — Company Registration Status, Director Disqualification and ROC Inspection

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) or Registrar of Companies (ROC) for company/LLP active status, director DIN disqualification under Section 164(2) of the Companies Act 2013, ROC inspection report, documents not available on MCA21 portal, striking-off proceedings and grounds, and complaint action taken. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryMinistry of Corporate Affairs

Address RTI ToCPIO, Registrar of Companies (relevant state ROC office) / CPIO, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) oversees company law in India under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Act, 2008. Under MCA, the Registrar of Companies (ROC) — one office per state or union territory — handles incorporation, annual filings, director management, inspection, and winding-up proceedings for companies and LLPs. Both MCA and each ROC office are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, and are fully subject to RTI obligations.

RTI to MCA or the ROC is most useful when the MCA21 public portal (mca.gov.in) does not give you the information you need — because the filing is missing, you need a certified copy, or you are seeking internal records such as inspection reports, disqualification registers, striking-off notices, or complaint action.

MCA21 Portal vs. RTI

The MCA21 portal at mca.gov.in makes a large body of company information publicly available at no cost. RTI is the correct tool when portal access is insufficient. The table below shows the distinction clearly.

Information	Available Free on MCA21 Portal	Requires RTI
Company master data — CIN, registered address, status, date of incorporation	Yes	No — check portal first
Director details — DIN, name, current companies	Yes	No — check portal first
Filed annual returns (Form MGT-7) and financial statements (Form AOC-4) — recent years	Usually yes (fees for download)	If missing from portal or certified copy needed
Published list of disqualified DINs	Partial (periodically updated)	For specific grounds, date of entry, and current status
Charge documents, change of registered office	Yes	If missing or certified copy needed
ROC inspection report (Section 206/207)	No — internal ROC document	Yes — RTI after inspection is completed
Striking-off show-cause notice and grounds	No	Yes
Action taken on a complaint filed with ROC	No	Yes
SFIO investigation details	No	Limited — Section 8(1)(h) applies to ongoing cases
Certified copies for court proceedings	No	Yes — RTI or direct certified copy request to ROC

Practical rule: Check mca.gov.in first. If the information is incomplete, missing, or you need a certified copy, or if you are seeking internal ROC records, file an RTI.

Which MCA Body to RTI

MCA operates through two levels: state-level ROC offices handle company-specific filings and enforcement; MCA Headquarters in New Delhi handles policy, cross-ROC coordination, and SFIO. Filing with the correct office avoids unnecessary transfer delays.

Query	Correct Respondent	Portal Navigation	Second Appeal
Company / LLP active status, annual filings, director DIN disqualification (Section 164(2)), striking-off proceedings, ROC inspection report, complaint action	CPIO, Registrar of Companies (relevant state)	rtionline.gov.in → Ministry of Corporate Affairs → Registrar of Companies (state)	Central Information Commission (CIC)
LLP agreement, designated partner details, LLP winding-up	CPIO, Registrar of Companies (state where LLP is registered)	rtionline.gov.in → Ministry of Corporate Affairs → Registrar of Companies (state)	Central Information Commission (CIC)
SFIO investigation status (concluded investigations), Central Government investigation order	CPIO, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001	rtionline.gov.in → Ministry of Corporate Affairs (HQ)	Central Information Commission (CIC)
MCA policy on company law, Companies Act 2013 rules, general circulars	CPIO, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001	rtionline.gov.in → Ministry of Corporate Affairs (HQ)	Central Information Commission (CIC)

How to identify the correct state ROC: Decode the CIN — the two-letter state code (e.g., MH, DL, KA, TN) identifies the registering state. See the FAQ below for a full explanation.

Common RTI Use Cases

Issue	What to Ask via RTI	What to Expect
Company appears inactive or missing from portal	Current status (Active / Struck Off / Under Liquidation / NCLT) as per ROC records; default in annual filings	Confirmation of current status, date of striking-off or winding-up order
Director of a company I deal with may be disqualified	Whether DIN XXX is disqualified under Section 164(2); grounds and date of disqualification; list of affected companies	ROC's disqualification register entry for that DIN
ROC conducted an inspection — want to know outcome	Whether inspection under Section 206/207 was conducted; copy of completed inspection report; action taken	Inspection report (once completed); notice of prosecution or no-action finding
Annual return / balance sheet not on MCA21 portal	Whether the filing was made; certified copy of MGT-7 / AOC-4 for specified financial year	Confirmation of filing or non-filing; certified copy if filed
Company struck off — want to know grounds and notice	Grounds for striking off under Section 248; date and address of show-cause notice; gazette notification date	Striking-off file: grounds, notice details, any response received from company
Filed a complaint with ROC — no acknowledgement	Whether complaint was received and registered; action taken or reasons for no action	Complaint registration status; action taken or reasons recorded for no action

What Specific Information Can You Ask For

Company / LLP active status: Current status — Active, Struck Off, Under Liquidation, Dormant — as per ROC records; whether the company is in default of annual filings and for which years; whether any NCLT proceeding is pending.
Director DIN disqualification under Section 164(2): Whether a specific DIN is recorded as disqualified; the ground (failure to file returns or failure to repay deposits/pay dividend); the date of entry of disqualification; the list of companies for which disqualification was triggered; whether any court has stayed or lifted the disqualification.
ROC inspection report under Section 206/207: Whether an inspection has been conducted and its date; a copy of the completed inspection report; the action taken pursuant to the inspection — show-cause notice, prosecution, compounding.
Documents filed with ROC: Certified copy of the latest annual return (Form MGT-7); certified copy of financial statements (Form AOC-4); filings related to change of directors (Form DIR-12) or change of registered office (Form INC-22) — when not available on or missing from the MCA21 portal.
Striking-off proceedings and grounds under Section 248: The specific grounds on which striking-off proceedings were initiated; the date and mode of service of the show-cause notice; any response filed by the company; the gazette notification date and issue number; whether any restoration petition has been filed.
Complaint action: Whether a specific complaint was received and registered; current status of any inquiry, inspection, or prosecution initiated pursuant to the complaint; if no action was taken, the reasons recorded therefor.

Where to File

Step by Step

Visit rtionline.gov.in
Click Submit Request and register or log in with your Aadhaar / mobile OTP
Select: Ministry of Corporate Affairs → Registrar of Companies → Select your state ROC
In the application text, provide the company name, CIN / LLPIN, and director DIN (as applicable), and your specific numbered questions. Keep text under 3,000 characters; attach a document if your request is longer.
Pay ₹10 online. BPL cardholders are exempt — upload a copy of the BPL card.
Save the registration number shown after submission.

For MCA Headquarters queries (SFIO investigation status, policy):

Select: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (without selecting a state ROC)

Major ROC Offices by State

State / UT	ROC Office
Delhi (NCT)	ROC, Delhi — NBCC Complex, East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi
Maharashtra (Mumbai)	ROC, Mumbai — 100, Everest, Marine Lines, Mumbai
Maharashtra (Pune)	ROC, Pune — PMT Building, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune
Karnataka	ROC, Bengaluru — E-Wing, 2nd Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bengaluru
Tamil Nadu	ROC, Chennai — Corporate Bhavan, MGR Salai, Nandanam, Chennai
West Bengal	ROC, Kolkata — Nizam Palace, 234/4 A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata
Gujarat	ROC, Ahmedabad — ROC Bhavan, Opp. Rupal Park Society, Naranpura, Ahmedabad
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh	ROC, Hyderabad — 2nd Floor, Corporate Bhavan, GSI Post, Nagole, Hyderabad
Rajasthan	ROC, Jaipur — Corporate Bhavan, G-Block, Vidhyadhar Nagar, Jaipur
Uttar Pradesh	ROC, Kanpur — 10/499-B, Khalasi Line, Kanpur

For other states and UTs, the complete list of ROC offices is available on mca.gov.in under the ROC Directory.

Appeals

The ROC and MCA have 30 days from receipt to respond under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act. If the response is absent, incomplete, or unsatisfactory:

First Appeal — Section 19(1), RTI Act: File with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — typically a senior officer at the same ROC or at MCA HQ — within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. State the specific information that was not provided and why the response was inadequate.

Second Appeal — Section 19(3), RTI Act: If the FAA also fails to respond or gives an inadequate response, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the date it should have been made. MCA and all ROC offices are Central Government bodies — second appeal is the CIC, not any State Information Commission.

Section 20 Penalty: The CIC is empowered under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on a CPIO who, without reasonable cause, refuses to receive an application, does not furnish information within the time limit, or gives incorrect information. Mentioning this provision in your second appeal often prompts a substantive response.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
Registrar of Companies,
[Name of State ROC Office and Full Address]

(Alternative for MCA HQ policy queries: CPIO, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001)

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Company / LLP Status, Director DIN Disqualification, ROC Inspection Report and Related Information

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, and request the following information:

Entity details (as applicable):
  Company / LLP Name: [Full registered name]
  Corporate Identification Number (CIN) / LLPIN: [CIN or LLPIN]
  Director / Designated Partner Name (if applicable): [Full name]
  Director Identification Number (DIN): [DIN, if applicable]
  Date of Incorporation: [DD/MM/YYYY, if known]

Information sought:

1. COMPANY / LLP ACTIVE STATUS:
   a. The current status of the company / LLP bearing CIN / LLPIN [XXX] as maintained in the records of this ROC office — specifically whether it is Active, Struck Off, Under Liquidation, Under Winding-Up, Dormant, or subject to any NCLT proceedings.
   b. If the company / LLP has been struck off, the date of striking off, the section under which it was struck off, and whether a restoration application has been filed.
   c. Whether the above company / LLP is in default of filing annual returns (Form MGT-7) or financial statements (Form AOC-4) — and if yes, for which financial years.

2. DIRECTOR DIN DISQUALIFICATION STATUS:
   a. Whether the Director Identification Number (DIN) [XXX] held by [Director Name] is currently disqualified under Section 164(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 — and if yes, the specific ground of disqualification, the date on which the disqualification was entered in the records of this office, and the period of disqualification.
   b. A list of companies for which the above DIN has been disqualified under Section 164(2), as maintained in the records of this ROC.
   c. Whether any representation or application for removal of disqualification has been filed by the above director — and if yes, the current status.

3. ROC INSPECTION REPORT (for completed inspections only):
   a. Whether any inspection under Section 206 or Section 207 of the Companies Act, 2013 has been conducted in respect of [Company Name / CIN], and if yes, the date(s) of inspection and the inspecting officer's name.
   b. A copy of the inspection report for the inspection conducted on [approximate date / financial year] — to the extent it is not exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act.
   c. The action taken, if any, by this office pursuant to the above inspection report.

4. DOCUMENTS FILED WITH ROC (if not accessible on MCA21 portal):
   a. A certified copy of the latest Annual Return (Form MGT-7) filed by [Company Name / CIN] with this office for the financial year [YYYY-YY].
   b. A certified copy of the latest Financial Statements (Form AOC-4 / Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Account) filed by [Company Name / CIN] for the financial year [YYYY-YY].
   c. Whether the above company has filed a Change of Registered Office (Form INC-22 / DIR-12) in the last two years — and if yes, the new registered address and date of filing.

5. STRIKING-OFF PROCEEDINGS AND GROUNDS:
   a. The specific grounds on which proceedings were initiated to strike off [Company Name / CIN] under Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013 — specifically whether it was due to failure to file annual returns, failure to commence business, or any other reason.
   b. The date on which the show-cause notice was issued to the company under Section 248(1) and the address to which it was sent.
   c. Whether any response was received from the company / its directors to the show-cause notice — and if yes, its outcome.
   d. The date of publication of the striking-off notice in the Official Gazette.

6. STATUS OF COMPLAINT FILED WITH ROC:
   a. Whether a complaint / grievance submitted by [Name of Complainant] on [approximate date] or with reference number [Ref. No., if available] regarding [Company Name / CIN] was received and registered by this office.
   b. The current status of action taken on the above complaint — whether an inquiry, inspection, or prosecution has been initiated.
   c. If no action has been taken, the reasons recorded therefor.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

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