What is CIN Number of Company?

A CIN (Corporate Identity Number) is a unique 21-character identification number allotted by the Registrar of Companies (ROC) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to every company incorporated in India.

CIN acts as the official identity of a company and helps government authorities, investors, banks, customers and other stakeholders verify company details.

Every company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 receives a CIN after successful incorporation.

What is the Full Form of CIN?

The full form of CIN is:

Corporate Identity Number

It is a unique identification code issued by the ROC to identify companies registered in India.

Why is CIN Number Important?

CIN number is important for the following reasons:

1. Legal Identification of Company

A company is considered a separate legal entity after incorporation. CIN helps identify that legal entity in government records.

2. Corporate Transparency

CIN allows stakeholders to verify:

• • Company name

• • Date of incorporation

• • Company status

• • Registered office details

• • Directors’ information

• • Filing history

3. Mandatory Compliance

Under the Companies Act, 2013, companies are required to mention CIN on official documents.

4. Helps Investors and Stakeholders

Investors, lenders and customers can verify whether a company is properly registered and active.

CIN Number Format Explained With Example

A CIN contains 21 characters consisting of alphabets and numbers.

Example:

U12345DL2024PTC123456

The meaning of each section is explained below:

Part of CIN	Meaning	Example
First Letter	Listing status	U = Unlisted
Five Digits	Industry code	12345
Two Letters	State code	DL = Delhi
Four Digits	Year of incorporation	2024
Three Letters	Company type	PTC
Six Digits	ROC registration number	123456

Types of Companies Based on CIN Codes

Listed Company (L)

The first letter L represents a listed company.

Example:

Reliance Industries Limited is a listed public company whose shares are traded on recognised stock exchanges.

Unlisted Company (U)

The first letter U represents an unlisted company.

Examples:

• • Private limited companies

• • Unlisted public companies

Company Type Codes in CIN With Examples

Does a Foreign Company Have CIN?

A foreign company registered in India does not generally receive a CIN like an Indian incorporated company.

Foreign companies are registered under the foreign company provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and receive a separate registration number known as FCRN (Foreign Company Registration Number).

Examples:

• • Microsoft Corporation operates in India through Indian registered entities.

• • Google LLC operates in India through Indian subsidiaries.

The Indian subsidiary receives its own CIN because it is incorporated in India.

Legal Provision for Mentioning CIN

The requirement to mention CIN is provided under:

Section 12(3)(c) of Companies Act, 2013

Section 12(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 mandates that every company shall print its name, registered office address, Corporate Identity Number (CIN), telephone number, fax number (if any), e-mail address, and website address (if any) on all business letters, billheads, letter papers, notices, and other official publications. The company must also print its name on hundies, promissory notes, bills of exchange, and such other prescribed documents.

•  This provision promotes transparency and easy identification of companies.

Penalty for Not Mentioning CIN

Failure to comply with statutory disclosure requirements may result in penalties under the Companies Act, 2013.

Companies should ensure that CIN details are correctly displayed on all documents where required.

How to Find CIN Number of a Company?

A CIN can be found through the MCA website.

Steps:

1. 1. Visit MCA company search services.

1. 1. Enter company name or registration details.

1. 1. View company master data.

1. 1. Check the CIN displayed in company details.

CIN can also be found on:

• • Company website

• • Annual reports

• • Invoices

• • Letterheads

• • Official documents

Difference Between CIN and Company Registration Number

CIN	Registration Number
21-character identification number	ROC allotted registration number
Contains company information	Only identifies registration
Used for complete corporate identification	Used as incorporation reference

The ROC registration number is included as part of the CIN.

Can CIN Number Change?

Generally, CIN remains unchanged throughout the life of a company.

However, it may change due to:

• • Change in listing status

• • Change in registered state

• • Change in company category

The updated CIN is reflected in MCA records.

Case Laws Related to Separate Corporate Identity of Companies

Salomon v. A. Salomon & Co. Ltd. (1897)

The landmark case of Salomon v. A. Salomon & Co. Ltd. established the principle of separate legal personality.

The court held that a company has an identity separate from its shareholders.

Importance of the Judgment

This principle explains why every incorporated company receives a separate identity number such as CIN.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is CIN number in a company?

CIN is a unique 21-character Corporate Identity Number allotted by ROC to companies registered in India.

Q2. Who issues CIN?

CIN is issued by the Registrar of Companies under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Q3. Is CIN mandatory for private limited companies?

Yes, every private limited company incorporated in India receives a CIN.

Q4. Is CIN required for LLP?

No. LLPs have a separate identification number called LLPIN.

Q5. Where can CIN be displayed?

CIN should be displayed on official documents such as invoices, letters, notices and publications.

Q6. Can two companies have the same CIN?

No. Every company has a unique CIN.

Conclusion

Businesses should ensure that their CIN is correctly mentioned on official documents and regularly updated in MCA records.