Private Company Compliance Checklist

An Indian private limited company must hold at least four board meetings per year, an Annual General Meeting by 30 September, and file AOC-4 within 30 days and MGT-7 within 60 days of the AGM. It must also file DPT-3 by 30 June, half-yearly MSME-1, and DIR-3 KYC for every director by 30 September. Event-based filings like DIR-12, INC-22, PAS-3, SH-7, MGT-14 and BEN-2 are triggered by changes during the year. Late filings attract additional fees up to 12 times the normal fee, and prolonged default can lead to MCA strike-off and director disqualification.

Mayank Wadhera

Published: 19 Jul 2023

Updated: 16 May 2026

4 min read

Running a private limited company in India means juggling an annual rhythm of MCA filings, audits, statutory registers and board meetings. The Companies Act, 2013 prescribes a tight calendar, and even a small private company can attract heavy penalties for slip-ups. This 2026 checklist consolidates the must-do compliances every Indian private limited company should track in FY 2026-27.

Board, Members and Statutory Meetings

Minimum four board meetings per year, with a gap of not more than 120 days between two consecutive meetings (one meeting per half-year is sufficient for a small company).
First board meeting within 30 days of incorporation.
Annual General Meeting on or before 30 September of the following financial year.
Maintenance of minutes books for board meetings, committee meetings, AGM and EGM.

Annual MCA Filings

AOC-4 — Filing of audited financial statements within 30 days of the AGM.
MGT-7 / MGT-7A — Filing of annual return within 60 days of the AGM (MGT-7A for small companies and OPCs).
DPT-3 — Annual return of deposits and outstanding receipts, due by 30 June.
MSME-1 — Half-yearly return on outstanding payments to MSME suppliers, due by 31 October and 30 April.
DIR-3 KYC — Annual KYC for every director, due by 30 September.

Statutory Registers and Records

Event-Based Compliances

Several forms are triggered only when specific events occur during the year:

INC-22 — Change of registered office.
DIR-12 — Appointment, resignation or change of directors.
SH-7 — Change in authorised capital.
PAS-3 — Allotment of shares.
MGT-14 — Filing of board or special resolutions.
CHG-1 / CHG-4 — Creation, modification or satisfaction of charges.
BEN-2 — Significant beneficial ownership filings.

Income Tax and GST Compliance

Advance tax — four instalments (15 June, 15 September, 15 December, 15 March).
Income tax return — generally by 31 October for companies subject to audit (extended dates apply where transfer pricing reports are required).
TDS returns — quarterly (Form 24Q for salary, 26Q for non-salary, 27Q for non-residents).
GST — GSTR-1, GSTR-3B monthly or QRMP, GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C annually as applicable.

Audit and Internal Controls

Every private company must appoint a statutory auditor within 30 days of incorporation. Tax audit under Section 44AB applies once turnover or professional receipts cross the prescribed limit. Companies above the threshold for cost records must also undertake a cost audit. Internal financial control reporting forms part of the auditor's responsibility.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Late MCA filings attract additional fees up to 12 times the normal fee, and prolonged default exposes directors to disqualification under Section 164(2). Persistent non-filing of AOC-4 and MGT-7 for two or more years triggers MCA strike-off. Other defaults attract specific penalties under each section of the Companies Act.

Director Disqualification Risk

Section 164(2) of the Companies Act disqualifies a director for five years if their company fails to file annual returns and financial statements for any continuous period of three financial years. The disqualification extends to all other companies where the individual is a director. This single provision is the single biggest reason private company directors should never let AOC-4 and MGT-7 slip — the personal cost is much larger than the company-level penalty.

Practical Calendar Discipline

Lock the AGM date in the board calendar at the start of every financial year.
Sequence AOC-4 before MGT-7 to avoid data-mismatch reworks.
Schedule DPT-3 review immediately after audit completion.
Run a quarterly compliance dashboard for board review.
Engage a Company Secretary in practice for high-stake filings such as MGT-8 and BEN-2.

Building Compliance Culture

Compliance discipline is a cultural attribute, not just a process. Boards that take MCA filings seriously also tend to take audits, tax planning and corporate governance seriously. Founders should invest in a basic compliance dashboard, retain a qualified Company Secretary in practice and review the compliance status at every quarterly board meeting. The cost of professional help is modest compared with the cost of director disqualification, strike-off proceedings or investor heartburn during a fundraising round.

Conclusion

Private company compliance is not glamorous but it is unforgiving. A documented calendar tracking AOC-4, MGT-7, DPT-3, DIR-3 KYC, MSME-1 and event-based forms — backed by clean registers and timely tax and GST filings — protects directors and preserves the company's standing through FY 2026-27.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual MCA filings for a private limited company?

The core annual MCA filings are AOC-4 (financial statements) within 30 days of the AGM, MGT-7 or MGT-7A (annual return) within 60 days of the AGM, DPT-3 by 30 June, DIR-3 KYC for each director by 30 September, and half-yearly MSME-1 returns for outstanding MSME payments.

How many board meetings must a private company hold?

A private limited company must hold a minimum of four board meetings every year, with a gap of not more than 120 days between two consecutive meetings. A small company is permitted to hold one board meeting per half-year, subject to the conditions in the Companies Act.

What is MSME-1 and when is it filed?

MSME-1 is a half-yearly return disclosing outstanding payments to MSME suppliers beyond the agreed credit period. It must be filed twice a year — by 31 October for the April–September half-year and by 30 April for the October–March half-year — on the MCA V3 portal.

What happens if a private company misses its filings?

Late MCA filings attract additional fees up to 12 times the normal fee. Prolonged default in AOC-4 and MGT-7 for two consecutive years can trigger strike-off proceedings under Section 248 and disqualify the company's directors for five years under Section 164(2) of the Companies Act.