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What is Secretarial Compliance Under Companies Act, 2013 for Foreign Companies in India?

Secretarial compliance refers to mandatory legal, governance, and reporting requirements prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013. Every company registered in India—including foreign-owned and NRI-owned companies—must comply with ROC (Registrar of Companies) regulations to remain legally active and penalty-free.

These compliances ensure that your company’s records, filings, and governance structure are transparent, updated, and audit-ready. Failure to comply can result in heavy penalties, director disqualification, and even company strike-off.

Our Secretarial Compliance & ROC Filing Services in India are designed to manage these obligations end-to-end so founders can focus on growing their business.

We provide complete ROC compliance for private limited company, including annual filings and regulatory documentation.

Who Regulates This?

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is the main government body that oversees company law compliance in India. It works through the Registrar of Companies (ROC) to make sure all companies meet their filing, reporting, and documentation obligations.

What Are the Required Compliances?

Foreign companies need to take care of both yearly filings and event-based filings. 

Annual ROC Filings (Mandatory Every Year)

  • DIR-3 KYC – Director KYC verification
  • AOC-4 Filing India – Filing of financial statements
  • MGT-7 Filing India – Company annual return services
  • ADT-1 Filing India – Appointment or reappointment of auditors
  • Form 11 & Form 8 – Applicable for LLPs

Missing any of these leads to automatic late fees and compliance risk.

Event Based Filings (Only When Changes Happen) 

  • Addition or removal of directors
  • Change in company name
  • Increase in authorized share capital
  • Share transfer or allotment
  • Change in registered office
  • Conversion of LLP to Private Limited
  • Strike-off or voluntary closure of company
  • Borrowing from overseas (ECB Reporting)

Our CS and CA firm for ROC filing ensures every event is reported accurately and on time. Businesses must ensure timely company ROC filing services in India to maintain corporate compliance.

Ongoing Records:

  • Statutory registers maintenance in India
  • Keeping records of board and shareholder meeting minutes

What Happens If You Miss a Secretarial Filing?

Non-compliance can be costly and damaging:

  • ₹100 per day per form with no maximum cap
  • Director DIN disqualification or deactivation
  • Company marked as non-compliant on MCA portal
  • Problems in fundraising, audits, or exits
  • ROC-initiated company strike-off

This is why professional India secretarial services for foreign companies are critical.

If you miss a compliance or file it late, the MCA charges a penalty of ₹100 per day per form, with no maximum limit. Delays can also lead to director disqualification, DIN deactivation, or even company closure by the ROC. 

Most Foreign Companies Face These Challenges Handling Secretarial Compliances in India

Lack of awareness about mandatory filings and deadlines.

Heavy late filing penalties due to missed filings.

No in-house Company Secretary to manage legal obligations.

Relying on accountants for secretarial tasks leads to incorrect submission.

Risk of misreporting affecting investor and lender trust.

Public non-compliance records damage brand reputation.

Struggling to keep up with MCA and RBI reporting norms.

Book a 1:1 Meeting With Experts From
Manish Anil Gupta & Co.

The #1 Choice for Indian Secretarial Services for Foreign Companies

Your Post-Registration Compliance Roadmap

From bank accounts to government filings, learn what needs to happen after you incorporate to avoid delays and penalties.

Get Clarity on What’s Mandatory vs. Optional

Not every requirement applies to every business. Understand the essentials that matter for your specific structure and sector.

Top 5 Myths Trapping Foreign Businesses

Foreign business owners overestimate the cost and complexity of doing business in India. Learn what’s true and what’s not.

And Get These Exclusive Bonuses For FREE

Expert Tax Planning Session

5 tax-saving strategies that most founders overlook, all 100% legal.

Full-Year Tax Strategy Blueprint

A custom roadmap to structure your income and expenses smartly all year long.

Tax Health Check

Spot compliance gaps early with a no-cost audit of your current filings.

Full-Year Tax Compliance Calendar

Never miss a deadline with this easy-to-follow month-by-month checklist.

Hear From Those Foreign Companies Who Trusted MAG for Their Compliance

Why MAG Is the #1 Choice for 1,000+ Foreign Companies Running in India

Others MAG
❌ Only annual filings ✅ Complete secretarial compliance for private limited companies
❌ No statutory registers ✅ Full statutory registers maintenance India
❌ Poor documentation ✅ Audit-ready records and resolutions
❌ No follow-up support ✅ Year-round secretarial advisory
❌ Missed ROC deadlines ✅ Dedicated compliance calendar & tracking
❌ No CS involvement ✅ Experienced CS and CA firm for ROC filing

Get your Secretarial Compliance Guide

Your complete yearly roadmap under the Companies Act — from ROC filings to board meetings and director updates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Secretarial compliance includes ROC filings, board meeting records, statutory registers, and director disclosures as per India’s Companies Act, 2013. If ignored, it can lead to penalties, disqualification of directors, or even company strike-off.

You must file:

 

-MGT-7 (Annual Return)

-AOC-4 (Financial Statements)

-ADT-1 (Auditor Appointment/Reappointment)

 

You also need to maintain resolutions, registers, and disclosures year-round. 

Late filing attracts penalties of ₹100 per day per form, with no maximum limits. Continuous non-filing may lead to the company being marked inactive or directors getting disqualified. We track all deadlines and handle timely filings.

Yes. As per the Companies Act, at least 4 board meetings per year are required (or 1 per quarter). We help draft agendas, minutes, and ensure all meetings are properly documented.

Yes. Registers like Register of Members, Directors, Share Certificates, and Charges are mandatory. They must be maintained digitally or physically, and presented during audits or ROC inspection. We maintain these for you.

Yes. Even if there’s no active business or zero turnover, ROC compliances are mandatory. Non-filing leads to penalties and loss of good standing. We help file NIL returns with proper documentation.

Absolutely. Our secretarial team prepares:

 

-Board and shareholder resolutions

-AGM/EGM notices and minutes

-Director disclosures (MBP-1, DIR-8)

-Share certificate formats

 

Everything is formatted, dated, and stored for easy access.

Yes. If your company has missed filings or has been marked inactive, we offer compliance health check and revival services. We’ll file all backdated forms, calculate late fees, and restore your compliance track record.

Both. Our packages include ongoing secretarial support + annual filings.

You’ll be assigned a dedicated secretarial executive, along with a senior CA or CS reviewer for complex filings or restructuring. We track every filing and update you proactively without you chasing us.

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