Several Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) changes affect small private companies and startups. Here is a short list, as at 20 September 2026.
1. Higher limits for a “small company”
The Companies (Specification of Definition Details) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 880(E), 1 December 2025) raised the limits. A small company can now have paid-up capital up to ₹10 crore, up from ₹4 crore. Its turnover can be up to ₹100 crore, up from ₹40 crore. Both conditions must be met.
More companies can therefore use the lighter rules for small companies, including the shorter annual return form MGT-7A.
2. Director KYC once every three years
- G.S.R. 943(E) of 31 December 2025 changed the rules on director KYC, effective 31 March 2026.
- Form DIR-3 KYC-Web is now due once every three financial years, by 30 June.
- Changes in mobile number, email or address must be reported within 30 days.
- Late filing, or reactivation of a DIN, attracts a fee of ₹5,000.
Sources differ on the first due date, so check the notification for your DIN. Older blogs that say “every year by 30 September” are out of date.
3. The CCFS-2026 filing scheme
MCA General Circular 01/2026 (24 February 2026) set up the Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme. It allowed pending forms to be filed on a reduced additional fee. It also offered lower fees for dormant status and for closing a company. The window opened on 15 April 2026. It was extended more than once, most recently to 15 September 2026. Check the MCA website to see whether it has been extended again. After the window, the full late fees apply.
4. New startup recognition rules
A DPIIT notification dated 4 February 2026 replaced the 2019 framework. Reports say the turnover cap for recognition rose from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore, with recognition for 10 years. A new deep tech category has a ₹300 crore cap and a 20-year period.
5. Still pending
The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 23 March 2026. A Joint Parliamentary Committee reported on 3 August 2026. We have found no report that it has passed. Treat its proposals, such as higher small-company limits, as pending.
What to do now
- Check whether your company now qualifies as a small company.
- Diarise your directors’ KYC dates.
- Clear any pending annual filings, since late fees now apply in full.
- If you run a startup, check your DPIIT recognition against the new terms.
Key takeaway
Do a short compliance check this month: company category, director KYC dates and pending filings.