Summary: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), through its President CS Pawan G. Chandak, has represented to the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, regarding the non-functionality of the registration process on the E-Sahaj Sewa Portal. The representation, dated August 28, 2026, draws attention to the proviso to Rule 8 and Rule 10(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, under which security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs is required in specified cases involving a proposed director or an applicant for Director Identification Number who is a national of a country sharing a land border with India. ([ICSI][1])
ICSI states that the E-Sahaj Sewa portal, operationalised by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and maintained by the National Informatics Centre, is presently facing issues with its registration module. According to the representation, this is making it difficult for companies and professionals to obtain the mandatory security clearance within the prescribed compliance framework.
ICSI has requested immediate resolution of the technical issues, particularly the registration and redirection links, and restoration of the “Contact Us” and “User Help Manual” features. As an interim measure, it has suggested a dedicated email channel or helpdesk for submission and processing of security clearance requests until the portal becomes fully functional. The representation states that the technical difficulties are causing delays in director appointments and DIN-related compliances and are adversely affecting corporate operations and ease of doing business, including matters where Foreign Investment remains on hold pending clearance and approval.
THE INSTITUTE OF
Company Secretaries of India
IN PURSUIT OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Statutory body under an Act of Parliament
(Under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Corporate Affairs)
G&CL: MCA: AUG:04/2026
August 28, 2026
Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil
Hon’ble Secretary
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Government of India
Respected Madam,
Subject: Representation regarding non-functionality of the registration process on the E-SAHAJ SEWA Portal
Greetings from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India!
At the outset, we would like to express our sincere appreciation for the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) in strengthening the corporate regulatory framework and facilitating the ease of doing business in India.
We wish to draw your kind attention to the proviso to Rule 8 and Rule 10(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, which require prior security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for allotment of DIN and Appointment of a proposed director who is a national of a country sharing a land border with India.
The requisite security clearance is required to be submitted along with the consent and relevant DIN/appointment forms. For processing such applications, a dedicated portal, namely “E-Sahaj Sewa”, has been operationalised by the MCA and is maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
However, representations have been received regarding the non-functionality of the registration module of the portal, making it difficult for companies and professionals to obtain the mandatory security clearance within the prescribed compliance framework.
ICSI Submission
In view of the above, it is requested that the matter may kindly be taken up with NIC for immediate resolution of the technical issues, particularly the registration and redirection links, and restoration of the “Contact Us” and “User Help Manual” features on the “E-Sahaj Sewa” portal.
As an interim measure, NIC may also consider providing an alternative mechanism, such as a dedicated email channel, or a dedicated helpdesk for submission and processing of security clearance requests until the portal is fully functional.
Justification
The present technical issues are hindering stakeholders from complying with a mandatory statutory requirement despite their bona fide intention to do so. In the absence of an alternative submission mechanism and functional support channels, the issue is causing delays in director appointments and DIN-related compliances, adversely affecting corporate operations and ease of doing business particularly in the matters where the Foreign Investment is kept on hold till the same is cleared & approved by the authorities.
We, therefore, request your kind and expeditious intervention for resolution of the matter and restoration of the portal functionality.
We will be pleased to furnish any additional information/clarification required in this matter.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
(CS Pawan G. Chandak)
President
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India
