Step-by-Step Guide for Filing MGT-7 on MCA V3 Portal

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) V3 portal has completely revamped the process for filing the Annual Return in Form MGT-7 (for companies other than OPCs and Small Companies) and MGT-7A (for OPCs and Small Companies). The process shifts from offline PDF filling to a smart, web-based system with enhanced validation and mandatory new disclosures.

This guide details the steps for filing MGT-7 on the new V3 portal.

1. Portal Access and Form Selection

The filing is initiated after logging in to the MCA portal as a Business User.

• Log In: Access the official MCA website, www.mca.gov.in, and log in using your registered Business User credentials (typically linked to a Director or the Company).
• Navigate: Go to MCA Services, then E-Filing, then to Annual Filing.
• Select Form: Choose Form MGT-7 (or MGT-7A for Small Companies/OPCs) under the annual filing category.
• Choose Filing Mode: The V3 portal offers flexibility:
  • Online Mode (Web-Based): You fill the entire form directly on the portal.
  • Offline Mode (Utility): You fill in initial details, download an Excel Utility for bulk data (like shareholder lists), fill it offline, and upload it back. This is useful for companies with extensive records.
• Enter CIN: Provide the Corporate Identification Number (CIN). The form will pre-fill the company’s master data (Name, Registered Office, PAN, etc.) .

2. Filling Basic Company and AGM Details

This section establishes the context for the return.

• Financial Year: Select the Financial Year for which the return is being filed.
• AGM Details:
  • State whether the Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held.
  • Provide the Date of AGM and the Due Date of AGM.
  • If the AGM was not held, state the reasons.
  • If an extension for the AGM was granted, provide the SRN of the GNL-1 application.
• Company Status: Provide details of the company’s principal Business Activities and its holding, subsidiary, and associate companies.
• Registered Office Verification: A new mandatory requirement is to provide details and attach:
  • A Photograph of the Registered Office showing the external building and the company name board prominently visible.
  • The Latitude and Longitude of the registered office as of the financial year-end.
• Save Regularly: As a web-based form, it’s essential to click the Save button frequently to prevent loss of data due to session timeout.

3. Entering Shareholding and Indebtedness Data

This is where the core ownership and debt structure is reported.

• Share Capital and Securities: Enter details on the company’s:
  • Share Capital (Authorized, Issued, Subscribed, Paid-up) for Equity and Preference shares.
  • Debentures and Other Securities.
• Shareholding Pattern: Provide the detailed Shareholding Pattern, classifying shares held by Promoters, Public (Non-Promoters), FIIs, etc.
  • New Requirement: Provide a gender-wise breakup of individual shareholders (Male, Female, Transgender).
• Shareholders and Debenture Holders List (Excel Utility): For large lists, you must download the prescribed Excel template, fill in the complete list of shareholders and debenture holders, and then upload the populated Excel file back into the form.
• Indebtedness: Enter the company’s total Indebtedness (secured and unsecured).

4. Details of Management and Meetings

This section focuses on the people managing the company and its formal governance.

• Directors/KMP: Enter the details of all Directors and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), including their DINs, name, address, designation, and changes since the previous financial year.
• Meetings Details (Excel Utility): Details of the Board Meetings, Committee Meetings, and General Meetings (including dates and attendance of directors) are to be provided, often using a downloadable Excel template.
• Remuneration: Provide details of the Remuneration paid to all Directors and KMPs.
• Penalties/Punishments: Disclose any Penalty or Punishment imposed on the company, its directors, or officers, or any instances of Compounding of Offences.

5. Certification and Final Submission

• MGT-8 Integration: For companies requiring a Secretarial Audit (paid-up capital $\ge$ ₹10 Crore or turnover $\ge$ ₹50 Crore), the MGT-8 certification portion is integrated directly into the MGT-7 form. The certifying Practicing Company Secretary (PCS) must select the relevant certifications within the form itself.
  • Advisory: Despite the integration, many professionals still issue the full MGT-8 report on their letterhead with a UDIN and attach it as an optional attachment for due diligence.
• Designated Person: Provide details of the Designated Person responsible for providing information related to Beneficial Ownership.
• Attachments: Mandatory attachments include:
  • List of Shareholders and Debenture Holders (via Excel template upload).
  • Photograph of the Registered Office.
  • Approval letter for extension of AGM (if applicable).
  • Optional Attachments (e.g., MGT-8, Board’s Report extracts, etc.).
• Digital Signature: Affix the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the Director and, where applicable, the Company Secretary/Practicing Company Secretary. The Director affixing the DSC must be the one whose details (including the photograph) are provided.
• Pre-Scrutiny & Payment: Perform Pre-Scrutiny, and upon successful validation, click Submit. The form will be uploaded, and you can proceed to the Fee Payment section.
• SRN Generation: Upon successful payment, a Service Request Number (SRN) will be generated, confirming the filing.

*****

Contact NIRA Associates via mobile +918588900433 or email csniraassociates@gmail.com for getting your MGT-7 filed and any other doubts resolved.