Unique Documents Identification Number (UDIN) will be a unique number which will be required to be generated for each and every document type being certified or attested by Practicing Chartered Accountant. Registration will be required to be done for the same at UDIN portal from July 1, 2018.
BENEFITS OF UDIN
- It is being taken out to address concern regarding authenticity of documents / certificates that are issued by any other person other than a Chartered Accountant.
- It will provide a Unique identification to Certified Documents
- Tracing of forged documents will be easier
- This initiative will facilitate Government and Third Parties in obtaining authentic documents
- It will secure documents certified by CA(s)
- Accountability and transparency in certification can be ensured
- Will work as a check medium for documents certified by persons not CA’s but acting as such.
Also Read-
UDIN mandatory with effect from 1st January, 2019 for Practising CAs
Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) for Practising CAs
QUESTION / ANSWERS ON UDIN IN BRIEF
Q.1 What is a Unique Document Identification Number?
Ans: Unique Document Identification Number is a unique number i.e generated by system for each document certified or attested by a Chartered Accountant who is registered with UDIN portal (www.udin.icai.org).
Q.2 What is the Structure of UDIN?
Ans: It will be a number comprising of first 6 digits being membership number allotted by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, next 6 digits being date when certificate is issued and last 3 digits being document serial number automatically generated by system.
Q.3 Who can generate UDIN?
Ans: Any Practicing Chartered Accountant can generate a UDIN for certificate or document attested by him/her in individual capacity or as a partner.
Q.4 What is the status of UDIN facility?
Ans: This facility is recommendatory at present. ICAI can also make it compulsory in future.
Q.5 Which is the site to check if the certificate number indicated is valid?
Ans: The Certificate Number can be checked on this web link: https://udin.icai.org?mode=searchudin
Q.6 Any limit on number of UDIN which can be generated by a CA?
Ans: No such limit.
Q.7 What is the methodology for obtaining Registration on UDIN Portal?
Ans: For Registration we should take the following steps are to be taken:
1. Visit homepage at – https://udin.icai.org
2. Click the icon – For first time sign up, Click here
3. Enter the six-digit Membership Number with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Date of Birth and Date of Enrolment, and lastly click on “Send OTP”. An OTP will be sent to you at the mobile and email, as registered with ICAI.
4. Enter the OTP received and click on “Continue”. A system generated password and username will be sent on the registered mobile and email with ICAI.
Q.8 How to Sign In to your UDIN Account?
Ans: Go to the link – https://udin.icai.org/?mode=login and Enter your Membership Number and Password. Click “Login”.
Q.9 Password change post login is safe or not?
Ans: The password generated is encrypted to ensure safety. Members can change the password any time. “Change Password” is the icon in menu i.e used to change the password.
Q.10 How to generate a Unique Document Identification Number?
Ans: Login to UDIN Account. Click on “Generate UDIN”. Enter details like Client Reference Code/Number, Document Issued, Document Description, Date of Document, Keywords or Values (Minimum Three in number) in the document and click on the button “Send OTP”. Firm Registration Number is Optional to be entered. An OTP shall be sent to mobile and email, i.e registered with ICAI. Enter the OTP received and click on the button “Preview”. Details you enter for generating the UDIN can be seen. Any change in content can be made by clicking “Back” button or click “Submit” if final. A UDIN will be generated and CA can use that UDIN on the document for which it has been generated .UDIN that is generated will be displayed as a watermark on document(s) else the UDIN can be mentioned on the document(s) using ink. “List UDIN” menu is to be used to print UDIN.
Q.11 Can one look at the various certificate numbers generated?
Ans: Yes, this can be done using the search option.
Q.12 Is modification possible in case incorrect information has been submitted?
Ans: No change is possible once data is registered by a Chartered Accountant in the online system. Preview of data entered is therefore advised before submission.
Q.13 Can a Certificate number once generated be revoked or get cancelled?
Ans: UDIN once generated can be withdrawn or cancelled with narration as explanation for such act. If any user shall search for a cancelled/withdrawn UDIN, appropriate narration given by Member along with date of revocation shall be displayed.
Q.14 Is there any validity of a UDIN for viewing by a third party or public?
Ans: There is no time limit as of now.
Q.15 Is UDIN compulsorily required to be registered for search?
Ans: Yes, UDIN shall be available for search by end user only after registration.
Q.16 What if on registration on UDIN Portal, the information does not get accepted or password does not get sent?
Ans: If the credentials do not match with the database as maintained by the regional offices of ICAI, there may be a mismatch.
Q.17 Is online generation of UDIN mandatory? Can UDIN be generated offline and be entered in back date?
Ans: It is mandatory that numbers be generated in online mode only.
Q.18 Can UDIN be generated for a category of the area of certificate?
Ans: UDIN can be generated in specific area(s) of certificate issuance like GST, Banking, Companies Act, Income-tax Act, Finance, Capital Market, Public Finance and Government Accounting.
For further queries, you may contact author at cabhagyashreejain@gmail.com or +91-98-108-97001.
Author Bio
Very good article….Much appreciated….