1. Why MCA21 v3 Matters

In 2011, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) launched MCA21—a fully online filing system transforming how Indian companies submit documents, returns and other statutory records. Over the past decade, MCA21 has evolved in two major versions (V1 & V2). Now, to keep pace with technological advances, data security requirements and user experience best practices, the MCA is completing the shift to its third-generation portal, MCA V3.

This isn’t just a portal facelift. V3 introduces:

• Stronger data encryption & bank-grade security protocols
• Improved upload/download speeds via optimized cloud hosting
• Responsive, mobile-friendly user interface with progress-tracking dashboards
• Auto-fill and Excel integration for large data tables
• Photograph and geo-tag fields to reduce manual queries

By July 2025, every statutory e-form you file must be done on the MCA V3 portal. Missing the cut-offs can lead to penalties, rejection of filings, and unnecessary follow-ups.

2. Migration Phases & Key Deadlines

The migration is being executed in phases. Earlier rounds covered charge forms, specialized returns (DPT-3, PAS-3) and certain company-specific filings. This final phase—covering 38 forms—goes live on 14th July 2025.

Action Tip: Clear all pending SRNs on V2 by 18 June and download draft forms from V3 before 9 July to familiarise yourself.

3. Complete List of 38 Migrated e-Forms

The 38 forms in this final wave fall under three broad categories:

3.1 Annual Filing Forms (13)

• AOC-4 – Financial statements & board report
• AOC-4 CFS – Consolidated financial statements
• AOC-4 XBRL – XBRL-tagged statements
• AOC-4 NBFC (Ind AS) – NBFC-specific Ind AS statements
• MGT-7 – Annual return
• MGT-7A – One-person company annual return
• MGT-8 – Compliance certificate
• MGT-9 – Extract of annual return
• MGT-14 – Filing of resolutions & agreements
• MGT-6 – Application for extension of AGM
• MGT-10 – Application for extension of AGM (section 96)
• MGT-7C – Active companies without financial activity
• Form 23AC (merged into AOC-4) – Earlier standalone financials

3.2 Auditor & Cost Auditor Forms (6)

• ADT-1 – Appointment of auditor
• ADT-2 – Resignation/casual vacancy of auditor
• CRA-2 – Appointment of cost auditor
• CRA-4 – Filing of cost audit report
• Form 23B – Earlier auditor appointment (now merged)
• Form 23C – Cost audit application (merged)

3.3 Other Statutory & Miscellaneous Forms (19)

• Form PAS-6 – Investor service request
• Form GNL-2 – Additional documents attachment
• Form GNL-3 – General application
• Form FC-4 – Annual return by foreign co.
• Form MSC-3 – More scrutiny cases
• …and 14 more varied forms covering everything from name change, ROE changes to share transfers and more.

Note: For the exhaustive PDF list of all 38 forms, see the Official Downloads section below.

4. In-Depth: What’s New in V3 e-Forms?

Every new form in MCA V3 isn’t just a cosmetic update. Here are the major enhancements you’ll see across most migrated forms:

• Geo-tagged Office Photograph

  Forms like MGT-7 now require you to upload a photograph of your registered office. The form will automatically capture latitude & longitude metadata, cutting down verification queries.

• Auto-Prefill Last Year’s Data

  Annual financials in AOC-4 & AOC-4 CFS now auto-populate comparative figures. You just verify or update instead of re-typing.

• Single-Point Consolidation

  AOC-4 merges standalone and consolidated statements into one streamlined form—no need for separate filings.

• Excel Attachments for Large Tables

  MGT-7 and MGT-9 accept Excel uploads for shareholder lists, meeting minutes and share transfer registers—ideal for companies with thousands of shareholders.

• Embedded Annexures & Reports

  Forms like AOC-4 now include nested fields for AOC-1, AOC-2, and the auditor’s report, making attachments part of the main form.

• Improved Error-Checking

  Field-level validations, real-time error flags, and helpful tooltips ensure filings are error-free before submission.

5. Step-by-Step Migration Checklist

Follow this checklist to breeze through the transition:

1. Review Pending SRNs

   Log into your MCA V2 dashboard and clear all pending SRNs by completing payment or re-submission before 18 June 2025.

2. Download Draft Forms

   Between 1–8 July, visit the MCA V3 test site to familiarise yourself with form layouts. (No submissions accepted until 14 July.)

3. Backup Previous Filings

   Export PDFs of past AOC-4, MGT-7 etc., to compare auto-filled data later.

4. Schedule Your Filings

   Block calendar time to file high-priority forms (e.g., AOC-4, MGT-7) between 14–20 July and avoid end-of-month rush.

5. Gather Photographs & Documents

   For MGT-7, take a clear exterior photo of your Registered Office with geolocation enabled on your device.

6. Prepare Excel Attachments

   Update your master shareholder register, meeting minutes and auditor reports in Excel templates provided under instructions.

7. Submit & Pay

   After uploading, review form-level summaries and make online payments immediately to generate the SRN.

8. Download Filings

   Save PDFs of submitted forms and SRN confirmations for your records; setup auto-email alerts for filing status.

6. Official Download Links (Must-Have Resources)

Use only these MCA-hosted links to ensure you’re working with the latest, authentic forms and instructions:

• 🔗 Complete PDF of 38 Migrated Forms

  https://www.mca.gov.in/content/dam/mca/pdf/List-of-38-forms.pdf

• 🔗 MCA Company Forms Download Page

  https://www.mca.gov.in/content/mca/global/en/mca/fo-companies-forms.html

Bookmark these pages now and check back frequently—MCA occasionally updates instruction kits or adds clarifications.

7. Common FAQs

Q: Can I file any form on V3 before 14 July?

A: No. All migrated forms become operational only after 00:00 hrs on 14 July 2025.

Q: What if I miss the 18 June cut-off on V2?

A: After 18 June, V2 is locked. You must re-submit filings on V3 after it goes live, which may delay compliance and attract penalties.

Q: Will my digital signatures carry over?

A: Yes. Your registered DSC or e-sign profiles remain linked. Simply select them on V3 when prompted.

Q: Are there new fees?

A: No fee changes. Stamp duty and filing fees remain as per Companies (Fees) Rules, 2014.

Q: Who do I contact for technical glitches?

A: MCA Helpdesk at helpdesk@mca.gov.in or call 0120-4814600.

8. Troubleshooting Tips

• ✔️ Page Won’t Load? Clear browser cache or try Chrome/Edge latest version.
• ✔️ Upload Fails? Check file size limits (max 10 MB per attachment) and allowed formats (PDF/XLS/XLSX/JPG). Rename files to remove special characters.
• ✔️ Form Errors? Use the “Validate” button before submission. The portal flags missing fields in red.
• ✔️ DSC Not Recognized? Ensure your USB token drivers are up-to-date and JAVA is enabled in browser settings.
• ✔️ Payment Declined? Verify net-banking limits or e-wallet balance. Switch gateway if one flag is down.

9. Best Practices for Smooth Filing

1. Plan Ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute. Files get queued, servers slow down.
2. Maintain Master Registers: Keep your Excel templates up to date monthly so annual filings require minimal edits.
3. Use a Dedicated Device: Assign one PC with all DSC drivers installed just for MCA filings—reduces conflict issues.
4. Document Every SRN: Log SRNs in your internal tracker immediately after filing to simplify follow-ups.
5. Leverage Alerts: Opt for SMS/email notifications on SRN status to catch rejects early.
6. Train Your Team: Conduct quarterly workshops on portal changes; most errors happen when staff is unfamiliar.