List of Statutory Registers a Private Limited Company Must Maintain
Running a Private Limited Company in India comes with several compliance requirements, including maintaining statutory registers. These registers serve as official records of the company’s activities and must be kept up-to-date as per the Companies Act, 2013.
Failing to maintain these registers can lead to penalties or legal consequences.
In this blog post, we will explain:
- What statutory registers are
- Which registers are mandatory for private limited companies
- Sample format for one of the key registers
- Tips for proper maintenance
What Are Statutory Registers?
Statutory registers are official records that companies are required to maintain as per the Companies Act, 2013. These registers keep track of important information like:
- Members (shareholders)
- Directors
- Loans and investments
- Contracts involving directors
- Charges on assets, etc.
These records are important for legal transparency and are often reviewed during audits, inspections, and regulatory filings.
Below is a list of mandatory statutory registers that every Pvt Ltd company must maintain:
1. Register of Members (Section 88)
This register contains details of all shareholders, including:
- Name, address, and occupation of each member
- Number of shares held
- Date of becoming a member
- Date of cessation (if applicable)
2. Register of Directors & Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) (Section 170)
This register records details of directors and KMPs, such as:
- Name, address, and DIN (Director Identification Number)
- Appointment date and resignation/removal date
- Shares held (if any)
3. Register of Charges (Section 85)
This register maintains records of any charges (loans, mortgages) created on the company’s assets, including:
- Details of the lender
- Amount secured
- Description of the charged asset
- Date of creation/modification
4. Register of Investments (Section 186)
If the company invests in other securities, this register must include:
- Details of the investment
- Name of the entity invested in
- Amount and date of investment
5. Register of Loans, Guarantees, and Securities (Section 186)
Records loans given, guarantees provided, or securities offered by the company, including:
- Name of the borrower
- Amount and terms of the loan/guarantee
- Purpose of the transaction
6. Register of Contracts with Related Parties (Section 189)
Documents transactions with related parties (directors, relatives, or entities where directors have interest), covering:
- Nature of the contract
- Names of related parties
- Terms and approval details
7. Register of Deposits (Section 73)
If the company accepts deposits from the public, this register must include:
- Name and address of depositors
- Amount, interest rate, and tenure
- Repayment details
8. Register of Share Transfers (Section 56)
Records all share transfers, including:
- Transferor and transferee details
- Number of shares transferred
- Date of transfer
9. Register of Sweat Equity Shares (Section 54)
If the company issues sweat equity shares (shares issued for non-monetary benefits), this register must contain:
- Employee/director details
- Number of shares issued
- Valuation report
10. Register of Employee Stock Options (ESOPs) (Section 62)
If ESOPs are granted, this register records:
- Employee details
- Number of options granted
- Vesting period and exercise price
11. Register of Renewed & Duplicate Share Certificates (Rule 6 of Companies (Share Capital & Debentures) Rules, 2014)
Maintains records of duplicate or renewed share certificates issued.
12. Register of Beneficial Ownership (Section 89)
Records individuals who hold beneficial interest in shares (even if shares are held by someone else).
List of Statutory registers to be maintained by a Private limited company
Here is a complete list of statutory registers that a private limited company must maintain:
| S. No. | Name of Register | Relevant Section / Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Register of Members | Section 88, Rule 3 of Companies (Management & Administration) Rules, 2014 |
| 2. | Register of Directors & Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) | Section 170, Rule 17 |
| 3. | Register of Directors’ Shareholding | Section 170 |
| 4. | Register of Charges | Section 85, Rule 10 of Companies (Registration of Charges) Rules |
| 5. | Register of Loans, Guarantees, Securities, and Investments | Section 186, Rule 12 |
| 6. | Register of Contracts or Arrangements in which Directors are Interested (MBP-4) | Section 189, Rule 16 |
| 7. | Register of Related Party Transactions | Section 188 |
| 8. | Register of Renewed and Duplicate Share Certificates | Rule 6 of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules |
| 9. | Register of Employee Stock Options (if applicable) | Rule 12 of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules |
| 10. | Minutes Book of Board & General Meetings | Section 118 |
Where should these registers be kept?
- Ideally, all statutory registers should be maintained at the Registered Office of the company.
- With Board approval, they can also be maintained at any other location within India.
- Digital maintenance is allowed, but with proper timestamping and backup.
What if you don’t maintain these registers?
Failure to maintain statutory registers can result in penalties for the company and its directors, which may include:
- Monetary fines
- Disqualification of directors in serious cases
- Problems during due diligence, funding, or mergers
- Legal repercussions under the Companies Act
Best Practices for Maintaining Statutory Registers
- Keep them updated – Ensure entries are made promptly after any corporate action
- Store securely – Maintain physical or digital copies safely.
- Keep supporting documents (resolutions, share certificates, agreements) attached
- Use pre-numbered pages if maintaining manually
- Use professional software for digital register keeping
- Regular audits – Conduct periodic checks for accuracy
- Comply with MCA guidelines – Follow the latest regulatory updates
- Appoint a Company Secretary or a professional to ensure compliance
Maintaining statutory registers is not just a legal formality — it’s a good governance practice. If you’re running a private limited company, make sure all your registers are up-to-date and in the correct format. It helps during audits, investor due diligence, and regulatory scrutiny.
Need help with statutory compliance or register formats? Contact us to stay legally compliant.