What statutory registers must a company maintain under the Companies Act?

Question

I have just incorporated a company and want to know which statutory registers I am legally required to keep updated. I have been reading conflicting things online and I would like to understand what Indian law actually says about this, which Act and Section applies, what the realistic timelines and costs are, and what I should be doing right now to protect my position. If the matter can be resolved without litigation I would prefer that route, but I want to know what my rights are before I agree to anything or sign any document.

MyVakeel Legal Desk · Accepted Answer

What statutory registers must a company maintain under the Companies Act? is governed in India primarily by Companies Act 2013, Section 88, Companies Act 2013, Section 189 and Companies Act 2013, Section 170. The short answer is set out below, followed by the practical steps most people in this situation need to take. Read it alongside the specific provisions named, because the exact relief available to you turns on the facts you can prove on paper.

Section 88 requires every company to maintain a register of members, and where applicable a register of debenture holders and other security holders, in the prescribed format.

Section 189 requires maintenance of a register of contracts or arrangements in which directors are interested, to be placed before the board and open for inspection by members.

Section 170 requires a register of directors and key managerial personnel, including their shareholding, to be kept at the registered office and updated with each change.

Other mandatory registers include the register of charges under Section 85 and the register of loans, investments and guarantees under Section 186, each with its own inspection and penalty provisions.

Failure to maintain or update these registers can attract penalties on the company and every officer in default under the respective sections.

What to do next: 1) Set up all statutory registers immediately after incorporation; 2) Update each register promptly whenever a relevant event occurs; 3) Keep registers available for inspection at the registered office as required; 4) Engage a company secretary to audit register compliance periodically.

If the other side has already issued a notice, filed a case or set a deadline, treat the matter as time-sensitive — most remedies under Companies Act 2013, Section 88 carry limitation periods, and a delay you cannot explain weakens an otherwise strong case. You can post the details on the MyVakeel forum for a practising advocate to review, or book a paid consultation with a Bar Council verified lawyer in this practice area.