COMPANIES ACT MASTER SERIES · CHAPTER 13
RM12 - Managerial Personnel, Remuneration and Secretarial Audit
A complete governance guide to managerial appointments, section 198 profit, remuneration limits, Schedule V, KMP, secretarial audit and company-secretary functions.
Sections196-205
Rules12 working entries
ScheduleFull Schedule V
Reviewed26 June 2026
Core control: title, appointment, remuneration, profit computation, approvals, filing and public disclosure must tell one consistent story.
Rules Master scope
Managerial Personnel, Remuneration and Secretarial Audit
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014; Schedule V; secretarial-audit framework.
Source control: Apply the enacted Act, current Rules, Gazette amendments and live form or authority procedure on the action date. Bill proposals and expired relaxations are not operative merely because they appear in commentary.
Current snapshot
5 years
Maximum MD/WTD/manager term at one time.
60 days
MR-1 appointment return.
6 months
Whole-time KMP vacancy deadline.
Rs 100 cr
Bank/PFI borrowing trigger for secretarial audit.
Chapter architecture
Five linked governance layers
1. Appoint
Eligibility, office, term, age, Schedule V and corporate approvals.
2. Calculate
Section 198 profit and section 197 / Schedule V ceilings.
3. Approve
NRC, Board, members, creditors and residual Government route.
4. Operate
KMP authority, vacancies, disclosures and performance controls.
5. Assure
Secretarial audit, standards, Board response and remediation.
Frequent error: using accounting PAT, employment contracts or payroll approval as a substitute for the statutory appointment and remuneration process.
Navigation
Sections 196-205
Threshold dashboard
Numbers that drive Chapter XIII
| Control | Current threshold / deadline | Legal link |
|---|
| MD/WTD/manager term | Maximum 5 years; reappointment no earlier than 1 year before expiry | Section 196 |
| Age | 21 to below 70; special resolution / residual CG route above 70 | Section 196 |
| Overall public-company remuneration | 11% of section 198 net profit | Section 197 |
| Sitting fee | Maximum Rs 1 lakh per Board/committee meeting | Rule 4 |
| MR-1 | Within 60 days of appointment | Section 196 / Rule 3 |
| Rule 8 public-company KMP | Paid-up capital Rs 10 crore or more | Rule 8 |
| Rule 8A private-company CS | Paid-up capital Rs 10 crore or more | Rule 8A |
| Secretarial audit public capital | Rs 50 crore or more | Rule 9 |
| Secretarial audit public turnover | Rs 250 crore or more | Rule 9 |
| Secretarial audit any-company borrowing | Rs 100 crore or more | Rule 9 |
| KMP vacancy | Fill within 6 months | Section 203 |
Appointment workflow
MD / WTD / manager - end-to-end process
1. Classify office
MD, WTD or manager
→
2. Eligibility
Section 196 + Schedule V Part I
→
3. Pay analysis
197/198 or Schedule V
→
4. Approvals
NRC, Board, members, creditors/CG
→
5. Close
MR-1, DIR-12, MGT-14, contract
Eligibility file
- Age and term
- Insolvency and conviction search
- Multiple-company position
- Residency / employment visa where relevant
- Part I Schedule V declaration
- Interest and related-party analysis
Approval file
- NRC recommendation
- Section 198 / effective capital calculation
- Creditor no-default or approval evidence
- Board and member notice
- Resolution and appointment contract
- MCA challans and disclosures
Section 196
Appointment of managing director, whole-time director or manager
Build the appointment through a Board-meeting decision, member approval, Schedule V eligibility and timely filing.
Operative statutory text
196. Appointment of managing director, whole-time director or manager.—(1) No company shall
appoint or employ at the same time a managing director and a manager.
(2) No company shall appoint or re-appoint any person as its managing director, whole-time director
or manager for a term exceeding five years at a time:
Provided that no re-appointment shall be made earlier than one year before the expiry of his term.
(3) No company shall appoint or continue the employment of any person as managing director, whole-
time director or manager who —
(a) is below the age of twenty-one years or has attained the age of seventy years:
Provided that appointment of a person who has attained the age of seventy years may be made by
passing a special resolution in which case the explanatory statement annexed to the notice for such
motion shall indicate the justification for appointing such person;
[Provided further that where no such special resolution is passed but votes cast in favour of the
motion exceed the votes, if any, cast against the motion and the Central Government is satisfied, on an
application made by the Board, that such appointment is most beneficial to the company, the
appointment of the person who has attained the age of seventy years may be made.]”;
(b) is an undischarged insolvent or has at any time been adjudged as an insolvent;
(c) has at any time suspended payment to his creditors or makes, or has at any time made, a
composition with them; or
(d) has at any time been convicted by a court of an offence and sentenced for a period of more than
six months.
(4) Subject to the provisions of section 197 and Schedule V, a managing director, whole-time director
or manager shall be appointed and the terms and conditions of such appointment and remuneration payable
be approved by the Board of Directors at a meeting which shall be subject to approval by a resolution at the
next general meeting of the company and by the Central Government in case such appointment is at variance
to the conditions [specified in Part I of that Schedule]:
Provided that a notice convening Board or general meeting for considering such appointment shall
include the terms and conditions of such appointment, remuneration payable and such other matters
including interest, of a director or directors in such appointments, if any:
Provided further that a return in the prescribed form shall be filed within sixty days of such appointment
with the Registrar.
(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, where an appointment of a managing director, whole-time
director or manager is not approved by the company at a general meeting, any act done by him before such
approval shall not be deemed to be invalid.
Decoded controls
- A company cannot have a managing director and a manager at the same time.
- Term cannot exceed five years at a time; reappointment cannot be made earlier than one year before expiry.
- Age is ordinarily 21 to below 70. A person aged 70 or more may be appointed by special resolution with justification; the statutory Central Government route remains available where the special resolution fails but votes in favour exceed votes against and the appointment is most beneficial.
- Insolvency, composition with creditors and conviction with sentence exceeding six months are disqualifying conditions.
- The Board approves at a meeting; members approve at the next general meeting; Central Government approval is relevant where appointment varies from Part I of Schedule V.
- MR-1 is filed within 60 days with prescribed supporting documents.
Simple decode: Do not treat the employment contract as the appointment authority. The Board resolution, member resolution, Schedule V check, interest disclosure and MR-1 must reconcile.
Practical example: A 72-year-old proposed MD may be appointed through a properly justified special resolution. An ordinary resolution alone is insufficient unless the separate Central Government route is successfully completed.
Section 197
Overall maximum managerial remuneration and remuneration in no/inadequate profits
Separate the percentage ceilings for profitable public companies from the Schedule V framework for no or inadequate profits.
Operative statutory text
197. Overall maximum managerial remuneration and managerial remuneration in case of
absence or inadequacy of profits.—(1) The total managerial remuneration payable by a public company,
to its directors, including managing director and whole-time director, and its manager in respect of any
financial year shall not exceed eleven per cent. of the net profits of that company for that financial year
computed in the manner laid down in section 198 except that the remuneration of the directors shall not be
deducted from the gross profits:
Provided that the company in general meeting may, 3*** authorise the payment of remuneration
exceeding eleven per cent. of the net profits of the company, subject to the provisions of Schedule V:
Provided further that, except with the approval of the company in general meeting, [by a special
resolution,]—
(i) the remuneration payable to any one managing director; or whole-time director or manager shall
not exceed five per cent. of the net profits of the company and if there is more than one such director
remuneration shall not exceed ten per cent. of the net profits to all such directors and manager taken
together;
(2) The percentages aforesaid shall be exclusive of any fees payable to directors under sub-section (5).
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), but subject to the provisions of
Schedule V, if, in any financial year, a company has no profits or its profits are inadequate, the company
shall not pay to its directors, including any managing or whole-time director or manager, [or any other
non-executive director, including an independent director] by way of remuneration any sum exclusive of
any fees payable to directors under sub-section (5) hereunder except in accordance with the provisions of
Schedule V 3***.
(4) The remuneration payable to the directors of a company, including any managing or whole-time
director or manager, shall be determined, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section,
either by the articles of the company, or by a resolution or, if the articles so require, by a special resolution,
passed by the company in general meeting and the remuneration payable to a director determined aforesaid
shall be inclusive of the remuneration payable to him for the services rendered by him in any other capacity:
Provided that any remuneration for services rendered by any such director in other capacity shall not
be so included if—
(a) the services rendered are of a professional nature; and
(b) in the opinion of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, if the company is covered
under sub-section (1) of section 178, or the Board of Directors in other cases, the director possesses the
requisite qualification for the practice of the profession.
(5) A director may receive remuneration by way of fee for attending meetings of the Board or
Committee thereof or for any other purpose whatsoever as may be decided by the Board:
Provided that the amount of such fees shall not exceed the amount as may be prescribed:
Provided further that different fees for different classes of companies and fees in respect of independent
director may be such as may be prescribed.
(6) A director or manager may be paid remuneration either by way of a monthly payment or at a
specified percentage of the net profits of the company or partly by one way and partly by the other.
* * * * * *
(8) The net profits for the purposes of this section shall be computed in the manner referred to in section
198.
[(9) If any director draws or receives, directly or indirectly, by way of remuneration any such sums in
excess of the limit prescribed by this section or without approval required under this section, he shall refund
such sums to the company, within two years or such lesser period as may be allowed by the company, and
until such sum is refunded, hold it in trust for the company.]
(10) The company shall not waive the recovery of any sum refundable to it under sub-section (9) unless
[approved by the company by special resolution within two years from the date the sum becomes
refundable].
[Provided that where the company has defaulted in payment of dues to any bank or public financial
institution or non-convertible debenture holders or any other secured creditor, the prior approval of the bank
or public financial institution concerned or the non-convertible debenture holders or other secured creditor,
as the case may be, shall be obtained by the company before obtaining approval of such waiver.]
(11) In cases where Schedule V is applicable on grounds of no profits or inadequate profits, any
provision relating to the remuneration of any director which purports to increase or has the effect of
increasing the amount thereof, whether the provision be contained in the company’s memorandum or
articles, or in an agreement entered into by it, or in any resolution passed by the company in general meeting
or its Board, shall not have any effect unless such increase is in accordance with the conditions specified in
that Schedule 3***.
(12) Every listed company shall disclose in the Board’s report, the ratio of the remuneration of each
director to the median employee’s remuneration and such other details as may be prescribed.
(13) Where any insurance is taken by a company on behalf of its managing director, whole-time
director, manager, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Company Secretary for indemnifying
any of them against any liability in respect of any negligence, default, misfeasance, breach of duty or breach
of trust for which they may be guilty in relation to the company, the premium paid on such insurance shall
not be treated as part of the remuneration payable to any such personnel:
Provided that if such person is proved to be guilty, the premium paid on such insurance shall be treated
as part of the remuneration.
(14) Subject to the provisions of this section, any director who is in receipt of any commission from the
company and who is a managing or whole-time director of the company shall not be disqualified from
receiving any remuneration or commission from any holding company or subsidiary company of such
company subject to its disclosure by the company in the Board’s report.
[(15) If any person makes any default in complying with the provisions of this section, he shall be
liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees and where any default has been made by a company, the company
shall be liable to a penalty of five lakh rupees.]
[(16) The auditor of the company shall, in his report under section 143, make a statement as to whether
the remuneration paid by the company to its directors is in accordance with the provisions of this section,
whether remuneration paid to any director is in excess of the limit laid down under this section and give
such other details as may be prescribed.
(17) On and from the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017, any application made
to the Central Government under the provisions of this section [as it stood before such commencement],
which is pending with that Government shall abate, and the company shall, within one year of such
commencement, obtain the approval in accordance with the provisions of this section, as so amended.]
Decoded controls
- Overall public-company ceiling is 11% of section 198 net profit, subject to member approval and Schedule V.
- Without special resolution, one MD/WTD/manager is capped at 5%; all such managerial persons together at 10%.
- Non-executive directors are capped at 1% where there is an MD/WTD/manager and 3% in any other case, unless special resolution approval is obtained.
- Where secured-creditor dues are in default, prior creditor approval is required before the general meeting approval specified by the section.
- No-profit or inadequate-profit remuneration, including for non-executive and independent directors, follows Schedule V.
- Sitting fees are outside percentage limits but remain subject to Rule 4.
- Excess remuneration must be refunded within two years or the shorter company-approved period; waiver needs special resolution and creditor consent where applicable.
- Listed companies make prescribed remuneration disclosures; the auditor reports on section 197 compliance.
Simple decode: The accounting profit or PAT is not the section 198 profit. Prepare a separate statutory computation and an approval matrix before any payment.
Practical example: A public company with one MD and adequate profits proposes remuneration equal to 6% of section 198 profit. A special resolution is needed even if total Board remuneration remains below 11%.
Section 197(10) - waiver of excess remuneration recovery: A sum refundable under section 197(9) cannot be waived unless approved by special resolution within two years from the date the sum became refundable. If the company has defaulted in dues to a bank, public financial institution, non-convertible debenture holders or another secured creditor, that creditor's prior approval must be obtained before shareholder approval. Central Government approval is not the current waiver route.
Practical example: Excess remuneration becomes refundable on 1 July 2026. Any waiver must be approved by special resolution by 30 June 2028. If secured lender dues are in default, lender approval must precede the shareholder vote.
Section 198
Calculation of profits
Compute the special statutory profit base used for managerial remuneration.
Operative statutory text
198. Calculation of profits.—(1) In computing the net profits of a company in any financial year for
the purpose of section 197,—
(a) credit shall be given for the sums specified in sub-section (2), and credit shall not be given for
those specified in sub-section (3); and
(b) the sums specified in sub-section (4) shall be deducted, and those specified in sub-section (5)
shall not be deducted.
(2) In making the computation aforesaid, credit shall be given for the bounties and subsidies received
from any Government, or any public authority constituted or authorised in this behalf, by any Government,
unless and except in so far as the Central Government otherwise directs.
(3) In making the computation aforesaid, credit shall not be given for the following sums, namely:—
(a) profits, by way of premium on shares or debentures of the company, which are issued or sold
by the company [unless the company is an investment company as referred to in clause (a) of the
Explanation to section 186];
(b) profits on sales by the company of forfeited shares;
(c) profits of a capital nature including profits from the sale of the undertaking or any of the
undertakings of the company or of any part thereof;
(d) profits from the sale of any immovable property or fixed assets of a capital nature comprised in
the undertaking or any of the undertakings of the company, unless the business of the company consists,
whether wholly or partly, of buying and selling any such property or assets:
Provided that where the amount for which any fixed asset is sold exceeds the written-down value
thereof, credit shall be given for so much of the excess as is not higher than the difference between the
original cost of that fixed asset and its written-down value;
(e) any change in carrying amount of an asset or of a liability recognised inequity reserves including
surplus in profit and loss account on measurement of the asset or the liability at fair value.
[(f) any amount representing unrealised gains, notional gains or revaluation of assets.]
(4) In making the computation aforesaid, the following sums shall be deducted, namely:—
(a) all the usual working charges;
(b) directors’ remuneration;
(c) bonus or commission paid or payable to any member of the company’s staff, or to any engineer,
technician or person employed or engaged by the company, whether on a whole-time or on a part-time
basis;
(d) any tax notified by the Central Government as being in the nature of a tax on excess or abnormal
profits;
(e) any tax on business profits imposed for special reasons or in special circumstances and notified
by the Central Government in this behalf;
(f) interest on debentures issued by the company;
(g) interest on mortgages executed by the company and on loans and advances secured by a charge
on its fixed or floating assets;
(h) interest on unsecured loans and advances;
(i) expenses on repairs, whether to immovable or to movable property, provided the repairs are not
of a capital nature;
(j) outgoings inclusive of contributions made under section 181;
(k) depreciation to the extent specified in section 123;
(l) the excess of expenditure over income, which had arisen in computing the net profits in
accordance with this section in any year 3***, in so far as such excess has not been deducted in any
subsequent year preceding the year in respect of which the net profits have to be ascertained;
(m) any compensation or damages to be paid in virtue of any legal liability including a liability
arising from a breach of contract;
(n) any sum paid by way of insurance against the risk of meeting any liability such as is referred to
in clause (m);
(o) debts considered bad and written off or adjusted during the year of account.
(5) In making the computation aforesaid, the following sums shall not be deducted, namely:—
(a) income-tax and super-tax payable by the company under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43
of 1961), or any other tax on the income of the company not falling under clauses (d) and (e) of sub-
section (4);
Decoded controls
- Government bounties and subsidies are generally credited unless directed otherwise.
- Share-premium profits, forfeited-share profits, capital profits, most fixed-asset sale profits, fair-value changes, unrealised gains and revaluation gains are excluded, subject to stated exceptions.
- Usual working charges, remuneration, employee bonus/commission, interest, repairs, section 181 contributions, depreciation, carried statutory deficits, legal compensation, insurance and bad debts are deducted.
- Income tax, voluntary compensation, capital losses and specified fair-value changes are not deducted.
Simple decode: Start from the ledger, but rebuild the result using the section 198 inclusion/exclusion schedule. Preserve every adjustment and source document.
Practical example: A gain from revaluation of land cannot be used to enlarge the section 197 remuneration pool merely because it appears in accounting profit.
Section 199
Recovery of remuneration after restatement
Claw back excess remuneration caused by fraud or Companies Act non-compliance.
Operative statutory text
199. Recovery of remuneration in certain cases.—Without prejudice to any liability incurred under
the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force, where a company is required to
re-state its financial statements due to fraud or non-compliance with any requirement under this Act and
the rules made thereunder, the company shall recover from any past or present managing director or
whole-time director or manager or Chief Executive Officer (by whatever name called) who, during the
period for which the financial statements are required to be re-stated, received the remuneration
(including stock option) in excess of what would have been payable to him as per restatement of financial
statements.
Decoded controls
- Where financial statements are restated due to fraud or non-compliance, the company recovers excess remuneration from past or present MD, WTD, manager or CEO.
- The recovery includes excess stock-option value received for the restated period.
- The remedy is additional to other civil, criminal, employment and fiduciary consequences.
Simple decode: Create a restatement impact analysis linking corrected profit, revised performance metrics, incentive plans and the responsible executives.
Practical example: If a revenue fraud inflated EBITDA-linked CEO remuneration, the company must recalculate what would have been payable under the restated statements and recover the excess.
Section 200
Factors for fixing remuneration
Require a reasoned and proportionate remuneration decision.
Operative statutory text
200. Central Government or company to fix limit with regard to remuneration.—Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Chapter, 1*** a company may, while according its approval under section 196,
to any appointment or to any remuneration under section 197 in respect of cases where the company has
inadequate or no profits, fix the remuneration within the limits specified in this Act, at such amount or
percentage of profits of the company, as it may deem fit and while fixing the remuneration, 1*** the
company shall have regard to—
(a) the financial position of the company;
(b) the remuneration or commission drawn by the individual concerned in any other capacity;
(c) the remuneration or commission drawn by him from any other company;
(d) professional qualifications and experience of the individual concerned;
(e) such other matters as may be prescribed.
Decoded controls
- Consider the company’s financial position.
- Consider remuneration or commission received by the individual in other capacities and companies.
- Consider qualifications, experience and prescribed factors.
- Use NRC/Board evidence to show the package is commercially justified and within the Act and Schedule V.
Simple decode: Minutes should show the factors actually considered, not merely state that section 200 was complied with.
Practical example: A loss-making company should document why a proposed package is needed to retain a turnaround professional and how it compares with industry and the company’s cash position.
Section 201
Applications to Central Government
Control the residual Central Government application route under section 196.
Operative statutory text
201. Forms of, and procedure in relation to, certain applications.—(1) Every application made to
the Central Government under [section 196] shall be in such form as may be prescribed.
(2) (a) Before any application is made by a company to the Central Government under [section 196],
there shall be issued by or on behalf of the company a general notice to the members thereof, indicating the
nature of the application proposed to be made.
(b) Such notice shall be published at least once in a newspaper in the principal language of the district
in which the registered office of the company is situate and circulating in that district, and at least once in
English in an English newspaper circulating in that district.
(c) The copies of the notices, together with a certificate by the company as to the due publication
thereof, shall be attached to the application.
Decoded controls
- Use the prescribed application form and fee framework.
- Issue a general notice to members describing the proposed application.
- Publish once in the principal-language newspaper of the district and once in an English newspaper circulating in the district.
- Attach publication copies and the company certificate to the application.
Simple decode: The application is not a substitute for Board diligence, member disclosures or Schedule V analysis.
Practical example: Where an over-70 appointment does not receive the required special resolution but votes in favour exceed votes against, the Board may evaluate the statutory application route with complete newspaper and member notice evidence.
Section 202
Compensation for loss of office
Limit exit compensation to eligible managerial offices, clean conduct and a statutory cap.
Operative statutory text
202. Compensation for loss of office of managing or whole-time director or manager.—(1) A
company may make payment to a managing or whole-time director or manager, but not to any other
director, by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for retirement from office or in
connection with such loss or retirement.
(2) No payment shall be made under sub-section (1) in the following cases, namely:—
(a) where the director resigns from his office as a result of the reconstruction of the company, or of
its amalgamation with any other body corporate or bodies corporate, and is appointed as the managing
or whole-time director, manager or other officer of the reconstructed company or of the body corporate
resulting from the amalgamation;
(b) where the director resigns from his office otherwise than on the reconstruction of the company
or its amalgamation as aforesaid;
(c) where the office of the director is vacated under sub-section (1) of section 167;
(d) where the company is being wound up, whether by an order of the Tribunal or voluntarily,
provided the winding up was due to the negligence or default of the director;
(3) Any payment made to a managing or whole-time director or manager in pursuance of sub-section
(1) shall not exceed the remuneration which he would have earned if he had been in office for the remainder
of his term or for three years, whichever is shorter, calculated on the basis of the average remuneration
actually earned by him during a period of three years immediately preceding the date on which he ceased
to hold office, or where he held the office for a lesser period than three years, during such period:
Provided that no such payment shall be made to the director in the event of the commencement of the
winding up of the company, whether before or at any time within twelve months after, the date on which
he ceased to hold office, if the assets of the company on the winding up, after deducting the expenses
thereof, are not sufficient to repay to the shareholders the share capital, including the premiums, if any,
contributed by them.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the payment to a managing or whole-time
director, or manager, of any remuneration for services rendered by him to the company in any other
capacity.
Decoded controls
- Payment is permitted only to an MD, WTD or manager, not to every director.
- No compensation is payable for ordinary resignation, vacation under section 167, specified winding-up circumstances, fraud, breach of trust, gross negligence/mismanagement or self-instigated termination.
- The cap is the lower of remuneration for the unexpired term or three years, based on average remuneration earned during the preceding three years or shorter service period.
- No payment is made where winding-up assets are insufficient to return shareholder capital and premium under the stated test.
Simple decode: Test eligibility, conduct exclusions, insolvency/winding-up position, contractual rights and the statutory cap independently.
Practical example: A WTD with four years left cannot receive four years’ compensation. The maximum statutory period is three years and may be lower after applying the average-remuneration formula.
Section 203
Appointment of key managerial personnel
Create a complete whole-time leadership and compliance structure for prescribed companies.
Operative statutory text
203. Appointment of key managerial personnel.—(1) Every company belonging to such class or
classes of companies as may be prescribed shall have the following whole-time key managerial
personnel,—
(i) managing director, or Chief Executive Officer or manager and in their absence, a whole-time
director;
(ii) company secretary; and
(iii) Chief Financial Officer:
Provided that an individual shall not be appointed or reappointed as the chairperson of the company,
in pursuance of the articles of the company, as well as the managing director or Chief Executive Officer
of the company at the same time after the date of commencement of this Act unless,—
(a) the articles of such a company provide otherwise; or
(b) the company does not carry multiple businesses:
Provided further that nothing contained in the first proviso shall apply to such class of
companies engaged in multiple businesses and which has appointed one or more Chief Executive
Officers for each such business as may be notified by the Central Government.
(2) Every whole-time key managerial personnel of a company shall be appointed by means of a
resolution of the Board containing the terms and conditions of the appointment including the remuneration.
(3) A whole-time key managerial personnel shall not hold office in more than one company except in
its subsidiary company at the same time:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall disentitle a key managerial personnel from
being a director of any company with the permission of the Board:
Provided further that whole-time key managerial personnel holding office in more than one company
at the same time on the date of commencement of this Act, shall, within a period of six months from such
commencement, choose one company, in which he wishes to continue to hold the office of key managerial
personnel:
Provided also that a company may appoint or employ a person as its managing director, if he is the
managing director or manager of one, and of not more than one, other company and such appointment or
employment is made or approved by a resolution passed at a meeting of the Board with the consent of all
the directors present at the meeting and of which meeting, and of the resolution to be moved thereat, specific
notice has been given to all the directors then in India.
(4) If the office of any whole-time key managerial personnel is vacated, the resulting vacancy shall be
filled-up by the Board at a meeting of the Board within a period of six months from the date of such vacancy.
[(5) If any company makes any default in complying with the provisions of this section, such company
shall be liable to a penalty of five lakh rupees and every director and key managerial personnel of the
company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees and where the default is a
continuing one, with a further penalty of one thousand rupees for each day after the first during which such
default continues but not exceeding five lakh rupees.]
Decoded controls
- Prescribed companies appoint whole-time MD/CEO/manager and, in their absence, WTD; company secretary; and CFO.
- Appointment is by Board resolution at a meeting stating terms and remuneration.
- Whole-time KMP generally cannot hold office in more than one company, except its subsidiary; Board permission can allow a KMP to be a director elsewhere.
- An MD may serve one other company only through the special unanimous Board-meeting route with specific notice.
- A vacancy is filled by the Board at a meeting within six months.
- Chairperson and MD/CEO combination is restricted subject to the articles and business-structure exceptions.
Simple decode: Use role-specific appointment letters, authority matrices, succession plans and statutory register/filing reconciliation. A functional title alone does not prove statutory appointment.
Practical example: A private company with paid-up capital of Rs 12 crore needs a whole-time company secretary under Rule 8A even though the full Rule 8 KMP suite is directed to listed and prescribed public companies.
Section 204
Secretarial audit for bigger companies
Obtain independent assurance over corporate-law and governance compliance.
Operative statutory text
204. Secretarial audit for bigger companies.—(1) Every listed company and a company belonging
to other class of companies as may be prescribed shall annex with its Board’s report made in terms of sub-
section (3) of section 134, a secretarial audit report, given by a company secretary in practice, in such form
as may be prescribed.
(2) It shall be the duty of the company to give all assistance and facilities to the company secretary in
practice, for auditing the secretarial and related records of the company.
(3) The Board of Directors, in their report made in terms of sub-section (3) of section 134, shall explain
in full any qualification or observation or other remarks made by the company secretary in practice in his
report under sub-section (1).
(4) If a company or any officer of the company or the company secretary in practice, contravenes the
provisions of this section, the company, every officer of the company or the company secretary in practice,
who is in default, shall be [liable to a penalty of two lakh rupees].
Decoded controls
- Every listed company and prescribed classes under Rule 9 annex MR-3 to the Board’s report.
- The audit is conducted by a company secretary in practice under current law.
- The company must provide full assistance and facilities.
- The Board must explain every qualification, observation or remark in full.
- Contravention currently attracts a penalty of Rs 2 lakh for the company, defaulting officer and PCS, as applicable.
Simple decode: A generic “noted” response is inadequate. Each qualification should have root cause, legal position, corrective action, owner and deadline.
Practical example: A private company with bank/PFI borrowings of Rs 120 crore can fall within Rule 9 even though it is unlisted and has modest paid-up capital.
Section 205
Functions of company secretary
Position the company secretary as the Board’s statutory compliance and governance officer.
Operative statutory text
205. Functions of company secretary.—(1) The functions of the company secretary shall include,—
(a) to report to the Board about compliance with the provisions of this Act, the rules made
thereunder and other laws applicable to the company;
(b) to ensure that the company complies with the applicable secretarial standards;
(c) to discharge such other duties as may be prescribed.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, the expression “secretarial standards” means
secretarial standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India constituted under section 3 of
the Company Secretaries Act, 1980 (56 of 1980) and approved by the Central Government.
(2) The provisions contained in section 204 and section 205 shall not affect the duties and functions of
the Board of Directors, chairperson of the company, managing director or whole-time director under this
Act, or any other law for the time being in force.
CHAPTER XIV
Decoded controls
- Report to the Board on compliance with the Act, Rules and other applicable laws.
- Ensure compliance with applicable secretarial standards.
- Perform the additional Rule 10 duties, including guidance, meeting facilitation, approvals, representation and governance assistance.
- The role does not displace the duties of the Board, chairperson, MD or WTD.
Simple decode: The company secretary supports and challenges the governance process; the Board remains accountable for decisions and compliance.
Practical example: Where the Board ignores repeated compliance warnings, the existence of a company secretary does not transfer the directors’ statutory responsibility to that officer.
Managerial Personnel Rules
Current rule-by-rule working register
India Code lists the base Rules dated 31 March 2014 and the latest identified amendment dated 19 January 2023.
| Rule / cluster | Subject | Practical operating effect |
|---|
| Rule 1 | Short title and commencement | The Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 form the principal procedural framework for Chapter XIII. |
| Rule 2 | Definitions | Expressions take their meaning from the Act and the connected definition rules. |
| Rule 3 | Return of appointment | MR-1 is filed within 60 days of appointment of an MD, WTD or manager with prescribed resolutions, contract/appointment terms and certification. |
| Rule 4 | Sitting fees | Board may fix sitting fee up to Rs 1 lakh per Board or committee meeting. Sitting fee for independent and women directors cannot be lower than that payable to other directors. |
| Rule 5 | Board-report remuneration disclosures | Prescribes director/KMP remuneration ratios and changes, median-employee data, workforce comparisons, policy affirmation and the employee-remuneration statement, including current Rs 1.02 crore annual and Rs 8.5 lakh monthly disclosure thresholds. |
| Rule 6 | Central Government applications | Prescribes the application and documentary framework, including MR-2, for the residual section 196 approval route. |
| Rule 7 | Application fees | Links Chapter XIII applications to the prescribed fee framework and current MCA filing mechanism. |
| Rule 8 | Whole-time KMP classes | Every listed company and every other public company with paid-up share capital of Rs 10 crore or more appoints the whole-time KMP specified in section 203. |
| Rule 8A | Whole-time company secretary in private companies | Every private company with paid-up share capital of Rs 10 crore or more must have a whole-time company secretary. |
| Rule 9 | Secretarial audit classes and MR-3 | Covers every listed company; every public company with paid-up capital at least Rs 50 crore or turnover at least Rs 250 crore; and every company with outstanding bank/PFI loans or borrowings of Rs 100 crore or more. The test uses the prescribed latest-audited basis. |
| Rule 10 | Duties of company secretary | Includes guidance to directors, facilitation of meetings, obtaining approvals, representation before authorities, assistance to the Board and governance advice, in addition to section 205 functions. |
| 2023 amendment control | Electronic forms and filing framework | India Code identifies 19 January 2023 as the latest listed amendment to these Rules. Use the current MCA form and instruction kit on the filing date. |
Portal control: form structure, attachments, linked filings and instruction kits should be checked on the actual filing date.
Schedule V decision map
No-profit or inadequate-profit remuneration
| Effective capital | Managerial person - annual limit | Other director - annual limit |
|---|
| Negative or less than Rs 5 crore | Rs 60 lakh | Rs 12 lakh |
| Rs 5 crore to below Rs 100 crore | Rs 84 lakh | Rs 17 lakh |
| Rs 100 crore to below Rs 250 crore | Rs 120 lakh | Rs 24 lakh |
| Rs 250 crore and above | Rs 120 lakh + 0.01% above Rs 250 crore | Rs 24 lakh + 0.01% above Rs 250 crore |
Core conditions
- Board approval and NRC approval where applicable
- No secured-creditor default, or prior creditor approval
- Ordinary/special member resolution as applicable
- Approval period not exceeding three years
- Prescribed notice disclosures and Board-report disclosures
- Auditor/CS certification in the section 196 return
Effective capital
Paid-up capital + securities premium + reserves/surplus + qualifying long-term loans/deposits, less specified investments, accumulated losses and unamortised preliminary expenses. Revaluation reserve and short-term working-capital arrangements are excluded as prescribed.
Above-table pay: a special resolution can permit remuneration above the table, but the other Schedule V conditions still apply.
Full Schedule V
Consolidated operative reading text
SCHEDULE V
(See sections 196 and 197)
PART I
CONDITIONS TO BE FULFILLED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A MANAGING OR
WHOLE-TIME DIRECTOR OR A MANAGER WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE CENTRAL
GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS
No person shall be eligible for appointment as a managing or whole-time director or a manager
(hereinafter referred to as managerial person) of a company unless he satisfies the following conditions,
namely:—
(a) he had not been sentenced to imprisonment for any period, or to a fine exceeding one thousand
rupees, for the conviction of an offence under any of the following Acts, namely:—
(i) the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (2 of 1899);
(ii) the Central Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944);
(iii) the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 (65 of 1951);
(iv) the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (37 of 1954);
(v) the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955);
[(vi) the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) or any previous company law;]
(vii) the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956);
(viii) the Wealth-tax Act, 1957 (27 of 1957);
(ix) the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961);
(x) the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962);
(xi) the Competition Act, 2002 (12 of 2003);
(xii) the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999);
(xiii) the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (1 of 1986);
(xiv) the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992);
(xv) the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1922 (22 of 1922);
(xvi) the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 (15 of 2003);
[(xvii) the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016);
(xviii) the Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017);
(xix) the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (17 of 2018).]
(b) he had not been detained for any period under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and
Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (52 of 1974):
Provided that where the Central Government has given its approval to the appointment of a person
convicted or detained under sub-paragraph (a) or sub-paragraph (b), as the case may be, no further approval
of the Central Government shall be necessary for the subsequent appointment of that person if he had not
been so convicted or detained subsequent to such approval.
(c) he has completed the age of twenty-one years and has not attained the age of seventy years:
Provided that where he has attained the age of seventy years; and where his appointment is approved
by a special resolution passed by the company in general meeting, no further approval of the Central
Government shall be necessary for such appointment;
(d) where he is a managerial person in more than one company, he draws remuneration from one
or more companies subject to the ceiling provided in section V of Part II;
(e) he is resident of India.
Explanation I.—For the purpose of this Schedule, resident in India includes a person who has been
staying in India for a continuous period of not less than twelve months immediately preceding the date
of his appointment as a managerial person and who has come to stay in India,—
(i) for taking up employment in India; or
(ii) for carrying on a business or vacation in India.
Explanation II.—This condition shall not apply to the companies in Special Economic Zones as
notified by Department of Commerce from time to time:
Provided that a person, being a non-resident in India shall enter India only after obtaining a proper
Employment Visa from the concerned Indian mission abroad. For this purpose, such person shall be
required to furnish, along with the visa application form, profile of the company, the principal employer
and terms and conditions of such person’s appointment.
PART II
REMUNERATION
Section I.— Remuneration payable by companies having profits:
Subject to the provisions of section 197, a company having profits in a financial year may pay
remuneration to a managerial person or persons [or other director or directors] not exceeding the limits
specified in such section.
[Section II.— Remuneration payable by companies having no profit or inadequate profit 3***:
Where in any financial year during the currency of tenure of a managerial person [or other director], a
company has no profits or its profits are inadequate, it may, 3***, pay remuneration to the managerial person
[or other director] not exceeding the limits under (A) and (B) given below:—
[(A):
(1) (2) (3)
SI. No. Where the effective capital (in Limit of yearly remuneration payable Limit of yearly
rupees) is shall not exceed (in Rupees) in case of a remuneration payable
managerial person shall not exceed (in rupees)
in case of other director
(i) Negative or less than 5 60 lakhs 12 Lakhs
crores.
(ii) 5 crores and above but less than 100 84 lakhs 17 Lakhs
crores.
(iii) 100 crores and above but less than 120 lakhs 24 Lakhs
250 crores.
(iv) 250 crores and above. 120 lakhs plus 0.01% of the effective 24 Lakhs plus 0.01% of the
capital in excess of Rs. 250 crores: effective capital in excess of
Rs. 250 crores:]
[Provided that the remuneration in excess of above limits may be paid] if the resolution passed
by the shareholders is a special resolution.
Explanation.— It is hereby clarified that for a period less than one year, the limits shall be pro-rated.
(B) In case of a managerial person who is functioning in a professional capacity, [remuneration as
per item (A) may be paid], if such managerial person is not having any interest in the capital of the
company or its holding company or any of its subsidiaries directly or indirectly or through any other
statutory structures and not having any direct or indirect interest or related to the directors or promoters
of the company or its holding company or any of its subsidiaries at any time during the last two years
before or on or after the date of appointment and possesses graduate level qualification with expertise and
specialised knowledge in the field in which the company operates:
Provided that any employee of a company holding shares of the company not exceeding 0.5% of its paid up share
capital under any scheme formulated for allotment of shares to such employees including Employees Stock Option
Plan or by way of qualification shall be deemed to be a person not having any interest in the capital of the company:
Provided further that the limits specified under items (A) and (B) of this section shall apply, if-
(i) payment of remuneration is approved by a resolution passed by the Board and, in the case of a
company covered under sub-section (1) of section 178 also by the Nomination and
Remuneration Committee;
(ii) [the company has not committed any default in payment of dues to any bank or public financial
institution or non-convertible debenture holders or any other secured creditor, and in case of default,
the prior approval of the bank or public financial institution concerned or the non-convertible
debenture holders or other secured creditor, as the case may be, shall be obtained by the company
before obtaining the approval in the general meeting;]
(iii) an ordinary resolution or a special resolution, as the case may be, has been passed for payment
of remuneration as per 3*** item (A) or a special resolution has been passed for payment of
remuneration as per item (B), at the general meeting of the company for a period not exceeding
three years.
(iv) a statement along with a notice calling the general meeting referred to in clause (iii) is given to
the shareholders containing the following information, namely:-
I. General information:
(1) Nature of industry
(2) Date or expected date of commencement of commercial production
(3) In case of new companies, expected date of commencement of activities as per project approved
by financial institutions appearing in the prospectus
(4) Financial performance based on given indicators
(5) Foreign investments or collaborations, if any.
II. Information about the appointee:
(1) Background details
(2) Past remuneration
(3) Recognition or awards
(4) Job profile and his suitability
(5) Remuneration proposed
(6) Comparative remuneration profile with respect to industry, size of the company, profile of the
position and person (in case of expatriates the relevant details would be with respect to the country of
his origin)
(7) Pecuniary relationship directly or indirectly with the company, or relationship with the managerial
personnel, if any.
(1) Reasons of loss or inadequate profits
(2) Steps taken or proposed to be taken for improvement
(3) Expected increase in productivity and profits in measurable terms
IV. Disclosures:
The following disclosures shall be mentioned in the Board of Director’s report under the heading “Corporate
Governance”, if any, attached to the financial statement:
(i) all elements of remuneration package such as salary, benefits, bonuses, stock options, pension, etc., of all
the directors;
(ii) details of fixed component and performance linked incentives along with the performance criteria;
(iii) service contracts, notice period, severance fees; and
(iv) stock option details, if any, and whether the same has been issued at a discount as well as the period over
which accrued and over which exercisable.
Explanation: For the purposes of Section II of this part, “Statutory Structure” means any entity which is entitled
to hold shares in any company formed under any statute. ]
Section III.— Remuneration payable by companies having no profit or inadequate 1***profit in
certain special circumstances:
In the following circumstances a company may, 1***, pay remuneration to a managerial person [or
other director] in excess of the amounts provided in Section II above:—
(a) where the remuneration in excess of the limits specified in Section I or Section II is paid by any
other company and that other company is either a foreign company or has got the approval of its
shareholders in general meeting to make such payment, and treats this amount as managerial
remuneration for the purpose of section 197 and the total managerial remuneration payable by such
other company to its managerial persons including such amount or amounts is within permissible
limits under section 197.
[(b) where the company—
(i) is a newly incorporated company, for a period of seven years from the date of its
incorporation, or
(ii) is a sick company, for whom a scheme of revival or rehabilitation has been ordered by the
Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction for a period of five years from the date of
sanction of scheme of revival, or
(iii) is a company in relation to which a resolution plan has been approved by the National
Company Law Tribunal under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) for a period
of five years from the date of such approval,
it may pay [any remuneration to its managerial persons [or other directors]].]
(c) where remuneration of a managerial person [or other director] exceeds the limits in Section II but
the remuneration has been fixed by the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction or the
National Company Law Tribunal:
Provided that the limits under this Section shall be applicable subject to meeting all the conditions
specified under Section II and the following additional conditions:—
Explanation I.— For the purposes of Section II of this Part, “effective capital” means the aggregate
of the paid-up share capital (excluding share application money or advances against shares); amount, if
any, for the time being standing to the credit of share premium account; reserves and surplus (excluding
revaluation reserve); long-term loans and deposits repayable after one year (excluding working capital
loans, overdrafts, interest due on loans unless funded, bank guarantee, etc., and other short-term
arrangements) as reduced by the aggregate of any investments (except in case of investment by an
investment company whose principal business is acquisition of shares, stock, debentures or other
securities),accumulated losses and preliminary expenses not written off.
Explanation II.— (a) Where the appointment of the managerial person is made in the year in which
company has been incorporated, the effective capital shall be calculated as on the date of such
appointment;
(b) In any other case the effective capital shall be calculated as on the last date of the financial year
preceding the financial year in which the appointment of the managerial person is made.
Explanation III.— For the purposes of this Schedule, “family” means the spouse, dependent children
and dependent parents of the managerial person.
Explanation IV.— The Nomination and Remuneration Committee while approving the remuneration
under Section II or Section III, shall—
(a) take into account, financial position of the company, trend in the industry, appointee’s
qualification, experience, past performance, past remuneration, etc.;
(b) be in a position to bring about objectivity in determining the remuneration package while
striking a balance between the interest of the company and the shareholders.
Explanation V.— For the purposes of this Schedule, “negative effective capital” means the effective
capital which is calculated in accordance with the provisions contained in Explanation I of this Part is
less than zero.
Explanation VI.— For the purposes of this Schedule:—
* * * * *
(B) “Remuneration” means remuneration as defined in clause (78) of section 2 and includes
reimbursement of any direct taxes to the managerial person.
Section V. —Remuneration payable to a managerial person in two companies:
Subject to the provisions of sections I to IV, a managerial person shall draw remuneration from one or
both companies, provided that the total remuneration drawn from the companies does not exceed the higher
maximum limit admissible from any one of the companies of which he is a managerial person.
PART III
Provisions applicable to Parts I and II of this Schedule
1. The appointment and remuneration referred to in Part I and Part II of this Schedule shall be subject
to approval by a resolution of the shareholders in general meeting.
2. The auditor or the Secretary of the company or where the company is not required to appointed a
Secretary, a Secretary in whole-time practice shall certify that the requirement of this Schedule have been
complied with and such certificate shall be incorporated in the return filed with the Registrar under sub-
section (4) of section 196.
PART IV
The Central Government may, by notification, exempt any class or classes of companies from any of
the requirements contained in this Schedule.
Section 197 dashboard
Profit-linked limits and recovery controls
| Control | Limit / rule | Approval note |
|---|
| Overall public-company limit | 11% of section 198 net profit | Members may authorise higher payment subject to Schedule V |
| One MD/WTD/manager | 5% | Special resolution to exceed |
| All MD/WTD/manager together | 10% | Special resolution to exceed |
| Other directors where MD/WTD/manager exists | 1% collectively | Special resolution to exceed |
| Other directors where none exists | 3% collectively | Special resolution to exceed |
| Sitting fee | Up to Rs 1 lakh per meeting | Outside percentage ceilings; Rule 4 conditions |
| Excess received | Refund within 2 years or shorter allowed period | Held in trust until refund |
| Waiver of recovery | Special resolution within 2 years | Prior creditor approval if payment default exists |
Cash-payment control: payroll should not release variable pay, commission, waiver or severance without the legal-approval checklist and section 198/Schedule V certificate.
Section 198
Statutory profit bridge
| Treatment | Examples |
|---|
| Credit | Government bounties/subsidies unless directed otherwise |
| Do not credit | Share/debenture premium profits, forfeited-share profits, capital profits, most fixed-asset sale gains, fair-value/revaluation/unrealised gains |
| Deduct | Working charges, remuneration, staff bonus/commission, interest, repairs, section 181 contributions, depreciation, prior statutory deficits, legal compensation, insurance, bad debts |
| Do not deduct | Income tax, voluntary compensation, capital losses, specified fair-value changes |
Recommended workpaper
- Audited profit before tax
- Line-by-line statutory additions/exclusions
- Depreciation and prior deficit check
- Asset-sale gain analysis
- Fair-value and unrealised-gain removal
- Tie-out to remuneration percentage
Review ownership
- Finance prepares
- Legal/secretarial validates approvals
- NRC assesses package
- Board approves terms
- Auditor reports under section 197(16)
KMP applicability
Who must appoint whom?
| Company class | Requirement | Control point |
|---|
| Listed company | Full section 203 whole-time KMP suite | MD/CEO/manager or WTD + CS + CFO |
| Other public company - paid-up capital Rs 10 crore or more | Full section 203 whole-time KMP suite | Rule 8 |
| Private company - paid-up capital Rs 10 crore or more | Whole-time company secretary | Rule 8A |
| Below thresholds | Check articles, sector rules, contracts and voluntary designation | Formal Board designation may still create KMP status under section 2(51) |
| Vacancy | Board meeting within six months | Maintain interim authority and succession controls |
Designation control: a person one level below directors can become KMP if formally designated by the Board under section 2(51); the title should match filings, authority and liability mapping.
Secretarial audit
Applicability and assurance lifecycle
| Trigger / element | Current rule |
|---|
| Listed company | Always covered under section 204/Rule 9 |
| Public company - paid-up capital | Rs 50 crore or more |
| Public company - turnover | Rs 250 crore or more |
| Any company - bank/PFI loans or borrowings | Rs 100 crore or more |
| Report | MR-3 annexed to Board report |
| Board response | Full explanation of every qualification/observation |
| Auditor | Company secretary in practice under current law |
| Penalty | Rs 2 lakh for each liable person/entity under section 204(4) |
Scope
Entity + laws + records
→
Evidence
Registers, minutes, filings
→
MR-3
Qualifications and observations
→
Board report
Full explanation
→
Remediate
Owner + deadline + closure proof
Forms and evidence
Chapter XIII control file
| Form / record | Purpose | Legal link | Timing |
|---|
| MR-1 | Return of appointment of MD/WTD/manager | Section 196(4), Rule 3 | Within 60 days of appointment |
| MR-2 | Application to Central Government | Sections 196 and 201, Rule 6 | Event-driven; current form instructions |
| MR-3 | Secretarial audit report | Section 204, Rule 9 | Annex to Board report annually where applicable |
| DIR-12 | Appointment/change/cessation of director or KMP | Sections 170/203 and Director Rules | Generally within 30 days of event |
| MGT-14 | Specified Board/member resolutions | Sections 117/179 and applicable exemptions | Within 30 days where filing applies |
| MBP-1 | Disclosure of director interest | Section 184 | Annual/event-driven; appointment decisions |
| Board resolution | KMP appointment and terms | Section 203(2), Board Rules | At Board meeting |
| NRC recommendation | Appointment and remuneration recommendation | Sections 178/197/Schedule V | Before Board/member approval where applicable |
| Member resolution | Appointment/remuneration approval | Sections 196-197 and Schedule V | At next/general meeting as required |
| Creditor approval | Prior approval in default cases | Section 197 and Schedule V | Before general meeting approval |
| Section 198 working | Statutory net-profit computation | Sections 197-198 | Each remuneration year |
| Board-report remuneration statement | Listed-company and Rule 5 disclosures | Section 197(12), Rule 5 | Annual Board report |
| Secretarial standards register | SS-1/SS-2 compliance evidence | Section 205 | Continuous / meeting cycle |
| Secretarial audit evidence file | MR-3 workpapers and management responses | Section 204 | Annual and event-driven |
One-source rule: Board minutes, member notice, contract, MR-1/DIR-12/MGT-14, payroll data, financial statements and Board-report disclosures must use the same designation, dates and remuneration terms.
Legislative watch
Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 - proposals only
| Proposal | Direction |
|---|
| New section 203A | Would create a statutory resignation route for whole-time KMP who is not a director, including company filing, optional self-filing on company default, effective date and continuing liability. |
| Section 204 terminology | Would replace company secretary in practice references with secretarial auditor and add eligibility rules for individuals and firms. |
| Status | These are proposals introduced on 23 March 2026. They are not operative unless enacted and commenced. |
Current compliance: do not use the proposed KMP resignation filing or “secretarial auditor” framework until enacted and brought into force.
Applied learning
14 practical case studies
Reappointment too early
A five-year MD term ends on 31 March 2028. Reappointment before 1 April 2027 is premature under section 196(2).
Age 70 threshold
The proposed CEO is 71 and will also be MD. Obtain the section 196 special resolution with express justification, or evaluate the residual Central Government route.
Private-company pay package
Section 197 percentage ceilings apply to public companies, but a private company must still follow its articles, contract, Board/member authority, tax, related-party and KMP rules.
Inadequate-profit year
A public company has accounting profit but negative section 198 profit. Apply Schedule V rather than the ordinary 5%/10% accounting-profit approach.
Creditor default
Before seeking members’ approval for excess remuneration, obtain prior approval from the bank/PFI/NCD holder/secured creditor concerned.
Excess remuneration
An executive received Rs 20 lakh without the required approval. The amount is held in trust and must be refunded within the section 197 period unless a valid waiver is approved.
Restatement clawback
Fraud inflated performance bonus paid to the CEO. Section 199 recovery is based on the restated financial statements and includes excess stock-option value.
Two-company MD
A person is already MD of one company. Appointment as MD of one additional company requires the special unanimous Board route and specific notice.
Private CS threshold
A private company increases paid-up capital to Rs 11 crore. Rule 8A requires a whole-time company secretary.
KMP vacancy
The CFO resigns on 1 July. The Board must fill the resulting statutory vacancy at a meeting within six months.
Secretarial audit borrowing test
An unlisted private company has Rs 105 crore bank borrowings in its latest audited statements. Rule 9 secretarial audit applies.
Weak Board response
The MR-3 notes repeated late filings. “The observation is self-explanatory” is not a full Board explanation.
Loss-of-office payment
A WTD resigns voluntarily. Section 202 does not permit statutory loss-of-office compensation merely because the employment contract provides a severance amount.
Company secretary warning
The CS documents a serious compliance breach. The Board cannot avoid responsibility by stating that compliance was delegated to the CS.
Finin2min Q&A
Frequently asked questions
Does section 197 apply to every company?
Its percentage ceilings govern public companies. Other companies still need valid corporate authority, contracts, related-party, tax and applicable sector compliance.
Can an MD be appointed for ten years?
No. Each term is capped at five years, and reappointment cannot occur earlier than one year before expiry.
Can a person aged 70 or more be MD?
Yes, through the section 196 special-resolution route with justification, or the narrow Central Government route where statutory conditions are met.
Is PAT the remuneration profit?
No. Section 198 prescribes a separate computation.
Can sitting fees exceed Rs 1 lakh?
Not under the current Rule 4 ceiling per Board or committee meeting.
Does Schedule V apply to independent directors?
Yes. Since 18 March 2021, the no/inadequate-profit framework expressly covers other directors, including independent directors.
Can excess remuneration be waived by the Board?
No. Section 197 requires special-resolution approval within the prescribed two-year period, with prior creditor approval where applicable.
Must every private company appoint CFO, CS and CEO?
No. Rule 8 applies the full suite to listed and prescribed public companies. Rule 8A separately requires a whole-time CS for private companies with paid-up capital of Rs 10 crore or more.
Can whole-time KMP work in two companies?
Generally no, except the subsidiary-company rule and the special MD route for one other company.
What is the KMP-vacancy deadline?
Six months from the vacancy, filled by the Board at a meeting.
Is secretarial audit limited to listed companies?
No. Rule 9 also covers threshold public companies and any company meeting the Rs 100 crore bank/PFI borrowing test.
Are the 2026 Bill changes current law?
No. New section 203A and the proposed section 204 changes remain proposals until enacted and commenced.
Exam and professional use
How to answer Chapter XIII cases
| Case type | Answer framework |
|---|
| Appointment case | Test company class, office type, simultaneous MD/manager bar, term, reappointment timing, age, disqualifications, Schedule V, Board/member/CG route and MR-1. |
| Remuneration case | Compute section 198 profit; apply 11%, 5/10% and 1/3% limits; test special resolution, creditor approval and Schedule V. |
| Schedule V case | Compute effective capital, select managerial/other-director limit, test professional-capacity route, approval period, disclosures and certification. |
| KMP case | Apply Rule 8/8A, formal Board appointment, dual-office restrictions, vacancy deadline and filings. |
| Secretarial audit case | Apply all four Rule 9 triggers, MR-3, auditor eligibility, Board explanations and penalties. |
| Exit compensation case | Identify eligible office, excluded circumstances, lower of remaining term/three years and average remuneration base. |
| Restatement case | Separate section 197 refund from section 199 clawback and other liability. |
| CS functions case | State reporting, standards, Rule 10 functions and continuing Board responsibility. |
Recommended conclusion: identify the company class, statutory office, approval authority, calculation base, threshold, form, timing, disclosure and consequence in that order.


Primary-source register
Sources used
| Source | Link | Use |
|---|
| India Code - Companies Act, 2013 | Open source | Chapter XIII, Schedule V, Rules and amendment register |
| India Code - official Act PDF | Open source | Consolidated sections 196-205 and Schedule V |
| MCA Acts and Rules e-book | Open source | Current forms, notifications and instruction kits |
| ICSI Secretarial Standards | Open source | SS-1, SS-2 and professional standards |
| SEBI legal framework | Open source | Listed-entity remuneration and KMP overlays |
| Official Gazette - Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 | Open source | Proposal-only sections 203A and 204 changes |
Review date: 26 June 2026. India Code identifies the latest listed Managerial Personnel Rules amendment as 19 January 2023. Current MCA and SEBI instructions should still be checked on the transaction and filing date.