How to check an Indian company (MCA, GST and IEC)
By the Vanguard Verify desk · Published 2026-10-31 · Updated 2026-10-31
Short answer: search the company's 21-character CIN or name on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) "View Company/LLP Master Data" page, which is free. Then match its GSTIN on the GST portal and its IEC on the DGFT portal. All three must point to the same legal name and PAN, and the MCA status should read Active.
Indian sellers of sugar, cement, rice, steel and fertiliser often send offers that list a "Private Limited" company. The government publishes enough free data to confirm the company exists, is still on the register, and can legally import or export. Here is how to check it in about 15 minutes.
Step 1: Read the CIN before you search
Every company registered with a Registrar of Companies (ROC) gets a 21-character Corporate Identification Number. It is not random, so you can spot obvious errors before you look anything up.
| Characters | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | L = listed, U = unlisted | U |
| 2–6 | Industry (NIC) code | 72900 |
| 7–8 | State code | KA (Karnataka) |
| 9–12 | Year of incorporation | 2020 |
| 13–15 | Company type: PTC (private), PLC (public), OPC (one person) | PTC |
| 16–21 | ROC registration number | 134567 |
If a seller says it is a 30-year-old public mill but the CIN shows "PTC" and a recent year, ask why.
Step 2: Look up the MCA master data
- Go to mca.gov.in and open MCA Services → Company Services → View Company/LLP Master Data.
- Search by CIN, or by name (at least 3 characters). Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Check the company status, incorporation date, registered address, authorised and paid-up capital, last AGM date, last balance sheet date, current directors with their DIN, and any registered charges.
- Print the page to PDF for your file.
Status matters most. "Active" or "Active-Compliant" is what you want. "Under Process of Striking Off", "Struck Off", "Dormant", "Under Liquidation", "Amalgamated" or "Dissolved" means the company should not be signing a new supply contract. Filed documents such as annual returns and financial statements need a registered MCA account and a fee.
Step 3: Match the GSTIN
Ask the seller for its GSTIN (GST number). On gst.gov.in, use Search Taxpayer → Search by GSTIN. The portal shows the legal name, registration date, taxpayer type, status and return filing history.
The 15-character GSTIN has a fixed structure: characters 1–2 are the state code and characters 3–12 are the company's 10-character PAN. That PAN should be the same one the company uses everywhere else. A GSTIN that is cancelled, or that belongs to a different legal name, is a stop sign.
Step 4: Check the IEC if they claim to export
Importing or exporting from India requires an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The IEC is 10 characters and now matches the PAN. On the DGFT portal, use "View Any IEC Details" with the IEC and the first letters of the firm name. Only an Active IEC can be used to ship. IEC holders must confirm their profile every year between April and June, or the IEC is deactivated, so check it close to signing.
Step 5: Tie it together
The legal name, PAN, state and address on the MCA, GST and DGFT records should agree with each other and with the letterhead, bank details and contract. If the company also has an LEI, check it too (see how to check an LEI number). For the general method that works in any country, see is this company real? how to check.
Red flags
- MCA status is anything other than Active or Active-Compliant.
- Last AGM or balance sheet date is more than about 15 months old, which suggests missed annual filings.
- Paid-up capital is tiny next to the size of the deal being offered.
- The person signing is not listed as a current director, and has no written authority from the board.
- The PAN inside the GSTIN does not match the IEC, or the GST legal name is different.
- No IEC, or an inactive one, from a company offering FOB or CIF export cargo.
- The seller sends a screenshot instead of letting you search the portals yourself.
What these checks do not prove
An active registration shows the company exists and is compliant on paper. It does not prove it owns the cargo, has production capacity or is solvent. MCA data can also lag by a day or more. For large deals, pair these checks with audited financials, a credit report and independent inspection of the goods.
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FAQ
Is the MCA company search free?
Yes. The View Company/LLP Master Data page on mca.gov.in is free to use. Filed documents such as annual returns and financial statements need a registered account and a fee.
What does a CIN starting with U mean?
U means the company is unlisted (not on a stock exchange). L means listed.
How do I check if an Indian company can export?
Search its Importer Exporter Code (IEC) on the DGFT portal using View Any IEC Details. Only an Active IEC can be used for import or export.
How do I find the PAN from a GSTIN?
Characters 3 to 12 of the 15-character GSTIN are the company's PAN. Characters 1 and 2 are the state code.
Vanguard Verify is run by Vanguard Trade Capital Goods Wholesalers DWC-LLC, Dubai South, Licence 14282. This answer is general information, not legal or financial advice.