Section 185 of Companies Act 2013: Restrictions on Director Loans



Quick Summary
Section 185 of the Companies Act 2013 generally prohibits companies from providing loans, advances, guarantees, or securities to their directors, holding company directors, directors' relatives, or business partners. However, there are specific exceptions. Loans to managing or full-time directors are permitted if they align with employee service conditions or are approved by a special resolution. Companies can also provide loans, guarantees, or securities in their ordinary course of business, provided the interest rate is at least as high as current government security yields.

Section 185 of Companies Act 2013 prohibits companies from giving loans. According to Section 184(1) of the Act, a company may not directly or indirectly make an advance loan, make an advance loan that is expressed by a book debt, give a guarantee or security in conjunction with any borrowed money -

  • To its Director
  • To its holding company's Director
  • To Director's Relatives
  • To the business partner, if the Director is a partner
  • To the partnership firm in which the company's Director or holding company is Partner.

Exceptions of Section 185: Providing Loans To its Directors

1.Companies that provide business loans to its Managing Directors or full time Directors are required to do so with the following terms:

  • Conditions of service provided to all of their workers, or
  • In accordance with a plan approved by special resolution.

2.Companies offering loans , guarantees and securities in the regular course of business charge interest that is at least as high as the current yield on government securities with terms of one year, three years, five years or ten years.

Remuneration to Director u/s 197

Remuneration to Director under Schedule V

Penalty Provisions

Penalties may attract if a company contravenes the provisions of Section 185 of Companies Act 2013 regarding loans, guarantees, or securities to directors or related parties:

  • Company: Fine of Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs.
  • Director/Recipient: Fine of Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs or imprisonment up to 6 months, or both.

Click here to know more about Remuneration of Directors.

FAQ :

Section 185 of the Companies Act 2013 prohibits companies from directly or indirectly giving loans, advances, guarantees, or securities to their directors, holding company directors, directors' relatives, or business partners.

Yes, exceptions exist. Loans to managing or full-time directors are allowed if they are part of general employee service conditions or approved by a special resolution. Also, loans, guarantees, and securities provided in the ordinary course of business are permitted if the interest charged is at least equal to the current yield on government securities.

Companies that contravene Section 185 face fines ranging from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs. Directors or recipients involved may also be fined Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs, or face imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

No, Section 185 of the Companies Act 2013 prohibits companies from giving loans or similar financial arrangements to a director's relatives.




About the Author

Finance Professional

I write about Income Tax, GST, TDS, RBI updates, government schemes, and personal finance in India. My focus is on simplifying complex tax and compliance topics into easy-to-understand guides that help readers stay updated with the latest financial rules, investment options, and regulatory changes.

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