Companies, Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries are facing difficulties in completing statutory annual filings due to recurring technical glitches on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal. Frequent login failures, session timeouts, form validation errors and upload issues have added to the pressure as important filing deadlines approach.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has requested the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to extend the due dates for specified annual e-forms under the Companies Act, 2013, until December 31, 2026, without additional fees.
In its representation dated October 9, 2026, ICSI highlighted the difficulties being reported by professionals and companies while filing financial statements and annual returns through the MCA21 Version 3 portal. The request seeks to give stakeholders additional time to complete their filings accurately amid continuing technical disruptions and increased disclosure requirements.
MCA21 V3 Portal Glitches Create Filing Challenges
The portal-related problems are affecting several stages of the filing process, from accessing accounts and preparing forms to uploading documents and completing submissions.
According to ICSI's representation, stakeholders have reported the following issues:
- Login failures and session timeouts: Users are experiencing difficulties logging in, with sessions expiring or users being logged out while working on forms.
- Frequent downtime and slow response: The portal reportedly becomes slow or inaccessible, particularly during peak filing hours.
- Form validation errors: Forms may fail validation even when the information entered is believed to be correct.
- Incorrect pre-filled information: Errors in automatically populated data are creating additional verification and correction work.
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) issues: Professionals have reported difficulties associating their DSCs with the portal.
- Upload and submission failures: Users have encountered problems uploading forms, generating Service Request Numbers (SRNs), processing payments and tracking filed forms or approvals.
These issues can disrupt work even after professionals have invested considerable time in preparing the required information. Repeated attempts to complete a submission may further increase the time needed to meet statutory deadlines.
Revised Annual Filing Forms Add to Compliance Workload
The technical issues are coinciding with changes in the structure and disclosure requirements of annual filing forms under the MCA21 V3 framework.
ICSI has pointed out that forms such as AOC-4 and MGT-7 require more detailed information to be entered directly into the forms, reducing reliance on attachments and increasing the time required for preparation.
The workload is particularly significant for companies that must prepare and file detailed financial statements, annual returns and XBRL-based financial information. XBRL filings require tagging, validation and reconciliation, making it important for professionals to have sufficient time to verify the information before submission.
When these requirements are combined with portal slowdowns, failed uploads and repeated validation attempts, completing filings within the prescribed timelines becomes more challenging.
Which MCA Forms Are Covered by ICSI's Extension Request?
ICSI has sought a one-time extension until December 31, 2026, without additional fees for the following forms:
- Form AOC-4
- Form AOC-4 (CFS)
- Form AOC-4 (XBRL)
- Form AOC-4 NBFC (Ind AS)
- Form AOC-4 CFS NBFC (Ind AS)
- Form DIR-12
- Form ADT-1
- Form MGT-7
- Form MGT-7A
The request is intended to provide companies and professionals with additional time to complete the relevant statutory filings while ensuring accuracy and compliance with the applicable disclosure requirements.
ICSI Seeks Relief as Filing Deadlines Approach
The extension request comes at a time when companies and their professional advisers are working to complete annual compliance requirements. Portal disruptions during this period can affect not only the initial filing but also corrections, resubmissions and the completion of related procedures.
ICSI has asked the MCA to consider the difficulties faced by stakeholders and provide a one-time extension without additional fees. The request also refers to the additional time needed to comply with the revised filing requirements and the practical challenges associated with the portal's performance.
However, ICSI's request should not be treated as an approved extension. The representation seeks relief from the Ministry; it does not, by itself, change the existing statutory due dates or waive additional fees.
Until the MCA issues an official notification or communication granting the requested relief, companies should continue to monitor the Ministry's announcements and plan their filings according to the applicable deadlines.
What Should Companies and Professionals Do Now?
While awaiting an official decision, companies and professionals handling annual filings should consider taking the following steps:
- Avoid waiting until the last date: Prepare the relevant financial statements, annual returns and supporting information as early as possible.
- Verify pre-filled details: Check company particulars and other information populated by the portal before submitting the forms.
- Keep filing records: Retain screenshots of errors, timestamps, helpdesk tickets and other evidence of unsuccessful filing attempts.
- Check submission status: Verify whether a form has been successfully submitted and whether an SRN or payment confirmation has been generated.
- Monitor official MCA updates: Check for notifications or circulars concerning extensions, additional fees and filing-related relaxations.
Conclusion
The continuing MCA21 V3 portal difficulties have added another layer of uncertainty to the annual compliance season. While revised forms require greater attention to detail, recurring technical problems can make it difficult for companies and professionals to complete filings within the prescribed timelines.
ICSI's request for an extension until December 31, 2026, seeks to address these concerns and provide additional time for accurate compliance. Stakeholders should, however, rely on an official MCA announcement before assuming that the requested extension has been granted.
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