Companies Act 1956 Forms
Before the introduction of the Companies Act, 2013, companies in India were governed by the Companies Act, 1956. Although the 2013 Act replaced most provisions of the earlier law, certain filings and records related to companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 may still require reference to the old forms. In some cases, companies may need to access historical filings, complete specific compliance procedures, or handle matters connected with earlier registrations.
At N D Savla & Associates, we assist businesses in handling matters related to Companies Act 1956 forms, including reviewing old records, filing applicable forms where required, and guiding clients through compliance procedures linked to earlier corporate filings.
What are Companies Act 1956 Forms?
Under the Companies Act, 1956, companies were required to file various statutory forms with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). These forms were used for incorporation, changes in company structure, annual filings, and other regulatory compliances.
Although many of these forms are no longer used for new filings, they remain relevant for:
Accessing historical corporate records
Reviewing past filings made under the 1956 Act
Handling compliance matters related to earlier registrations
Corporate restructuring involving older filings
Understanding these forms helps businesses maintain continuity of records and comply with regulatory requirements.
Common Forms under the Companies Act, 1956
Some commonly used forms under the Companies Act, 1956 included:
Form 1 – Application for Company Incorporation
This form was used for registering a new company along with the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Form 5 – Notice of Increase in Authorized Share Capital
Companies used this form to inform the Registrar about changes in their authorized share capital.
Form 18 – Notice of Situation or Change of Registered Office
This form was used to notify the ROC about the registered office address or any change in the registered office.
Form 32 – Particulars of Appointment of Directors
Companies filed this form to report the appointment, resignation, or change in details of directors.
Form 20B – Annual Return of Company
The annual return containing company details and shareholding information was filed using this form.
Form 23AC & 23ACA – Filing of Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Account
These forms were used for filing financial statements with the Registrar of Companies.
Importance of Historical Corporate Records
Many companies incorporated before the introduction of the Companies Act, 2013 may still have historical filings under the 1956 Act. These records may be required for legal verification, due diligence, regulatory review, or corporate restructuring activities.
Maintaining and understanding these records helps ensure continuity of corporate documentation and compliance.
Our Services for Companies Act 1956 Filings
At N D Savla & Associates, we assist clients with matters related to Companies Act 1956 filings and records, including:
Retrieval and review of historical ROC filings
Assistance with corporate records under the 1956 Act
Compliance guidance related to earlier corporate forms
Corporate documentation and regulatory advisory
Support in interpreting historical company filings
Our team helps businesses understand and manage older corporate records while ensuring compliance with current regulatory requirements.
F.A.Q.
These are statutory forms that were used for various company filings under the Companies Act, 1956 before the introduction of the Companies Act, 2013.
Most new filings are now done under the Companies Act, 2013. However, forms under the 1956 Act may still be relevant for historical records and earlier filings.
Old forms help maintain corporate history and may be required for due diligence, regulatory review, or verification of earlier company records.
Form 32 was used to report appointment, resignation, or changes in directors of a company.
Form 18 was used to notify the Registrar of Companies about the registered office address or change in registered office.
Yes. Historical filings made under the Companies Act, 1956 can be accessed through the MCA database.
Yes. Professional firms like N D Savla & Associates can assist with reviewing historical filings, retrieving documents, and providing guidance on corporate records.
