Basics
What is due diligence on an Indian company?
An independent check of an Indian company before you invest in it, buy it or partner with it — its identity, finances, tax, regulatory standing, owners and premises. More.
Can due diligence in India be done remotely?
Most of it can — public records, filed accounts, data rooms and management calls. A premises visit adds what records can't show; we do both from offices in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Rajkot and Dubai. More.
Who does due diligence in India for foreign companies?
Chartered Accountants for financial, tax and FEMA work, alongside lawyers for legal diligence. CA Durgesh Chavda's team works for foreign companies and reports in English. More.
What's the difference between verification and full due diligence?
Verification answers 'is this company real and roughly what it claims?' from records and a visit. Full due diligence reviews three years of financials, tax, FEMA, related parties and liabilities, with deal recommendations. More.
Records and checks
Are Indian private companies' accounts public?
Yes. Financial statements and annual returns are filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and can be viewed for about ₹100 per company. More.
How do I check an Indian company's GST status?
Use 'Search Taxpayer' on the GST portal — it shows whether the GSTIN is active and whether returns are filed. More.
Can I check the directors of an Indian company?
Yes — MCA records list directors and their other companies; integrity checks add regulatory lists, insolvency and court records, sanctions and media. More.
What are the biggest red flags?
Filed revenue far below claims, cancelled GST, undisclosed charges, unpaid tax demands, related-party cash flows, promoters linked to struck-off companies, and payment requests to another entity. More.
Scope, time and cost
How long does due diligence in India take?
A verification with a site visit typically takes days to a couple of weeks; full financial, tax and FEMA due diligence depends on the company's size and how fast data arrives — the timetable is agreed at the start. More.
What drives the cost of due diligence in India?
Scope (verification vs full diligence), the company's size and number of entities, data quality, site visits and travel, and deadlines. We fix the scope and fee upfront. More.
What will I receive?
A written English report: what was checked, findings with references to records, red flags and a conclusion — plus agreement points for deals. More.
Rules that apply
Does India's anti-bribery law apply to foreign companies?
Yes — since July 2018 companies carrying on business in India can be liable for bribes by associates unless they had adequate procedures. More.
Do US companies still need FCPA checks on Indian partners?
Yes — US enforcement priorities narrowed in 2025, but third-party due diligence remains central to a credible compliance programme. More.
What do UK companies need?
Bribery Act 'adequate procedures' and, for large organisations, 'reasonable procedures' under the failure-to-prevent-fraud offence in force since 1 September 2025. More.
What about EU and German supply-chain rules?
Germany's supply-chain due-diligence duties still apply (reporting suspended); the EU CSDDD applies from 26 July 2029 and the Forced Labour Regulation from 14 December 2027. More.
What FEMA checks matter in a deal?
That every past foreign investment was reported (FC-GPR within 30 days, FC-TRS within 60 days) and priced at fair value — and that your own deal follows the same rules. More.
Please note: this guide is general information based on the rules as they stood on the review date above. Regulations and RBI/CBDT procedures change often — please get advice on your specific facts before acting.