- MCA company master data, the GST taxpayer search and DGFT's IEC lookup are free.
- A company's filed financial statements can be viewed on MCA for about ₹100.
- The biggest red flag is a gap between what a supplier claims and what it has filed with the government.
Free checks anyone can run
| Check | Where | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Company master data | MCA portal → “View Company/LLP Master Data” (free) | Legal name, CIN, incorporation date, status (active / struck off), registered address, paid-up capital, directors, last filing dates |
| Charges | MCA → “Index of Charges” (free) | Loans secured on the company’s assets, and which banks hold them |
| GST registration | GST portal → “Search Taxpayer” (free) | Whether the GSTIN is active, legal and trade name, place of business and whether returns are being filed |
| Import–export code | DGFT → “View any IEC” (free) | Whether the company is registered to import or export |
| Directors | MCA master data → each director’s DIN | Other companies they run — including struck-off ones |
The ₹100 check most people miss
For about ₹100 per company (₹50 for an LLP), MCA’s “View Public Documents” lets you read the company’s filed financial statements and annual returns — revenue, profit, debt, shareholders. A supplier claiming ₹100 crore of sales that files ₹2 crore with the government has told you what you need to know.
Red flags
- Status “strike off”, “dormant” or “under process of striking off”; annual filings years behind.
- Bank details in a name different from the legal name, or a personal account.
- GSTIN cancelled or returns not filed for months.
- Paid-up capital of ₹1 lakh behind a claimed multi-crore operation.
- Directors linked to many struck-off companies.
- Pressure to pay an “advance” to a different entity “for tax reasons”.
When to go deeper
For larger contracts, distributorships, JVs or investments, a CA can read the filed accounts properly, reconcile them with GST returns, check tax demands and court records, and interview management. That’s what due diligence in India covers — remotely, in English.
Sources
- GST portal — Search Taxpayer user manual
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA21)
- DGFT — Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if an Indian company is legit?
Is MCA company search free?
How do I check a GST number in India?
Can I see the financial statements of a private company in India?
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.