Companies Act 2013 · Rules · G.S.R. 256(E)
Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014
What counts as a deposit, which companies may accept deposits and on what terms, and the annual return in Form DPT-3, which is due from companies holding deposits and from companies with outstanding receipts that are not deposits (such as loans from directors). Qualifying private companies are exempt from parts of section 73(2) under the 2015 private company exemption notification.
Last checked: 27 October 2026 against the Ministry of Corporate Affairs consolidated rules text.
| Notification | G.S.R. 256(E) dated 31 March 2014 · made for Chapter V of the Act |
|---|---|
| Act sections | 73, 74, 76 |
| MCA forms | DPT-1, DPT-2, DPT-3 |
| Latest amendment | Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Amendment Rules, 2022 The latest amendment shown in MCA's consolidated text. The date is not shown there. Source: MCA consolidated text · 11 amending notifications shown in MCA's text |
The rules, one by one
Rule numbers and headings follow MCA's consolidated text. Rule 1 (short title) and rule 2 (definitions) are left out unless they matter in practice. The notes are a plain-English guide, not the rule text.
| Rule | Heading | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Definitions | Rule 2(1)(c) lists the receipts that are NOT deposits, such as share application money allotted in time, loans from banks, certain loans from directors (with a declaration), advances for goods or services within limits, and others. |
| 3 | Terms and conditions of acceptance of deposits | Deposits run for 6 to 36 months. A private company may accept deposits from its members up to 100% of paid-up capital, free reserves and securities premium. Other public companies may accept up to 35% from members. An eligible public company may accept up to 10% from members and 25% from the public. |
| 4 | Advertisement or circular | A company inviting deposits issues a circular in Form DPT-1 and files it with the Registrar. |
| 5 | Deposit insurance | The deposit insurance requirement for companies accepting deposits. |
| 6 | Creation of security | Security for secured deposits. |
| 7 | Appointment of trustee for depositors | For secured deposits, a trustee is appointed under a trust deed in Form DPT-2. |
| 8 | Duties of trustees | |
| 9 | Meeting of depositors | |
| 10 | Application form for deposits | |
| 11 | Power to nominate | |
| 12 | Deposit receipts | A receipt must be given to the depositor within 21 days. |
| 13 | Liquid assets and deposit repayment reserve | At least 20% of deposits maturing in the next financial year must be kept in a deposit repayment reserve account in a scheduled bank by 30 April. |
| 14 | Register of deposits | |
| 15 | Premature repayment | |
| 16 | Return of deposits | Form DPT-3 is filed by 30 June each year, with information as at 31 March, for deposits and also for outstanding receipts that are not deposits. |
| 16A | Disclosures in financial statements | Disclosure of money received from directors, including the director's declaration that it is not out of borrowed funds. |
| 17 | Penal rate of interest | A company that fails to repay on time pays penal interest of 18% a year for the overdue period. |
| 18 | Power of Central Government to decide certain questions | |
| 19 | Applicability of sections 73 and 74 to eligible companies | |
| 20 | Statement of deposits existing at commencement of the Act | A transitional rule for deposits taken before the Act came into force. |
| 21 | Punishment for contravention |
Related
- Private company exemption from parts of section 73
- All Companies Rules · Companies Act 2013 ready reckoner
Other rules explained in detail: Incorporation Rules · Share Capital and Debentures Rules · Management and Administration Rules · Accounts Rules · Audit and Auditors Rules · Appointment and Qualification of Directors Rules · Meetings of Board and its Powers Rules
Sources: Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Acts & Rules e-book (consolidated rules with amendment notes), and the Gazette of India notifications named on this page. This page is a plain-English guide, not the text of the rules. Check the current rule on the MCA portal before relying on it.