Companies Act 2013 · Rules · G.S.R. 1174(E)
Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Rules, 2016
How a company is struck off the register: by the Registrar on its own (notice STK-1), or on the company's own application (STK-2). Also covers the supporting indemnity, affidavit and statement of accounts, public notice and final dissolution.
Last checked: 27 October 2026 against the Ministry of Corporate Affairs consolidated rules text.
| Notification | G.S.R. 1174(E) dated 26 December 2016 · made for Chapter XVIII of the Act |
|---|---|
| Act sections | 248, 249, 250, 252 |
| MCA forms | STK-1, STK-2, STK-3, STK-3A, STK-4, STK-5, STK-5A, STK-6, STK-7, STK-8 |
| Latest amendment | Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Amendment Rules, 2025, G.S.R. 940(E) dated 31 December 2025 For government companies, the STK-3A indemnity bond is signed by an authorised officer of the administrative ministry. Source: MCA text + Gazette reports · 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Removal of name on suo motu basis | If a company has not started business within a year of incorporation, or has not carried on business for two financial years and has not applied for dormant status, the Registrar sends notice in STK-1 to the company and its directors, followed by a public notice in STK-5. |
| 4 | Application for removal of name | The company applies in STK-2 with a fee of ₹10,000, after extinguishing its liabilities and passing a special resolution (or obtaining the consent of 75% of members by paid-up capital). Overdue AOC-4 and MGT-7 returns up to the year business stopped must be filed first, and STK-2 cannot be filed once the Registrar has issued STK-7. NBFCs, housing finance companies, insurers and other regulated companies need a no-objection certificate from their regulator. Supporting papers include an indemnity bond (STK-3; STK-3A for government nominee directors), an affidavit (STK-4) and a statement of accounts (STK-8). |
| 5 | Manner of filing of application | |
| 6 | Form to be certified | STK-2 is certified by a chartered accountant, company secretary or cost accountant in whole-time practice. |
| 7 | Manner of publication of notice | The public notice is in STK-5 (strike-off by the Registrar) or STK-6 (the company's application). It is placed on the MCA website and in the Official Gazette, and published in an English and a vernacular newspaper (in STK-5A for Registrar cases). The Registrar also asks tax authorities for objections within 30 days. |
| 8 | Notarisation for foreign nationals and NRIs | |
| 9 | Notice of striking off and dissolution | The Registrar publishes the notice of striking off and dissolution in STK-7. |
| 10 | Pending applications |
Related
Other rules explained in detail: Incorporation Rules · Share Capital and Debentures Rules · Acceptance of Deposits Rules · Management and Administration Rules · Accounts Rules · Audit and Auditors Rules · Appointment and Qualification of Directors Rules · Meetings of Board and its Powers Rules · Prospectus and Allotment of Securities Rules · Registration of Charges Rules · Significant Beneficial Owners Rules · CSR Policy Rules · Managerial Personnel Rules · Compromises, Arrangements and Amalgamations Rules · Registration Offices and Fees 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.