Let’s break down the important registers that every company must keep. Before diving into registers, ensure you’ve avoided the top mistakes businesses make during company registration.

1. Register of Members

This is one of the most important company registers every firm must maintain. It includes their names, addresses, occupation, and the number of shares they hold. Every company must maintain this register carefully because it shows who owns the company and the distribution of ownership.

2. Register of Directors and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP)

This registration keeps track of all the directors and KMPs in the company. It has their names, addresses, dates of appointment, and any shares they might own. As of March 31, 2026, the MCA has replaced the annual DIR-3 KYC requirement with a triennial (every 3 years) filing system.

3. Register of Charges

If the company borrows money and offers assets as security, this register records the details of those charges. It provides details about the lender, the amount borrowed, and the property that was pledged. It protects lenders by keeping the record transparent.

4. Register of Contracts or Arrangements in Which Directors Are Interested

This register keeps track of all the contracts in which leaders have a personal interest so that there are no conflicts of interest. It has information about the deal and what the director is doing.

5. Register of Debenture Holders

If the business gives out debentures, which are a type of loan certificate, this register keeps track of all the people who own them, listing their names and the amount of debentures they own.

6. Register of Deposits

When a business takes deposits from members or the public, this register lists the investors’ names, the amounts they put down, and when they are due to be paid back.

7. Register of Employee Stock Options (ESOP)

If the company offers stock options to employees as part of their compensation, this register tracks details of these options, including who received them and the terms.

8. Register of Loans, Guarantees, and Securities

This register keeps a record of given loans, guarantees provided, or securities offered by the company to other parties.

9. Register of Investments Not Held in Own Name

If investments are in the name of someone else (like a depository), this register can record such investments.

10. Register of Sweat Equity Shares

When a company issues shares to reward employees or directors for services, rather than money, this register tracks those shares.

11. Register of Renewed and Duplicate Share Certificates

If the share certificates are lost or damaged, the company issue new certificates. This register keeps track of all those replacements.

12. Minutes of Meetings

Though it is not a register in the traditional sense, maintaining proper minutes of board and shareholder meetings is mandatory. These minutes, which record decisions and discussions, are important legal documents.

13. Books of Account

This refers to the financial records of the company, which include ledgers and journals which track all money coming in and out. This is not enough, they must be maintained in software that records an unalterable history of every transaction. From April 2023, it has been mandatory for all companies using accounting software to have an Audit Trail (edit log) feature.

14. Register of Significant Beneficial Owners (SBO)

Companies must maintain a record of individuals who hold ultimate beneficial control (usually 10% or more) through complex layers of shareholding. Failing to maintain this is currently a high-alert area for RoC inspections.