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The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has announced a significant update to the Registrar of Companies (RoC) jurisdictions, set to take effect on February 16, 2026. This change involves a reorganization of RoC offices, particularly impacting the Northern Region of India. For businesses, promoters, and company secretaries, understanding these changes is crucial to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and smooth company operations.

This blog post explains the key details of the RoC jurisdictional shift, breaks down the new regional structure, discusses the impact on companies in affected states, and outlines the action steps promoters need to take.

Registrar of Companies office building in Delhi, showing the main entrance and signage

Registrar of Companies office in Delhi, a key location affected by the jurisdictional changes

The News: Deferment of New RoC Jurisdictions to February 16, 2026

Originally planned for an earlier date, the MCA has deferred the implementation of the new RoC jurisdictional map to February 16, 2026. This decision allows businesses and regulatory bodies additional time to prepare for the transition.

The reorganization aims to improve the efficiency of company registrations and filings by redistributing workload among RoC offices. It also reflects the growing number of companies and the need for more localized regulatory oversight.

The key change involves splitting the Northern Region into two distinct RoC jurisdictions:

• RD (NR-I) in Delhi

• RD (NR-II) in Chandigarh

  
  

This split will affect companies registered in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, as their filings and registrations will now be processed by different RoC offices depending on their location.

Regional Breakdown: The Split of the Northern Region

Before the change, the Northern Region was managed under a single RoC jurisdiction. The new structure divides this region into two parts to better serve the increasing volume of company-related activities.

RD (NR-I) – Delhi

This office will continue to serve companies registered in Delhi. It will handle all new company registrations, statutory filings, and compliance matters for businesses located within the National Capital Territory.

RD (NR-II) – Chandigarh

The new RD (NR-II) office in Chandigarh will take over jurisdiction for companies registered in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This means that companies in these states will no longer file their documents with the Delhi RoC but will instead interact with the Chandigarh office.

This division aims to reduce the burden on the Delhi RoC and provide more focused support to companies in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Impact on Companies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana

The jurisdictional shift will have several practical effects on companies operating in these states:

• New Company Registrations

Businesses incorporating after February 16, 2026, must file their registration applications with the correct RoC office based on their registered address. For example, a new company in Noida (Uttar Pradesh) will now register with the Chandigarh RoC instead of Delhi.

• Statutory Filings

Annual returns, financial statements, and other mandatory filings must be submitted to the appropriate RoC office. Companies that fail to update their jurisdiction risk delays or rejection of filings.

• Compliance and Communication

Companies will need to update their records and ensure that all correspondence with the MCA reflects the new jurisdiction. This includes updating digital signatures and authorized signatories if necessary.

• Legal and Procedural Adjustments

Legal notices, inspections, and other regulatory actions will be conducted by the new RoC offices. Companies should be aware of the new points of contact and office locations.

Example Scenario

A company registered in Gurgaon, Haryana, currently files all documents with the Delhi RoC. After February 16, 2026, this company must file with the Chandigarh RoC. Failure to do so could lead to non-compliance penalties or delays in processing.

Action Items for Promoters and Company Secretaries

To ensure a smooth transition and avoid compliance issues, promoters and company secretaries should take the following steps:

• Verify Jurisdiction on the MCA Portal

Check the MCA website to confirm the correct RoC office assigned to your company’s registered address. The portal will reflect the updated jurisdiction after the change date.

• Update Company Records

Ensure that all company documents, including the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA), reflect the correct jurisdiction if required.

• Communicate with Stakeholders

Inform auditors, legal advisors, and other stakeholders about the jurisdictional change to avoid confusion during filings.

• Prepare for New Filing Procedures

Familiarize yourself with the contact details, office hours, and procedural requirements of the new RoC office.

• Monitor MCA Notifications

Stay updated with any further announcements or clarifications from the MCA regarding the jurisdictional changes.

Practical Tips for Compliance

• Use the MCA portal’s search feature to enter your company’s CIN (Corporate Identification Number) and verify the assigned RoC.

• If your company address straddles jurisdictional boundaries, consult a legal expert to determine the correct RoC.

• Maintain a checklist of all statutory filings and deadlines to ensure timely submissions to the new RoC.

• Keep digital copies of all filings and acknowledgments for future reference.