ICSI launches Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN)

In an attempt to pursue heightened sense of self-governance and strengthen the practising side of the profession of Company Secretaries, The Institute of Company Secretaries of India has rolled out a unique initiative in the form of Unique Document Identification Number or UDIN.

Aimed at strengthening the framework of good governance UDIN shall serve the following purposes simultaneously:

·        provide ease of maintaining Register of Attestation/ Certification services

·        prevent counterfeiting of various attestations/ certifications

·        ensure compliance w.r.t ceilings on the number of certifications / attestations

·        enable stakeholders & regulators to verify genuinity of documents signed or certified by Company Secretaries in Practice,.

Emphasizing on the need of UDIN, CS Ranjeet Pandey, President, ICSI said, “Under the mechanism, an alpha numeric number shall be generated for the identification of every document attested by Practising Company Secretaries which shall definitely act as a trust enhancer by facilitating verification that the document is genuinely signed or certified by a Company Secretary in Practice.”

CS Ashish Garg, Vice President ICSI said that The ICSI UDIN will be mandatory for every document except an e-form, signed or certified by a CS with effect from 1st October, 2019.