FY 2024-25 MCA V3 Portal Update: New AOC-4 and MGT-7

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) recently issued an important update to the V3 portal for the financial year 2024-25. Companies submitting Form AOC-4 and Form MGT-7 or MGT-7A have to comply with updated guidelines, which include sending images of their registered office and ensuring proper director identity through digital signatures.

If your company is going to file its annual report this year, here’s what you should know.

-MCA released new versions of the AOC-4 and MGT-7/MGT-7A forms via the V3 portal.
-The update is applicable to all companies who file after July 14, 2025, for the financial year 2024-25.
-Companies must now provide images of their registered offices.
-The MCA requires that at least one director appear in the photographs.
-The company’s display board must comply with Section 12 criteria, which include English and regional language (if appropriate).
-The director in the photo must digitally sign the document with a valid DSC.

Why Has MCA Introduced These New Filing Rules?

The intention of this update is to:

Ensure that the registered office address given in MCA records is legitimate.

Prevent the use of fake addresses and shell company registrations.

Improve director accountability with visible identification.

Improve the transparency and traceability of the yearly ROC filing for FY 2024-25.

What New Documents Are Required for AOC-4 and MGT-7 Filing?

The new format of MGT-7 and MGT-7A forms requires specific supporting documents:

Photographs of the Registered Office
You must submit the following:

A clear outside view showing the building name or society/complex name An inside view of the office or working space with at least one director present in the frame

A photo of the main gate or entrance with a display board that shows:

Name of the company
Corporate Identification Number (CIN)
Contact number and email ID
Website (if available)
The display board must follow Section 12 of the Companies Act, 2013, and the information must be displayed in both English and the local language (such as Gujarati) where applicable.

Director’s Digital Signature
The director who appears in the photograph must digitally sign the form using their registered DSC. The DSC must be valid and mapped to the same director in the MCA database.
Annexures and Linked Details In addition to photos, companies are required to submit supporting annexures such as board reports, auditor’s reports, shareholder lists, and meeting records through linked Excel templates, especially in MGT-7 and MGT-7A.

Note: While GPS-tagged metadata was speculated earlier, the official MCA update does not explicitly mandate GPS coordinates or photo metadata. Companies should ensure location alignment through visual clarity and accurate office address.

How Can Companies Prepare for MCA V3 Portal Filing?

Here is a simple checklist to stay prepared:

Confirm the registered office signage includes both English and local language (if applicable) Take clear photographs with a good-resolution camera or phone
Ensure one eligible director is present during the photo session Keep the director’s DSC updated and mapped correctly in MCA records
Cross-check that the office location matches exactly with the MCA database
Prepare all required documents in Excel or PDF as per the MCA templates

Conclusion

The updated AOC-4 and MGT-7 filing rules under the MCA V3 portal bring more transparency, but also add new documentary requirements. While the compliance steps have increased, they aim to prevent fraudulent filings and improve the authenticity of MCA records. Start early, get your office and display board ready, and make sure your director is part of the process. This preparation will help you file without errors or last-minute surprises.