Company · Trouble
We got a notice from the ROC — how do we respond?
The short answer
ROC notices fall into different categories — show-cause, adjudication, or strike-off under the STK series — and each has a different response path. Adjudication penalty orders can be appealed to the Regional Director through ADJ under Section 454(5), within 60 days of the order under Section 454(6). Other responses may require GNL-1 for general applications or GNL-2 for document submissions within the prescribed timeline for the underlying order.
What gets filed with MCA
Filed as and when required — no fixed deadline. Applications for AGM extension must be filed before the AGM deadline.
Section 401, Companies Act 2013
Within the prescribed timeline for the specific underlying order or document (typically 30 days of the order).
Section 404, Companies Act 2013
Memorandum of appeal against an adjudication penalty order, to the RD
Section 454(5), Companies Act 2013
The sequence
- 1Identify the notice type — show-cause, adjudication penalty, or strike-off under the STK series
- 2Determine the applicable response form: GNL-1 for general applications, GNL-2 for document submissions, or ADJ for adjudication appeals
- 3File GNL-1 before the AGM deadline if applying for an AGM extension under Section 401
- 4Submit GNL-2 within the prescribed timeline for the specific underlying order — typically 30 days of the order under Section 404
- 5File ADJ memorandum of appeal to the Regional Director within 60 days of an adjudication penalty order under Section 454(6)
Do it with us — or check it yourself first
Questions founders actually ask
How do we respond to an adjudication penalty notice?
File the ADJ memorandum of appeal against the adjudication penalty order to the Regional Director under Section 454(5). The appeal window is 60 days from the order under Section 454(6).
What is the difference between GNL-1 and GNL-2?
GNL-1 is a general application to the Central Government under Section 401 — filed as and when required, with AGM extension applications filed before the AGM deadline. GNL-2 submits documents to the Central Government under Section 404, within the prescribed timeline for the specific order — typically 30 days.
How do we handle a strike-off notice?
Strike-off notices fall under the STK series and have a different response path from show-cause or adjudication notices. Triage the notice type first before choosing GNL-1, GNL-2, or ADJ.
Last verified 2026-08-24 against MCA V3 records and ICSI reference material. Form-level deadlines and penalties live on the linked form pages and update there.