Company · Wind-down
We want to pause the company, not kill it — is 'dormant' worth it?
The short answer
If you want to pause operations without killing the company, dormant status under Section 455 is the structured option. File MSC-1 with the ROC to obtain dormant-company status — compliance drops to an annual MSC-3 return of financial position and retaining minimum directors. When you are ready to trade again, MSC-4 brings the company back to active status. This is meaningfully different from strike-off, which ends the company's existence.
What gets filed with MCA
Application to the ROC for dormant-company status
Section 455, Companies Act 2013
Dormant company's annual return of financial position
Rule 7, Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014
Application to return to active status
Rule 8, Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014
The sequence
- 1Confirm the company meets dormant-company eligibility under Section 455
- 2Pass board resolution and file MSC-1 with the ROC
- 3File MSC-3 annually as the dormant company's return of financial position
- 4Retain the minimum number of directors throughout the dormant period
- 5When ready to resume, file MSC-4 to return to active status
Do it with us — or check it yourself first
Questions founders actually ask
What compliance does a dormant company still owe?
A dormant company files MSC-3 annually as its return of financial position under Rule 7 of the Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014. It must also retain the minimum number of directors.
How do we start operating again after going dormant?
File MSC-4 under Rule 8 of the Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014. This is the application to return the company to active status with the ROC.
Is dormant status better than letting the company get struck off?
Dormant status preserves the legal entity with drastically reduced compliance and a clear revival path through MSC-4. Strike-off removes the company from the register — a very different outcome if you intend to use the entity again.
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.