DIR-11 (director's own filing of his resignation)
The optional filing by which a resigning director sends the Registrar a copy of his resignation and his reasons for it.
Optional filing by the resigning director
Counted from the director's own resignation
- MCA
- MCA event filings
- DIR-11
- 2026-09-01
DIR-11 is optional, and it is the director's filing rather than the company's. The proviso to section 168(1) has read 'a director may also forward' since 7 May 2018, when the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 replaced 'shall'. Where a director chooses to file, the period stated is 30 days from the resignation. The company's own duty is the separate DIR-12 intimation under rule 15.
Most published guidance still presents DIR-11 as compulsory. It was, until the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 substituted 'may' for 'shall' in the proviso to section 168(1) with effect from 7 May 2018, and rule 16 was amended to match. A director who does not file DIR-11 is not in default. The company is still bound to file DIR-12.
Deadlines counted from an event
Optional. Where the director chooses to file, the proviso to section 168(1) and rule 16 state 30 days from the resignation for forwarding a copy of the resignation with detailed reasons to the Registrar in Form DIR-11.
The rule
Optional. Where the director chooses to file, the proviso to section 168(1) and rule 16 state 30 days from the resignation for forwarding a copy of the resignation with detailed reasons to the Registrar in Form DIR-11.
Who must comply
- A director who has resigned and chooses to forward his resignation to the Registrar himself
- The filing is not compulsory: the proviso to section 168(1) reads 'may also forward' since 7 May 2018
- Under the proviso to rule 16, where the company has already filed DIR-12, a foreign director may authorise a practising chartered accountant, cost accountant or company secretary, or any other resident director, to sign and file DIR-11 on his behalf
Statutory basis
Before you file
- Send the written notice of resignation to the company.
- Prepare the detailed reasons for the resignation.
- Get the proof of despatch of the notice to the company.
- Get the director's own digital signature, or the authorisation under the proviso to rule 16 if the director is a foreign director and the company has already filed DIR-12.
How to file
- Log in to the MCA21 V3 portal.
- Open Form DIR-11.
- Enter the DIN and the date of resignation.
- Enter the detailed reasons for the resignation.
- Attach the notice of resignation sent to the company.
- Attach the proof of despatch.
- Sign the form with the director's digital signature, or with the signature of the person authorised under the proviso to rule 16.
- Pay the filing fee.
- Submit the form.
Recent changes affecting this
Common questions
Is DIR-11 compulsory?
No. The proviso to section 168(1) has said a director 'may also forward' a copy of his resignation since 7 May 2018. Guidance that still calls it mandatory is reading the pre-2018 text.
Why would a director file it anyway?
It puts his own account of the resignation, with reasons, on the Registrar's record rather than relying on the company's DIR-12. Where a resignation is contested, that is the point of the filing.
Can someone else sign DIR-11 for a foreign director?
Yes, in one case. Under the proviso to rule 16, where the company has already filed DIR-12, a foreign director may authorise a practising CA, CMA or CS, or any other resident director, in writing to sign and file it for him.