Authentication of documents, proceedings and contracts
Section 21 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with authentication of documents, proceedings and contracts. Save as otherwise provided in this Act, (a) a document or proceeding requiring authentication by a company; The Act came into force on 01 Apr 2014.
Save as otherwise provided in this Act,
(a) a document or proceeding requiring authentication by a company; or
(b) contracts made by or on behalf of a company,
may be signed by any key managerial personnel or 1[an officer or employee of the company] duly authorised by the Board in this behalf.
Section 21, The Companies Act, 2013 (Act 18 of 2013).
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… As per AnnexureB 03.03.2009 Name of the Company changed from Basanti Cotton Mills Pvt. Ltd. to Basanti Cotton Mills (1998) Pvt. Ltd. under Section 21 of the Companies Act 1956. As per AnnexureC 10.10.2008 DIN No.3 in respect of Nirendranath Kar filed under MCA online filing system As per AnnexureD 17.11.2008 One Form NO. 18 filed under the signature of Narendranath Kar showing the change of Registered Office of the company from B.T. Road …
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… In this context, learned senior counsel Sri.Ganesh submitted that the appeal is not properly filed inasmuch as the affidavit verifying the contents of memorandum of appeal by Sri.P.Sadanand who is stated to be a "volunteer of the appellant" is something which is unknown in law. It was contended that under Section 21 of the Companies Act, 2013, only am authorised signatory of the company who is authorised by a Resolution of the Board can sign or be authorised to sign and verify the proceedings including filing of the pleadings, etc., before the Court of law. That in the instant case, as already submitted there are no Board of …
Made under this section, and citing it
3 instruments state that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
Another 3 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 21
What does Section 21 of the Companies Act deal with?
Section 21 of the Companies Act is headed "Authentication of documents, proceedings and contracts". Save as otherwise provided in this Act, (a) a document or proceeding requiring authentication by a company;
How do I find court cases under Section 21 of the Companies Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Companies Act 21, section 21 Companies Act, section 21 of the Companies Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 21 of the Companies Act, and has it changed?
The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 3: most recently S.O. 324(E)_S.O. 324(E)-Commencement Notification dt 22.01.2021 (2021), then commencement notification dt 21.12.2020 (2020), and 1 more.
When did Section 21 of the Companies Act come into force?
Section 21 of the Companies Act, cited as Companies Act 21, came into force on 01 Apr 2014, having been enacted on 29 Aug 2013. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions5089 words
- 143. Powers and duties of auditors and auditing standards1867 words
- 230. Power to compromise or make arrangements with creditors and members1432 words
- 232. Merger and amalgamation of companies1416 words
- 149. Company to have Board of Directors1403 words
- 217. Procedure, powers, etc., of inspectors1390 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.