APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR

To appoint a director, the person proposing to become a Director must be obtained  a digital signature certificate (DSC) and director identification number (DIN) and it can be obtained by any person who is  the age of 18 years . The nationality or residency status of the DIN applicant does not matters . The Indian Nationals, Non-Resident Indians and Foreign Nationals can be obtained the  DIN  appointed as Director of a company in India.

MEANING OF DIRECTOR IN PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

Companies Act, 2013 defines the term “Director” as someone appointment to the Board of a company. The Board of Directors means a group of those individuals elected by the shareholders of a company to manage the current affairs in the company. In another definition of a Director is someone who administers, controls or directs something, especially a member of a commercial company; one who supervises, controls or manages; a person elected by the shareholders of a company to direct company’s policies; person appointed or elected according to the law which authorized to manage and direct the current affairs in a company.

BECOMING DIRECTOR IN PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

Any person to become a Director in Private Limited Company and its mandatory to have  Director Identification Number (DIN Number)  and it  can be obtained for any person over the age of 18 years before applying   the DIN .

TYPES OF DIRECTOR IN THE COMPANY

The following  types of Director in Company:

Managing Director

A “Managing Director” means a Director who, by virtue of Articles of Association of a Company or an agreement with the company or a resolution passed in its general meeting, or by its Board of Directors, is entrusted with substantial powers of management of affairs of the company.

Whole-time Director or Executive Director

An Executive Director or whole-time Director is someone in full-time employment of the company.

Ordinary Director

An “Ordinary Director” means a simple Director who attends the Board meetings of a company and participate in the matters put before the Board of Directors. These Directors are neither whole-time Directors or Managing Directors.

Additional Director

An Additional Director is someone appointed by the Board of Directors between two annual general meetings subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association of a Company. Additional Directors shall hold office only up to the date of the next annual general meeting of the Company. Number of Directors and additional Directors of a company together shall not exceed the maximum strength fixed for the Board of Directors by the Articles of Association.

Alternate Director

Alternate Director is someone appointed by the Board of Directors in a general meeting to act as a Director  which known  “original director” during his absence for a period of not less than three months from India. Generally, alternate Directors are appointed for a person who is Non-Resident Indian (NRI) or for foreign collaborators of a company.

Professional Director

Any Director possessing professional qualifications and do not have any pecuniary interest in the company are called Professional Directors. In large companies, Professionals are sometimes appointment to the Board to utilize their expertise in the management of the Company.

Nominee Director

Banks and Private Equity investors who grant debt or equity assistance to a company generally impose a condition as to appointment of their representative on the Board of the concerned Company. These nominated persons are called as nominee Director.

In a One Person Company (OPC), a nominee Director is someone nominated by the sole Director of the One Person Company to take over affairs of the OPC in case of death or incapacitation of sole Director.

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM NUMBER OF DIRECTORS IN PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

Only an Individual (living person) can be appointed as a Director in a Company. A  business entity cannot be appointed as a Director in a Company. A company can have a maximum of fifteen Directors – it can be increased further by passing a special resolution.

Minimum Number of Director in Company are as follows:

• Private Limited Company – Minimum two Directors in case of Private Limited Company
• Limited Company – Minimum three Directors in case of Limited Company.
• One Person Company – Minimum one Director in case of One Person Company.

DIRECTOR IN PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY – RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

There is nothing in the Companies Act, 2013 that prohibits the appointment of any person who is a foreigner or NRI as a Director of a Company. However, Section 149(3) provides that every company shall have at least one Director who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than one hundred and eighty-two days in the previous calendar year.

WOMEN DIRECTOR REQUIREMENT IN COMPANY

Listed companies and limited companies having a paid-up share capital of Rs.100 crore rupees or more or turnover of Rs.300 crores or more are required to appoint at least one woman Director. There is no women Director requirement for a private limited company.