For most companies with a financial year ending 31 March, the Companies Act, 2013 requires the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for FY 2025-26 to be held by 30 September 2026. This is one of the busiest compliance deadlines of the year, since AGM completion sets off a chain of further filings.
Who Needs to Comply
The 30 September deadline applies to every company other than a One Person Company, and other than a company holding its very first AGM, which instead gets nine months from the end of the first financial year rather than the usual six. If your company was incorporated during FY 2025-26 and this is your first AGM, a different timeline may apply, so check with us to confirm your specific due date.
Penalty for Missing the AGM
Failing to hold the AGM on time is a default under Section 99 of the Companies Act, attracting a penalty of up to ₹1,00,000 on the company, with a further ₹5,000 for each day the default continues. Officers in default face similar exposure. This is a meaningful and entirely avoidable cost with timely planning.
What Comes Right After the AGM
Holding the AGM is only the first step. Once concluded, companies must file their adopted financial statements, Auditor’s Report, and Directors’ Report in Form AOC-4 within 30 days, which works out to on or before 30 October 2026 for companies holding the AGM on the last permissible date. The annual return in Form MGT-7 (or MGT-7A for small companies and OPCs) is then due within 60 days of the AGM, landing around 29 November 2026 for a 30 September AGM.
Penalties for Missing These Follow-On Filings
Late filing of AOC-4 attracts a penalty of ₹10,000 plus ₹100 per day of default, capped at ₹2,00,000 for the company and ₹50,000 for the officer in default. MGT-7 delays attract a penalty of ₹100 per day of default, which can add up quickly if left unresolved.
A Practical Checklist Before 30 September
Confirm your audited financial statements are finalised and adopted, ensure the Auditor’s Report is on file, issue AGM notices with the statutorily required clear days’ notice, and secure your Board’s approval to convene the meeting through the permitted mode. Companies running close to the deadline should prioritise scheduling the meeting itself first, since every follow-on filing clock starts only once the AGM has actually been held.
This post is for general informational purposes and does not constitute tax advice. Please consult us directly for guidance specific to your situation.