Indian Company Master Data Made Simple

27+ lakh companies in our registry

MCA Company Master Data: How to Access & Use It

Written by Timo Vikson • Published on 28 Apr 2025 • Read time minutes

The MCA, or the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is the main authority and provides valuable information about companies registered in India. One of its most valuable tools is the MCA Master Data. This is a large database that holds important details about all companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPS) registered in India. If you want to find out about a company’s registration, directors, financials, or current status, MCA Master Data is the place to look. Whether you’re a business owner, investor, or professional, accessing this data can help you verify company details, review financial performance, or conduct market research or competitor analysis. 

What is MCA Master Data?

The MCA Master Data is a central database that holds important information about companies and LLPs in India. This data comes from the official records kept by the MCA and is updated regularly to keep it accurate. It includes details like the Company master data, legal status, financial filings, list of directors, and more. It’s a helpful tool for anyone who wants to check if a business is genuine, do background checks, or understand a business’s structure.

Some key details you can find in the MCA Master Data include:

  • Company Name and CIN (Corporate Identification Number)
  • Company Status (Active, Inactive, Struck Off etc)
  • Directors’ Information (Names and details)
  • Company Registration Date
  • Paid-Up Capital
  • Registered Office Address
  • Documents Filed (Including Financial Statements)
  • Charges and Liabilities

This data helps businesses, investors, and legal professionals make informed decisions based on reliable information.

Why Does MCA Master Data Matter?

MCA Master Data is important for several reasons:

  1. Due Diligence
    Business investors want to make sure the companies they deal with are legal and stable before entering into any business partnership. MCA Master Data helps by giving access to important company details that users can check, like registration status, list of directors, financial health, and more.
  2. Competitor Research
    The MCA corporate database is a valuable source of information for business owners, researchers, and analysts who want to study the competitive environment in India. This database helps keep track of industry trends and market players and enables data collection for specific companies to assist in strategic decisions.
  3. Legal Verification
    Compliance with business laws in India also means that companies must keep their records updated with the MCA. Lawyers can use the MCA Master Data to check if a company is following the rules and make sure it’s in good standing. This helps avoid any legal problems in the future.
  4. Startup Insights
    For people in the start-up world, using MCA Master Data is important to check the background of potential partners, investors, and competitors. It helps confirm the legal status of any start-up before moving forward.

How to Access MCA Master Data

Accessing MCA Master Data is simple and can be done online. Here’s how you can get started:

Step 1: Visit the MCA Website

Go to the official MCA portal: mca.gov.in

MCA Website

Step 2: Navigate to MCA Services

Click on MCA Services in the top menu. Under this section, go to ‘Master Data’.

Step 3: Choose the Search Option

Select Master Data Services V3’. You will be prompted to enter either:

  • Company/LLP Name
  • Corporate Identification Number (CIN)
MCA Services

Step 4: Enter Company Details

Input the company name or CIN, and the system will auto-suggest matching records. Choose the appropriate one and click ‘Submit’.

Company CIN/FCRN or Name

Step 5: View the Company Profile

Once the company is selected, you’ll be able to view the complete profile, including:

  • Legal status (Active/Inactive)
  • ROC (Registrar of Companies) location
  • Incorporation date
  • Paid-up capital
  • Names and details of directors
  • Last annual general meeting (AGM) date

Additional Features of MCA Master Data

Although the basic search functionalities are based on the MCA portal’s details regarding companies, these other advanced options are specially designed for users who want deeper insights into the organisation. Some of such features include the following:

  • Document Downloads: This allows one to purchase crucial documents, including financial statements, annual reports, and details about charges.
  • Charges and Liabilities: Liabilities on charges and liabilities registered by a company in the MCA.
  • Director Details: MCA Master Data has some of the directors associated with an enterprise, which enables keeping track of the director’s existence across other businesses.

Benefits Of Accessing MCA Master Data On the CMD Register Platform

The CMD Register platform offers the following benefits related to corporate records access in India:

  • Accountability: All legal and financial information is made public, encouraging responsible business behaviour.
  • Quick: No need to visit physically or wait for processing delays; you can access information within minutes.
  • Free of Cost: Almost all elementary details are easily free, increasing the availability of business knowledge in India. No need to resolve CAPTCHAs.
  • Regulatory compliance: It allows a company to stay compliant with Indian business laws.
CMD Platform

FAQs

  1. Is MCA Master Data free to access?
    Yes, basic company information is free. However, detailed documents like financials may require payment.
  2. Can I access MCA Master Data without CIN?
    Yes, you can search by company name on both MCA.gov.in and mcamasterdata.com.
  3. What is the best alternative to the MCA portal?
    The official MCA portal is reliable but not always user-friendly. CMD Register offers a fast, clean interface with easier access to MCA Master Data—without the need to log in or deal with CAPTCHAs repeatedly.
  4. Why can’t I see a company’s data on MCA?
    It could be due to incorrect details, temporary server issues, or the company being struck off. Try rechecking the details or using CMD Register, which often has more intuitive search filters.
  5. Is MCA Master Data reliable?
    Yes, official government data is updated regularly as per company filings.

Conclusion

MCA Master Data is a powerful, easy-to-access resource for anyone needing reliable information about Indian companies. Whether you’re a startup founder verifying a partner, an investor doing due diligence, or a legal professional checking compliance, this tool offers quick, government-backed insights. From registration details to financial filings and director profiles, the data is all in one place—free and accessible through the MCA portal or simplified platforms like CMD Register. By understanding how to access and use MCA Master Data effectively, you can make more informed business decisions with confidence.

About the author

Timo Vikson is an Estonian-Indian investor and entrepreneur, notably serving as the Co-Founder of LEI Register - biggest LEI (legal entity identifier) provider globally and in India. He is now the head of CMD Register, an Indian business intelligence and data analytics organization that provides information on business activities in India.

With experience across multiple industries, Vikson is committed to improving the Indian business landscape through transparency, innovation, and data-driven solutions.