The Companies Act, 2013

In one line

What this Act says

The full life-cycle law for Indian companies — incorporation, share capital, directors, audit, CSR, mergers, oppression / mismanagement and winding up.

• Fraud (involving public interest / amount ≥ ₹10 lakh or 1% of turnover)

  §447

  Imprisonment 6 months – 10 years + fine = amount of fraud (up to 3×).

• False statement in any return / report / certificate

  §448

  Fraud penalties under §447.

• Failure to file annual return / financial statement

  §92(5), §137(3)

  Company: fine ₹10,000 + ₹100/day (max ₹2 lakh); officer in default: fine ₹10,000 + ₹100/day (max ₹50,000).

• Contravention with no specific penalty

  §450

  Fine up to ₹10,000 + ₹1,000/day (max ₹2 lakh for company / ₹50,000 for officer).

• Director or KMP making default in CSR

  §135(7)

  Penalty up to ₹2 lakh on company + ₹50,000 on officer (CSR shifted from criminal to civil by 2020 amendment).

Headline offences only — not exhaustive. For the full text and every section, open the source PDF or the official link below.

Maximum punishments as prescribed by the Act. Actual sentencing depends on facts, prior convictions and judicial discretion.

Sources

Read the Act yourself

We always show you the local source PDF and at least one verifiable online reference, so you can check anything we say.