Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN)
All about UDIN (Unique Document Identification number)
In this post, we will be discussing UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number). Where we will take a close look at each section in detail:
What is UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number)?
It’s a unique number given through the UDIN portal for each certificate or document signed by a Chartered Accountant who is registered on the portal.
UDIN Format
UDIN is a 15-digit number and it’s made like this:
- First 6 digits – Your CA Membership Number
- Next 6 digits – Date when the certificate is issued (in DDMMYY format)
- Last 3 digits – Serial number of the document (as given by the UDIN portal)
So, the format looks like this:
XXXXXX/DDMMYY/XXX
(Membership No. / Date / Serial No.)
Who can register on UDIN Portal?
The only individuals who are Practicing Cost Accountants/CMAs who hold a full-time Certificate of Practice (COP) can only register on the UDIN portal to generate their UDINs.
How to Register on the UDIN portal?
Click on Register OR First Time Registration on UDIN:
1: Go to the following website: link
2. Select the first-time user’s option, then input your six-digit membership number, birth date, and enrollment date and click “Send OTP”
3. Enter the OTP that was sent to the email address and mobile number you have registered with ICAI and Click “Continue“
How to generate UDIN for a document?
After registration on the UDIN portal, follow the actions below:
1.Login
Go to https://udin.icai.org/?mode=myicai and log in using the credentials sent to your registered email ID.
2.Click on ‘Generate UDIN’
Once logged in, click on the option ‘Generate UDIN’.
3.Fill in the Required Details
You’ll need to enter details like:
- Membership Number
- Name
- Email ID
- Firm Registration Number
- Firm Name
- Client Reference Code/Number
- Document Description
- Date of Document
- Keywords and their values
For keywords, give at least 3 (maximum 5) important figures/terms from the document. For example, if you’re certifying turnover, one keyword can be ‘Turnover’ with its amount.
4.Enter OTP
You will get an OTP on your registered mobile number and email. Enter it to proceed. A preview of your details will appear “check everything”. If anything is wrong, click ‘Back’ and correct it. Otherwise, click ‘Submit’.
5.UDIN is Generated
Once submitted, your UDIN is ready. You can now write it on the document using a pen or add it as a watermark.
UDIN Verification
UDIN is a step taken by ICAI to stop misuse of CA signatures by people who are not real Chartered Accountants. Many times, such fake documents are used to mislead authorities.
With the help of UDIN, authorities like banks, RBI, Income Tax Dept, etc. can easily check whether a document signed by a CA is genuine or not. Only CAs can generate a UDIN through the official portal. So, using that UDIN, the authority can verify the document.
Even if the UDIN is not known, the document can still be searched on the portal using details like Firm Registration Number (FRN), Client Code, Date of Document, etc.
Verification of Documents using UDIN
Once a UDIN is generated for a document, you can’t make any changes to the details linked to it. But if the document needs to be corrected or cancelled later, you can revoke the UDIN. Just go to the UDIN portal, search for the document, and click on ‘Revoke’. You’ll need to give a reason for doing so. Even after revocation, the UDIN will still show up on the portal, but it will be marked as ‘Revoked’.
Benefits of UDIN
- Every document signed by a CA gets a unique identity through UDIN.
- It’s like a seal that confirms the CA is genuine.
- Anyone – regulators or others – can check the document online, anytime, from anywhere.
- If the CA cancels the UDIN later, the verifier gets an alert.
Consequences of not generating a UDIN
As per the ICAI Council’s decision, it’s compulsory to generate a UDIN for certain certificates or documents. If a CA fails to do this, it may be treated as a breach of the Council’s direction. Not following this rule can also lead to disciplinary action under Part II of the Second Schedule of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
FAQs on Unique Document Identification Number
There is no need for fresh registration for every financial year.
You might have attempted to register before and failed. To reset your password, please click the Forgot Password button.
To maintain security and privacy, the system generates passwords using encryption. Members are always free to change their passwords.
These are the reasons for this error.
The information entered is incorrect.
Members are advised to enter the date of enrollment NOT date of COP
Please click on “What is date of enrolment” link on the registration page to know where to look for your date of enrolment.
Only full-time practicing members can register on UDIN Portal.
If you are not in full practice, you shall not be able to register. You must have paid all your dues.
We have come to the end of UDIN and its other information. Share your views and opinions with us in the comment section below.
