ICAI’s Updated UDIN Framework on DigiCA: Who Can Login, Generate, Verify and Validate

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has issued an addendum to the 5th Edition of its FAQs on Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) following the migration of the UDIN Portal to the ICAI DigiCA Platform and recent Council decisions. The addendum substantially restructures how members access the portal, generate UDINs, and how authorities verify and validate them, especially for tax audit reports.

This write-up recasts the revised FAQs into a structured, practitioner-focused guide, with emphasis on:

  • Access control and login norms
  • Step-wise UDIN generation (single and bulk)
  • Enhanced verification facilities for third parties
  • Mandatory validations for tax audits and certificates
  • Reasons for UDIN invalidation at the e-filing portal
  • New questions on preceding year’s audit details

1. Access to the UDIN Portal on DigiCA

1.1 Who is permitted to login?

Under the new system, UDIN portal access has been tightly aligned with ICAI’s Self Service Portal (SSP):

  • Only practicing Chartered Accountants holding a full-time Certificate of Practice (CoP) can log in to the UDIN module for generating UDINs, and they must use the same SSP credentials.
  • Members who had generated UDINs earlier but currently do not hold a full-time CoP are allowed view-only access. They can log in via SSP credentials and access the “List UDIN” section to see UDINs generated in the past.
  • There is no facility for “First Time Registration for Members” on the UDIN portal anymore – that feature stands discontinued.

1.2 Can non-members or firms have UDIN login IDs?

The access policy is now explicitly restricted:

  • No non-CA is allowed to register or log in on the UDIN portal under any circumstances.
  • Firms (FRN-wise) cannot register or log in as separate entities.
  • Only individual ICAI members with a full-time CoP can access UDIN generation; members without an active full-time CoP are restricted to view earlier UDINs only.

2. Login and Password Management on UDIN Portal

2.1 Login steps using SSP credentials

Since the UDIN module is integrated with ICAI DigiCA and SSP, members must use their SSP login details. The login procedure is:

  1. Click the “Login” button on the top-right corner of the UDIN page.
  2. Enter Username in the format: <MRN>@org (the same format used on the SSP).
  3. Enter the SSP password.
  4. Input the Captcha as displayed. Refresh if unreadable.
  5. Click “Send OTP”.
  6. An OTP will be delivered to the registered mobile number and email ID.
  7. On successful OTP confirmation, the Dashboard will be shown by default.

Note: There is no separate UDIN password – all authentication is routed through SSP credentials and OTP-based validation.

2.2 Changing or resetting password

Since the UDIN portal uses SSP credentials:

  • For changing the password, the member must visit the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP) and change the password there. The same updated password will apply to UDIN login.
  • In case of a forgotten password:
    • Click on “Forgot Password” on the UDIN login screen.
    • A pop-up will direct the member to the ICAI SSP to reset/update the password.
    • Follow the standard Forgot Password flow on SSP.
    • After reset, the new SSP password will work for the UDIN portal as well.

3. Generating UDIN on the New Platform

3.1 Standard procedure to generate a UDIN

To create a UDIN, the member must log in with SSP credentials and then:

  1. Access the “Generate UDIN” page.
  2. The system will auto-populate basic member details such as:
    • Name
    • Membership Registration Number (MRN)
    • Email ID
    • PAN Number of the member
    • Pincode
  3. Select the FRN (Firm Registration Number) of the firm on whose behalf the assignment is undertaken.
    • If the assignment is done in an individual capacity, the member should select/mention “NA / Not Applicable / Individual Capacity” in place of FRN.
  4. Choose the appropriate “Document type” from the available options.
  5. Based on the category selected, fill in:
    • Type of Certificates / Particulars of Section / Form under which Report is issued / Type of Audit / Under Act / Law / Statute / Regulation, etc.
  6. Enter the “Date of Signing of Document”, i.e., the date on which the document was signed/certified.
  7. Fill in the key fields as required for that document type.
  8. In “Document Description”, provide brief particulars (between 15 to 250 characters) describing the document.
  9. Click “Send OTP” to initiate OTP-based confirmation.
    • An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number and email of the member.
    • The OTP is valid for 5 minutes and must be entered within 90 seconds.