ICSI Urges Kerala Government to Authorize Practising Company Secretaries as Attestation Officers on Egroops Platform

The digital transformation of administrative and regulatory processes has significantly streamlined business operations across India. In the state of Kerala, the Egroops portal stands as a prime example of this digital shift, offering a centralized online mechanism for the registration and management of Partnership Firms and Societies. However, a recent regulatory dialogue has highlighted a notable omission in the platform's operational framework regarding authorized professionals.

On September 23, 2026, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) submitted a formal representation to the Registrar of Firms, Kerala. The statutory body strongly advocated for the integration of Practising Company Secretaries into the approved list of Attestation Officers on the state's Egroops portal. This move aims to bridge the existing gap in professional representation and offer enhanced facilitation for any assessee or business entity seeking to register a partnership firm in the state.

Understanding the Egroops Portal Framework

The Government of Kerala introduced the Egroops portal to foster digital governance, minimize bureaucratic delays, and promote the ease of doing business. Administered under the jurisdiction of the Inspector General of Registration, the platform allows citizens and entrepreneurs to electronically submit documents, track application statuses, and obtain registration certificates for their business entities.

The Role of Attestation Officers

A critical step in the online registration of a partnership firm is the verification and attestation of documents. To ensure the authenticity of the submitted records and to prevent fraudulent registrations, the Egroops system mandates that specific qualified professionals attest the application.

Currently, the portal's digital architecture permits only a restricted group of professionals to serve as Attestation Officers. These include:

  • Chartered Accountants
  • Advocates
  • Gazetted Officers
  • Income Tax Practitioners