MCA Broadens Regional Directors' Framework Under Companies Act Section 458
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has undertaken a significant restructuring of its regional administrative setup by issuing Notification S.O. 708(E) on 10 February 2026. This notification introduces amendments to the original notification released on 18 December 2018 under the provisions of Section 458 of the Companies Act, 2013. The primary objective of this amendment is to revise and expand the geographical presence of Regional Directors across various locations in India.
Background of the Amendment
The original notification dated 18 December 2018, which was issued under Section 458 of the Companies Act, 2013, designated Regional Directors at seven specific locations across the country. These locations included Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Shillong. The framework established through that notification has now been superseded by the recent amendment to better align with the administrative requirements and geographical necessities of corporate governance in India.
Details of the Revised Notification
Through the latest amendment notified as S.O. 708(E), the Central Government has exercised its powers under Section 458 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) to modify the earlier administrative structure. The amendment specifically targets the geographical distribution of Regional Directors by substituting the previously mentioned seven locations with a more comprehensive list of ten locations.
New List of Regional Director Locations
The revised notification replaces the earlier designation of Regional Directors at seven locations with Regional Directors positioned at the following ten locations:
- Ahmedabad
- Bangalore
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Guwahati
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- Navi Mumbai
- New Delhi
This expansion reflects the Ministry's strategic approach to enhance administrative reach and improve regulatory oversight across different regions of the country.
Comparative Analysis of the Changes
Cities Retained from Original List
Several cities from the original notification dated 18 December 2018 have been retained in the amended list, demonstrating continuity in administrative presence at these strategic locations:
- Ahmedabad: Continues to serve as a Regional Director location, maintaining its importance as a commercial hub in Gujarat
- Chennai: Retained as a crucial administrative center for the southern region
- Hyderabad: Maintains its position as a key Regional Director location for Telangana and surrounding areas
- Kolkata: Continues to function as an important regional administrative center for eastern India
- Mumbai: Remains a critical Regional Director location given its status as India's financial capital
- New Delhi: Retains its position as a strategic administrative center in the national capital region
New Additions to the Regional Network
The amendment introduces four new locations to the Regional Director framework:
Bangalore: The addition of Bangalore (Bengaluru) recognizes the city's emergence as a major hub for corporate activity, particularly in the technology and startup sectors. This inclusion will facilitate better regulatory oversight of the numerous companies registered and operating in Karnataka.
Chandigarh: The inclusion of Chandigarh addresses the administrative needs of the northern region, particularly serving Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh itself. This strategic addition will improve accessibility for companies operating in these regions.