How to read and understand CIN or Corporate Identification Number or Company Registration Number? What is the structure of CIN or Corporate Identification Number?

CIN stands for Corporate Identification Number. It is unique identity number assigned to company by Registrar of Companies under Ministry of Corporate Affairs, it is like voter ID which is assigned to Individuals for unique identification.

 Structure:

CIN is 21 digit Aplha-Numeric Code. Read below table:

1st Digit	Next 5 digit	Next 2 digit	Next 4 digit	Next 3 digit	Last 6 digit
listing status L – Listed U – Unlisted	Industry Code As assigned by MCA , it is like commodity code used in VAT	State Code i.e. MH for Maharashtra Gj - Gujarat	Year of Incorporation i.e. 2011 or any year in which company is formed	Ownership Status i.e. PLC – Public Limited Company PTC – Private Limited Company GOI - Govt. of India	ROC registration no. i..e.  019786 or any six digit numerical number based on state wise ROC

 Look at the example of Reliance Industries Limited CIN:

CIN - L17110MH1973PLC019786

1st Digit	Next 5 digit	Next 2 digit	Next 4 digit	Next 3 digit	Last 6 digit
L	17110	MH	1973	PLC	019786
L – Listed	Textile Industry	Maharashtra	Year of Incorporation	PLC – Public Limited Company	ROC registration no.

Also refer:  

TAN or Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number Structure

http://knowledgekhan.blogspot.in/2017/01/what-is-tan-tax-deduction-and.html

PAN or Permanent Account Number Structure

http://knowledgekhan.blogspot.in/2017/01/what-is-pan-permanent-account-number.html

STC or Service Tax Registration Number 
http://knowledgekhan.blogspot.in/2017/01/what-is-service-tax-registration-number.html 

Excise Registration Number
http://knowledgekhan.blogspot.in/2017/01/what-is-excise-registration-number-what_20.html

TIN or Taxpayer Identification Number
http://knowledgekhan.blogspot.in/2017/01/what-is-tin-or-taxpayer-identification.html