MCA Clarifies Continued Online AGM and EGM Options for Companies Under the Companies Act 2013
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) under the Government of India has issued a circular [File No. Policy-17/57/2021-CL-V-MCA], dated September 22, 2025. The circular is regarding clarification on holding of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) via Video Conference (VC) or Other Audio Visual Means (OAVM) and passing of Ordinary and Special resolutions by the companies under the Companies Act, 2013. The circular is addressed to the DGCoA, all Regional Directors, all Registrars of Companies, and all Stakeholders.
The present circular is in continuation of the provisions laid down in several earlier circulars, including the Ministry’s General Circular No. 20/2020 dated 05.05.2020, General Circular No. 02/2022 dated 05.05.2022, General Circular No. 10/2022 dated 28.12.2022, General Circular No. 09/2023 dated 25.09.2023, and General Circular No. 09/2024 dated 19.09.2024. After careful review, the ministry has decided to permit companies to continue conducting AGMs and EGMs through Video Conference (VC) or Other Audio Visual Means (OAVM) until further orders are released regarding this.
Companies are permitted to hold their Annual General Meetings online through VC or OAVM. Meetings must comply with the requirements in Para 3 and Para 4 of General Circular No. 20/2020, which include procedures like proper notice to shareholders, identification and participation of shareholders, voting procedures, recording the meeting, and no extension of AGM deadlines.
Through the circular, the ministry has made it clear that no extension will be made to the statutory deadlines for holding AGMs under the Companies Act, 2013. Companies that miss the statutory deadlines may face legal consequences like penal notices.
In a similar way, companies are allowed to hold Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) using VC or OAVM or transact agenda items through a postal ballot. This is in continuation of earlier ministry circulars, including General Circular No. 14/2020 dated 08.04.2020, General Circular No. 03/2022 dated 05.05.2022, General Circular No. 11/2022 dated 28.12.2022, General Circular No. 09/2023 dated 25.09.2023, and General Circular No. 09/2024 dated 19.09.2024. After careful review, the ministry has permitted companies to conduct their EGMs through Video Conference (VC) or Other Audio Visual Means (OAVM) or transact items through postal ballot in accordance with the framework provided in the aforesaid Circulars till further orders.
All rules and procedures in these circulars remain unchanged, except for the continued allowance of online or postal ballot options.
