Only 30% Annual Filings Completed Despite Extension: ICSI Warns Professionals against Last-Minute Rush
The Institute also indicated that system slowdowns could make it more difficult to complete statutory submissions on time during the final two weeks before the deadline.
Less than 30% of annual files for FY 2024-2025 have been completed despite the extended deadline, according to an advisory from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India ( ICSI ) cautioning professionals not to file annual forms at the last minute.
As the statutory due date approaches, the advice was released amid worries about system congestion and compliance issues.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) published General Circular No. 06/2025 on October 17, 2025, which ICSI referenced. This circular extended the deadline for filing annual returns and financial statements for FY 2024-2025 to December 31, 2025. The Institute noted that despite this extension, there is still an extensive pile of unfinished filings and a very slow rate of compliance.
ICSI pointed out the risks of postponing compliance, warning that an increase in files in the last few days could result in technical issues, portal congestion, and preventable failures, which might subject businesses and professionals to fines.
The Institute also indicated that system slowdowns could make it more difficult to complete statutory submissions on time during the final two weeks before the deadline.
“All professionals are therefore strongly advised to prioritize and complete their filings without delay to ensure smooth compliance well in advance of the December 31 deadline," advised the Institute.
Also it added that “Further it is noticed that using the offline utility in annual filing takes less time in comparison to online filings, therefore it is advisable to use offline utility for annual filing forms also.”
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