ICAI released revised FAQs on UDIN

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released revised frequently asked questions on Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) to address member queries and clarify different facets of the UDIN system, including updates and adjustments.

The world is changing rapidly, and our best chance for the future is to enhance human potential with advanced technology to meet the needs of a new era of social progress. As the financial landscape evolves quickly, the role of Chartered Accountants (CAs) is also transforming to adapt to the opportunities and challenges of these changing times.

Since, 2019, when ICAI introduced the concept of Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) for the first time in India, its utility and usage have leapfrogged from the instrument of verification to the instrument of decision support. Even though we endorse the success of UDIN as one of the important pillars of decision support, we can barely remain content with the ever-increasing expectations from UDIN.

UDIN is an endeavour of the Institute to provide a universal verification mechanism for ascertaining the authenticity of the documents signed by Indian Chartered Accountants. It enjoys the distinction of being one of its kinds, supplementing various initiatives of ICAI in pursuit of transparent financial reporting in India. Since, its inception, UDIN has become a sine qua non for trust and credibility. It empowers the government, regulatory agencies, banking and financial intermediaries, and other stakeholders to ensure the authenticity of documents received from Chartered Accountants (CAs), hence assisting them in policy and decision-making processes.

The UDIN Directorate routinely informs members about current changes in accounting, taxation, and legislation, as well as their implications for UDIN, via telecalls, advisories/announcements through portals, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Consequent upon various evolutions emerging from several venues of interaction of the members, including their relevant feedback, important changes, and commonly asked queries, among others, have been included in the present edition of the FAQs for the benefit of the members as a handy compilation.

FAQs on UDIN

Q1. What is Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN)?

Ans. Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) is an 18-digit system-generated unique number for every document certified or attested by full-time practicing chartered accountants.

Q2. Why UDIN?

Ans. It has been noticed that financial documents/certificates attested by third parties misrepresenting themselves as CA members are misleading the authorities and stakeholders. ICAI is also receiving a number of complaints of signatures of CAs being forged by non-CAs.

Q3. What is the objective of UDIN?

Ans. To curb the malpractices of certification by non-CAs by impersonating themselves as CAs, the ICAI has come out with an innovative concept of UDIN, i.e., Unique Document Identification Number, which has been implemented in a phased manner. It will secure the certificates, reports, and documents attested or certified by practicing CAs. This will also enable the regulators/banks/third parties to check the authenticity of the certificates, reports, and documents.

Q4. What is the syntax of 18-Digits of UDIN?

Ans. The 18-digit UDIN is a system-generated random number with specific syntax, i.e., YY MMMMMM AAAAAANNNN. For e.g. 19304576AKTSBN1359, where

First 2 Digits are YY – Last 2 digits of the Current Year (19 for the year 2019)

Next 6 Digits are MMMMMM – ICAI’s Membership No. (304576 in this case)

Last 10 Digits are AAAAAANNNN – Alpha-numeric generated randomly by the system (AKTSBN1359)

Q5. When has UDIN been made mandatory?

Ans. Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) has been made mandatory for all kinds of certifications, GST and tax audit reports, and other audit, assurance, and attestation functions undertaken or signed by full-time practicing chartered accountants.

As per the Council decision taken at its 379th meeting held on 17th and 18th December, 2018, UDIN has been made mandatory in a phased manner as per the following schedule:

• For all Certificates w.e.f. 1st February, 2019.
• For all GST and tax audit reports w.e.f. 1st April, 2019.
• For all other audit, assurance, and attestation functions w.e.f. 1st July, 2019.

Q6. Who has to generate UDIN?

Ans. All practicing CAs having full-time Certificate of Practice (CoP) have to generate UDIN after registering themselves on the UDIN Portal.

Q7. Who can register on the UDIN Portal?

Ans. Practicing CAs having full-time CoP can only register on the UDIN portal to generate UDIN.

Q8. Is any person other than CA allowed to register at the UDIN portal?

Ans. No, only CAs who have a full-time Certificate of Practice (CoP) can register on the UDIN portal to generate UDIN.

Q9. Can a partner generate UDIN for attestation functions done by another partner?

Ans. No, only the signing partner has to generate UDIN.

Q10. Whether a firm can register on the UDIN Portal?

Ans. No, only members of ICAI having a full-time Certificate of Practice can register on the UDIN Portal.

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