Performing Background Checks on Indian Companies

Step 1:  Basic Company Information

• Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) - MCA21 Portal  (http://www.mca.gov.in/mcafoportal/viewCompanyMasterData.do) Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
  The MCA21 Portal is India's principal repository of information for registered businesses. You may look up a business by name or registration number (Corporate Identification Number - CIN). Basic information such as the company name, registration date, registered address, and director data are available through the portal. You can request access to the company's financial statements, annual returns, and other statutory filings for more detailed information.
• Registrar of Companies (RoC)
  Each Indian state has a local RoC office that keeps track of registered companies inside its borders. To learn more about a certain company, you can go to the RoC office or use their web portal.

Step 2: Financial Details

• Credit Rating Agencies
  Credit rating agencies, such as CRISIL (https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings.html), ICRA (https://www.icra.in/), and CARE Ratings (https://www.careratings.com/) are credit rating organizations that provide credit ratings and financial analyses for Indian corporations. These organizations review a company's financial health, creditworthiness, and potential dangers in order to provide an unbiased assessment of its financial stability.
• Stock Exchange Websites
  If the company is publicly traded, financial statements, annual reports, and other disclosures can be found on stock market websites like the Bombay Stock market (BSE) (https://www.bseindia.com/) or the National Stock Exchange (NSE) (https://www.nseindia.com/).

Step 3: Legal Compliance and Reputation

• Indian Courts Websites
  Search the websites of major Indian courts, such as the Supreme Court of India (https://main.sci.gov.in/case-status), High Courts, and District Courts, for information on legal challenges affecting the corporation. You can search for cases using the party name, case number, or other criteria on these websites.
• India's Intellectual Property Office (https://ipindia.gov.in/)
  The Intellectual Property India website gives you access to patent, trademark, and design databases, which allow you to confirm the company's intellectual property rights and prospective IP conflicts.
• Online Reviews and Media Coverage
  Examine internet reviews, news articles, and social media platforms to determine the company's reputation among consumers, suppliers, and colleagues in the industry. Websites like Glassdoor (https://www.glassdoor.co.in/) and MouthShut (https://www.mouthshut.com/) can provide useful information on a company's work culture and employee happiness.

Step 4: Industry-Specific Compliance

• Industry Associations and Regulatory Bodies
  Additional compliance requirements may apply to Indian enterprises working in regulated industries. To verify the company's compliance with industry-specific regulations, visit the websites of industry associations and regulatory bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) (https://www.rbi.org.in/), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (https://www.sebi.gov.in/), or the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) (https://www.irdai.gov.in/).