| Imagealt: | Companies Act |
| Long Title: | An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to companies and certain other associations |
| Territorial Extent: | India |
| Enacted By: | Parliament of India |
| Date Enacted: | 18 January 1956 |
| Date Commenced: | 1 April 1956 and amendment 2015 |
| Repeals: | Some provisions of the Act are still in force (as per Ministry of Corporate Affairs Website) |
| Status: | repealed |
The Companies Act 1956 was an Act of the Parliament of India, enacted in 1956, which enabled companies to be formed by registration, and set out the responsibilities of companies, their directors and secretaries.[1] It was repealed and replaced by the Companies Act 2013.
The Act was administered by the Government of India through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Offices of Registrar of Companies, Official Liquidators, Public Trustee, Company Law Board, Director of Inspection, etc. The Registrar of Companies (ROC) handles incorporation of new companies and the administration of running companies.
Since its commencement, it was amended many times, in which amendment of 1988, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2011 & 2013 were notable.[2]
There are 11 types of registrations for a company under the Companies Act 1956.[3]