The Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched “Fast Track Exit Mode” on 03.07.2011 to provide an opportunity for defunct companies under Section 560 of the Companies Act, 1956 for getting their names struck off from the register of companies, to facilitate the exit of such defunct companies without getting into the process of winding up. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of Corporate Affairs, said that the Companies Bill 2013 recently passed by both houses of Parliament has a provision (Clause 455) which introduces a new concept of ‘dormant companies’. Such companies which do not have significant accounting transactions are permitted to obtain the status of a ‘dormant company’.

The number of defunct companies during last three years and companies who have so far availed Fast Track Exit Mode are tabulated as under:

 

 

Fast Track Exit Mode enables defunct companies to seek strike off without formal winding up, simplifying corporate exit procedures. Fast Track Exit Mode allows defunct companies to apply for strike off from the register without formal winding up, facilitating a simplified exit route for inactive entities; separately, the Companies Bill creates a dormant company status for entities without significant accounting transactions, offering an alternative regulatory classification to active companies.