2 Definitions.

(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -

(a) "Act" means the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013);

(b) "Annexure" means the Annexure to these rules;

(c) "digital signature" means the digital signature as defined under clause (p) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000);

(d) "Director Identification Number" (DIN) means an identification number allotted by the Central Government to any individual, intending to be appointed as director or to any existing director of a company, for the purpose of his identification as a director of a company:

Provided that the Director Identification Number (DIN) obtained by the individuals prior to the notification of these rules shall be the DIN for the purpose of the Companies Act, 2013:

Provided further that "Director Identification Number" (DIN) includes the Designated Partnership Identification Number (DPIN) issued under section 7 of the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009) and rules made thereunder;

(e) "electronic record" means the electronic record as defined under clause (t) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000);

(f) "electronic Registry" means an electronic repository or storage system of the Central Government in which the information or documents are received, stored, protected and preserved in electronic form;

(g) "Fees" means the fees as specified in the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014;

(h) "Form" or "e-Form" means a form set forth in Annexure to these rules which shall be used for the matter to which it relates;

(i) "Regional Director" means the person appointed by the Central Government in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a Regional Director;

(j) "section" means section of the Act;

(k) For the purposes of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 164 and clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 167 of the Act, "or otherwise" means any offence in respect of which he has been convicted by a Court under the Act or under the Companies Act, 1956.

(2) Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined but defined under the Act or under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956) or the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992) or the Depositories Act, 1996 (22 of 1996) or the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) or the Companies (Specification of definitions details) Rules, 2014 shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act or in those Acts or such rules.