The index of charges is the public list, kept by the Registrar under the Companies Act, 2013, of every charge (security such as a mortgage or hypothecation) that a company has created over its assets and registered. On mca.gov.in it appears with the company master data and as View Index of Charges, showing for each charge the charge ID, charge holder (usually a bank or NBFC), amount secured, dates of creation and modification, and whether it is open or satisfied.
How to view the index of charges
- Open mca.gov.in > MCA Services > Master Data > View Company or LLP Master Data.
- Enter the CIN or LLPIN or name and the captcha.
- Open the charges tab or section of the record. The portal also offers a separate View Index of Charges service under Master Data.
- For each entry read: charge ID, charge holder name, date of creation, date of modification, date of satisfaction, amount and status.
- Save the page with the date of checking.
How to read the entries
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Charge holder | Which bank, NBFC or other lender holds security |
| Amount | The amount the charge secures, not necessarily the amount outstanding today |
| Date of creation | When the loan or facility was secured |
| Date of modification | The facility was enhanced or terms changed |
| Status open / satisfied | Open charges are live; satisfied ones have been repaid and released |
Many open charges, recent modifications increasing amounts, or charges to several NBFCs in quick succession all suggest a company relying heavily on borrowing. A clean index with satisfied charges suggests the opposite. Neither is conclusive: charges show security, not repayment behaviour.
Why it matters to a supplier
If a buyer company becomes insolvent, secured creditors generally realise their security first. Under the waterfall in Section 53 of the IBC, unsecured operational creditors like suppliers rank behind secured creditors, workmen and several other claims in liquidation. A company whose every asset is charged to a bank leaves little for suppliers in a liquidation. That affects two decisions:
- Credit: for a heavily charged buyer, keep credit limits tight, prefer shorter terms, and consider security such as a bank guarantee or post-dated cheques.
- Recovery route: where assets are charged, a negotiated settlement or a cheque case (which acts on the directors personally) can be more effective than chasing attachment of charged property. See insolvency for operational creditors.
How FundRaksha uses this
FundRaksha Legal reviews the MCA record, including charges, before advising on a route for a corporate buyer. 60% of FundRaksha cases settle before court, often because the notice reaches the right people at the right address. Fee: 30% only of what is recovered. See also MCA master data.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-20. Information for Indian businesses; not legal advice.