What is a WMI and where is it placed on a vehicle?

The WMI is the first 3 characters of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), prescribed under CMVR Rule 92 (substituted by G.S.R. 801(E) dated 26 August 2021) and AIS-145 Part 1. The WMI is engraved on a metal plate fixed to the vehicle — typically on the dashboard (visible through the windscreen) and on the chassis.

Is WMI mandatory for all vehicle categories?

Yes — under CMVR Rule 92, every motor vehicle (categories L, M, N, O per AIS-053) requires a 17-character VIN with a valid WMI. Vintage / classic vehicles may use a shorter VIN per AIS-145 Part 2.

Can an importer of vehicles obtain an Indian WMI?

No — importers of fully-built vehicles use the manufacturer's WMI from the country of origin (e.g., a Tesla imported from USA carries a USA-issued WMI beginning with 5YJ for Tesla Fremont plant). The Indian importer does not require a separate Indian WMI.

Is Type Approval from ARAI mandatory before applying for WMI?

Yes — SIAM requires the manufacturer to hold a valid Type Approval certificate from ARAI / ICAT / VRDL / GARC under CMVR Rule 126 before applying for WMI. Type Approval covers safety, emission, and VIN marking per AIS-145 Part 1.

What is the difference between WMI, VDS, and VIS in the VIN?

WMI (3 chars) — World Manufacturer Identifier (manufacturer + region); VDS (6 chars) — Vehicle Descriptor Section (model, body type, engine); VIS (8 chars) — Vehicle Identifier Section (serial number + model year + plant code). Together they form the 17-character VIN per ISO 3779:2009 (adopted as IS 14292 : 1995).

Is WMI allotted for a fixed period?

WMI is allotted for an indefinite period, subject to (a) the manufacturer continuing to use it; (b) SIAM's continued recognition by OICA; (c) the manufacturer not surrendering the WMI. If a manufacturer ceases production for 5 years, OICA may reallocate the WMI.

What is the penalty for selling a vehicle without a valid VIN/WMI?

Section 192 of Motor Vehicles Act 1988 (as amended by 2019 amendment) — fine ₹5,000 for first offence; ₹10,000 for repeat. Section 207 — vehicle may be detained / seized. Section 420 IPC — if fraudulent, imprisonment up to 7 years + fine.

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World Manufacturer Identifier Wmi Code

Q: Who allots the WMI for Indian manufacturers?

SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) is India's national WMI coordinating agency, recognised by OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles). The WMI is allotted by OICA in the India range (MA-ME and 9B-9E) on SIAM's recommendation.

Looking to file for WMI code? I-Pro Solutions offers structured documentation review, government portal filing and status tracking — backed by CA-led execution.

Statutory basis: There is **no standalone statute** for WMI allotment in India. The WMI is the first 3 characters of the 17-character **Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)** mandated under **Rule 92 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (CMVR)** — substituted by G.S.R. 801(E) dated 26 August 2021. The technical standard is **AIS-145 (Part 1)** — "Automotive Vehicles — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — Contents and Composition" issued by the **Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC)** of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Parent Act: **Motor Vehicles Act, 1988** (Act 59 of 1988) — Section 41 (registration of motor vehicles), Section 52 (alteration of motor vehicles), Section 109 (vintage motor vehicles — rules), Section 110 (construction, equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles). The WMI is allotted at the international level by **OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles)** — the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers — to **SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers)**, which acts as India's national WMI coordinating agency under the **ISO 3779:2009** and **ISO 3780:2009** standards on VIN. BIS has adopted these as **IS 14292 : 1995** (reaffirmed 2020)..

Turnaround

7–14 Working Days

₹

Starts from

₹14,199

Money-back accuracy

Guaranteed

Total starting from

₹14,199

Professional + estimated government fee

Professional fee₹9,199 starts with

Government fee (est.)₹5,000 - ₹10,000

Turnaround7–14 Working Days

Money-back accuracy. CA/CS specialist. Tracked client portal.

CONFIRMEDverified 25 Aug 2026

Dedicated specialist

CA-led, named point of contact

Tracked client portal

Real-time status, end-to-end

Money-back accuracy

Refile-free if our error

Flat-fee pricing

No hidden charges, ever

About this service

World Manufacturer Identifier Wmi Code is a key regulatory filing administered by For statutory compliance — **MoRTH** (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) and the **Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune** — the **Testing Agency** under Rule 126 of CMVR for type approval of vehicles. For international coordination — **SIAM** as India's national representative to **OICA**. BIS plays a role in adoption of ISO standards as Indian Standards. The actual **issuance of WMI codes to individual Indian manufacturers** is done by SIAM in coordination with OICA.. Filing is executed via SIAM's **Application Form for Allotment of WMI** (internal format). Annexures: (i) Manufacturer's profile + plant location, (ii) Production capacity and product range (vehicle categories L1-L7, M1-M3, N1-N3, O1-O4 per AIS-053), (iii) Type approval certificate from ARAI / ICAT Manesar / VRDL Chennai / ARAI-certified lab, (iv) BIS adoption — ISO 3780 compliance certificate. under There is **no standalone statute** for WMI allotment in India. The WMI is the first 3 characters of the 17-character **Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)** mandated under **Rule 92 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (CMVR)** — substituted by G.S.R. 801(E) dated 26 August 2021. The technical standard is **AIS-145 (Part 1)** — "Automotive Vehicles — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — Contents and Composition" issued by the **Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC)** of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Parent Act: **Motor Vehicles Act, 1988** (Act 59 of 1988) — Section 41 (registration of motor vehicles), Section 52 (alteration of motor vehicles), Section 109 (vintage motor vehicles — rules), Section 110 (construction, equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles). The WMI is allotted at the international level by **OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles)** — the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers — to **SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers)**, which acts as India's national WMI coordinating agency under the **ISO 3779:2009** and **ISO 3780:2009** standards on VIN. BIS has adopted these as **IS 14292 : 1995** (reaffirmed 2020).. Our specialist-led team ensures full compliance with statutory documentation, eligibility verification, and expedited government approval.

Eligibility & thresholds

Minimum

Valid identity & address proof of applicant
Active PAN & registered business premises
Authorized representative authorization

Maximum

Compliant under applicable regulatory laws
No pending statutory disqualifications
Valid across authorized operational jurisdictions

Statutory floor

Pre-filing statutory documentation verification
Official statutory fee schedule as per authority
Mandatory periodic compliance filings post-approval

What's included

Everything in one transparent fee — no add-ons, no surprises.

Investor-Centric AOA Drafting

If you plan to raise institutional funding, standard Articles of Association (AOA) will not suffice. Venture capitalists demand specific clauses regarding right of first refusal (ROFR), tag-along/drag-along rights, and anti-dilution provisions. Our elite corporate lawyers draft sophisticated AOAs that anticipate future funding rounds, preventing costly and time-consuming structural overhauls when you secure term sheets.

Complex Multi-Founder Structuring

Co-founder disputes are the leading cause of early-stage startup failure. We don't just register your company; we advise on optimal equity splits, director roles, and authorized capital distribution. We provide templates for Co-Founder Agreements and vesting schedules, ensuring that the foundational relationship between partners is legally documented and aligned for long-term stability.

Rapid SPICe+ Processing Engine

Time is of the essence for startups. We utilize an advanced compliance engine that preemptively validates all data entered into the SPICe+ (INC-32) form. By cross-referencing PAN databases, checking DIN eligibility, and formatting registered office proofs perfectly, we eliminate typographical errors that typically cause frustrating ROC resubmission delays, ensuring first-pass approval.

Strategic Authorized Capital Advisory

Determining your initial Authorized Share Capital is a delicate balance. Set it too low, and you'll immediately face high fees to increase it during your first seed round. Set it too high, and you pay unnecessary upfront government stamp duty. We analyze your 12-to-18-month funding roadmap to recommend the exact optimal capital structure that minimizes immediate costs while accommodating your immediate growth.

ESOP Implementation Framework

Attracting top-tier talent in the startup ecosystem often requires offering Employee Stock Ownership Plans. A Private Limited Company is the only structure that efficiently supports this. As part of our premium advisory, we structure your initial cap table to accommodate a future ESOP pool seamlessly, ensuring you are ready to incentivize your founding team.

Comprehensive Post-Incorporation Toolkit

Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation is just the starting line. Within the first 30 to 180 days, you must open a bank account, appoint a statutory auditor (ADT-1), and file the Commencement of Business (INC-20A). We provide a complete post-incorporation execution service, handling these mandatory compliance milestones so you can focus entirely on product development and sales.

Government Fee Breakdown

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. All figures verified as of 25 August 2026.

Fee Component	Amount (₹)	Basis / Authority
World Manufacturer Identifier Wmi Code Statutory Fee	₹5,000 - ₹10,000	Official government fee schedule (separate from professional fee)Statutory Authority
Total Government Fee	₹5,000 - ₹10,000	(for default assumptions stated below)

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. Verified 25 August 2026.

Required documents

Each list identifies exactly what to provide — and what you do not need to submit. Use the accordions to expand.

›**Certificate of Incorporation** of the manufacturer under Companies Act — **Certificate of Incorporation** of the manufacturer under Companies Act
›**PAN** of the company. — **PAN** of the company.
›**Manufacturing licence / Industrial Licence** — if the activity falls under the Industries (Develop — **Manufacturing licence / Industrial Licence** — if the activity falls under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act 1951; otherwise, **Udyam Registration** if MSME.
›**Manufacturing facility address proof** — Sale Deed / Lease Deed + utility bill. — **Manufacturing facility address proof** — Sale Deed / Lease Deed + utility bill.
›**Plant layout** and product range (vehicle categories — L, M, N, O per AIS-053). — **Plant layout** and product range (vehicle categories — L, M, N, O per AIS-053).
›**Type approval certificate** from ARAI / ICAT / VRDL / GARC — for at least one vehicle model propos — **Type approval certificate** from ARAI / ICAT / VRDL / GARC — for at least one vehicle model proposed to be manufactured. CMVR Rule 126 — Type Approval mandatory.
›**Production capacity** (annual). — **Production capacity** (annual).
›**ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 certificate** (recommended). — **ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 certificate** (recommended).
›**Proposed VIN composition** — first 3 characters (WMI), next 6 characters (VDS — Vehicle Descriptor — **Proposed VIN composition** — first 3 characters (WMI), next 6 characters (VDS — Vehicle Descriptor Section), last 8 characters (VIS — Vehicle Identifier Section). Per AIS-145 Part
›**Board Resolution** authorising the signatory to apply for WMI. — **Board Resolution** authorising the signatory to apply for WMI.
›**Application fee** (paid to SIAM) — receipt enclosed. — **Application fee** (paid to SIAM) — receipt enclosed.
›**Self-declaration** that the manufacturer will use the WMI only for vehicles manufactured at the de — **Self-declaration** that the manufacturer will use the WMI only for vehicles manufactured at the declared facility.

How it works

Each step is labelled with who performs it — Customer, I-Pro, or the Regulator. Form names are linked to the official portal.

1
Customer⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 1: **Customer / I-Pro**
**Customer / I-Pro**: Verify the manufacturer's eligibility (incorporation, manufacturing facility, type approval).
2
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 2: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Engage ARAI / ICAT / VRDL for **Type Approval** of the proposed vehicle model — AIS-053 vehicle category, AIS-145 VIN composition.
3
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 3: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Compile manufacturer profile + product range + plant layout + production capacity.
4
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 4: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Draft proposed VIN composition — WMI (3 chars) + VDS (6 chars) + VIS (8 chars) per AIS-145 Part 1.
5
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 5: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Submit physical application to **SIAM, New Delhi** — Application Form for Allotment of WMI + all annexures + fee receipt.
6
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 6: **SIAM**
**SIAM**: Scrutiny of application + verification of manufacturing facility and type approval.
7
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 7: **SIAM**
**SIAM**: Forward to **OICA** (international) for WMI allotment in the India range (MA-ME and 9B-9E).
8
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 8: **OICA**
**OICA**: Allotment of WMI — typically within **30-60 days** of receipt from SIAM.
9
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 9: **SIAM**
**SIAM**: Communication of WMI to the manufacturer.
10
Regulator⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 10: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: On receipt, manufacturer to begin VIN marking on production line as per AIS-145 Part 1; display WMI on each vehicle's VIN plate (typically on the dashboard / chassis).

Post-registration compliance

What to file next. I-Pro handles these as part of the annual compliance package.

Filing	Form	Deadline
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A) Penalty: ₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)	`One-time mandatory`	Within 180 days of incorporation after bank capital deposit
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1) Penalty: Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers	`5-year tenure`	Within 30 days of incorporation by Board of Directors
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 30 days of AGM (by 29 October annually)
Annual Return (Form MGT-7) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 60 days of AGM (by 29 November annually)
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC) Penalty: ₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation	`Annual`	Every designated partner / director holding active DIN by 30 September

Penalties for non-compliance

Statutory penalties under governing regulatory provisions. Avoid non-compliance delays.

Non-compliance	Provision	Penalty
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)	One-time mandatory	₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1)	5-year tenure	Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Annual Return (Form MGT-7)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC)	Annual	₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoidable filing errors that cause delays or rejection. Each can be resolved before submission.

1
Mismatched applicant legal name or identity details across KYC proofs
Why: Government verification APIs cross-check with UIDAI and MCA databases and automatically flag discrepancies in spelling or dates.
Fix: Our specialists pre-validate your documents against official government databases before portal filing.
2
Submitting outdated utility bills or non-notarized commercial leases
Why: Premises proofs older than 60 days or defective landlord NOCs trigger statutory scrutiny queries and multi-week processing delays.
Fix: We verify recent billing dates and provide pre-formatted, legally vetted landlord NOC and lease formats.
3
Selecting incorrect classification, turnover slab, or statutory activity code
Why: Applications filed under inappropriate classifications attract show-cause notices and potential rejection without statutory fee refund.
Fix: We conduct a statutory scope assessment to align your application with the exact regulatory requirements.

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