These are records of formal decisions of the directors of the company at duly convened meeting and are prefixed by the word ‘Resolve’.  Minutes of resolution may be recorded in various ways.  They may be simply set down as a statement of what was resolved. Alternatively, they may be accompanied by a statement indicating the mover and seconder and how the resolution was carried.  Either form of recording the resolution is acceptable. Some advocate that the latter form should be used in respect of minutes of general meetings of members and the former in respect of Board meetings. But that is entirely a matter of opinion. A third type of recording, which is desirable in cases where the recitals are numerous and/or lengthy, is one which prefixes a recital to the resolution.  A recital is a short explanation of why it is necessary or expedient to pass the resolution.

It is generally not necessary, and in fact brought with the risk of unpredictable consequences, to record the discussion which led up to the adoption of a certain resolution or making of a certain decision.  Only the decisions or resolutions actually taken and the names of the persons proposing and seconding those decisions or resolutions, should therefore, be recorded. However, motions carried through or ruled upon by the chairman are on the same footing as resolutions for the purpose of recording the minutes.

As the element of urgency is part of the word ‘minutes’ as used in the context of minutes of proceedings, it is advisable to draft the minutes as soon as possible after the conclusion of meetings.

Section 193 (1) of the Companies Act, 1956 alia provides that every company shall cause minutes of all proceedings of every meeting of its Board of directors, to be kept by making within thirty days of the conclusion of every such meeting concerned, entries thereof in the books kept for that purpose with their pages consecutively numbered.  The minutes need not be signed within that period. (Department of Company Affairs’ (MCA) circular NO. 25 of 1975, dated 1 September, 1975.

It is not obligatory to wait for the next Board meeting in order to have the minutes signed of the meeting already held. The chairman of the meeting at any time may sign such minutes before the next Board meeting is held. A confirmation of minutes of a meeting at the next meeting is not contemplated under the law. [Department of Company Affairs’ (MCA) Circular No. 8/2 Misc.  75-CL-V, dated 5 May, 1975.

It is, however, common practice to confirm and / or note the minutes at  the next meeting and sign the same by the chairman.  Confirmation really means noting. The Act does not require either confirmation or noting, but noting is a good secretarial practice. It is also a good practice to circulate minutes in draft to the directors.

Minutes must be signed latest on the date of the next succeeding meeting of the Board. It is not necessary that the minutes are signed by all the directors present at the meeting [Prafulla Kumar Rout v orient Engg. Works Pvt. Ltd. 91986) 60 COMP Cas 65 (Ori) but it is necessary to mention the names of the directors present. It is desirable to mention the names of the directors who have absented from the meeting together with a statement as to whether they have been granted leave of absence or not. Minutes of a board meeting, which was held in accordance with the directions of a court are to be signed by the chairman appointed by the court and such minutes are to be taken as authentic minute.

Minutes once recorded and signed cannot be changed materially, subsequently. Minutes once made and signed, ought never to be altered by striking out or adding anything. {Re, Cowley & Co42 Ch d 204} If a correction involves a major departure from the earlier minutes, the proper procedure is to pass a resolution at a subsequent meeting and mention the fact of the resolution in the old minutes as a cross reference.

It is the general practice to draft the Board meetings minutes and get it approved by the chairman and thereafter it is recorded in the minutes book. Simultaneously, copy of the draft minutes is circulated to all the directors either before or at the time of circulation the agenda for the next meeting. At the next meeting, the minutes of the earlier meeting recorded in the book, are adopted by the Board and in token thereof, the chairman signs the minutes with the date. It would be more appropriate to record that the Board approved the minutes of the previous meeting of the board held on…. Instead of saying that the Board confirmed minutes of the last meeting’.

Action on any resolution or any matter approved by the board at a meeting can be taken immediately on the conclusion of the meeting. It is not necessary to wait till the minutes are recorded, approved and adopted at the next meeting.

Either of the following methods may be used for the purpose of numbering of the minutes:-

The Companies Act, 1956 has neither provided for confirmation of minutes of the Board meeting at the next such meeting nor has it contained provisions making it mandatory the minutes of Board meeting among directors. Generally, at the time of nomination of directors on Board by financial institutions, banks, etc., they impose conditions relating to that.

In general practice, the nominating bodies require circulation of minutes. It is also a good secretarial practice that after the minutes have been written and got signed, should be  circulated among the followings;-

The Companies Act, 1956 has no express provision in relation to inspection of minutes books of Board meetings, the same shall be open for the inspection of auditors. The directors shall also be eligible to see these books.

Right to inspection cannot be denied whatever be the motive of member.

Following optional registers may also be taken care of being related to minutes books of Board meetings;-

In addition to the above, the file containing the notices of Board meetings, letters of disclosures made by the directors, copy of the statements placed before the meeting duly initialed by the chairman, proof of dispatch of notice to the directors, copy of the resignation letter from the directors, agenda papers, etc. should be carefully kept at the registered office of the company.