What do you mean by 'Common Seal'? Is it necessary for a company to have Common Seal? Discuss as per provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

Meaning of Common Seal Common seal is the official signature of a company, which is affixed by the officers and employees of the company on its every document. The common seal is a seal used by a corporation as the symbol of its incorporation. Is it necessary for a Company to have a Common Seal? Having a common seal is optional now. The Companies (Amendment) Act,2015 has made the common seal optional by omitting the words “and a common seal” from Section 9 of the Companies Act,2013 so as to provide an alternative mode of authorization for companies who opt not to have a common seal. This amendment provides that the documents which need to be authenticated by a common seal will be required to be so done, only if the company opts to have a common seal. In case a company does not have a common seal, the authorization shall be made by two directors or by a director and the Company Secretary, wherever the company has appointed a Company Secretary.