declaration of dividend as per companies act 2013

What is Dividend?
Section 2(35) of the Companies Act, 2013 defines the word ‘Dividend’ as ‘including any interim dividend’. In easy terms, it can be defined as the portion of profits that are distributed by the Company amongst its shareholders. It can be paid to Equity shareholders as well as preference shareholders.

If the dividend is declared in between a Financial Year or before Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been called, it shall be considered as an Interim Dividend. If the dividend is declared in the AGM, it shall be called the Final Dividend. In case the company has incurred losses during the current financial year up to the end of the quarter immediately preceding the date of declaration of interim dividend, the rate of interim dividend to be declared shall not be more than the average dividends declared by the company during the last 3 financial years.