Q.Under Section 2(55) of the Companies Act, 2013, which of the following is included within the definition of a "member" of a company?
(A) Only a person who has applied for shares but not yet been allotted any
(B) Only the original subscribers to the Memorandum
(C) A subscriber to the Memorandum, a person agreeing in writing and entered in the register, and a person recorded as beneficial owner by a depository
(D) Only a debenture-holder of the company

Section 2(55) is written as three separate limbs, each describing a distinct way a person qualifies as a member, not just one narrow category.

Check each option against the three limbs of Section 2(55) stated in the chapter; only one option captures all three together.

Section 2(55) of the Companies Act, 2013 defines "member" through three limbs together, not any single one alone.

Option-by-option analysis:

• (A) Incorrect — a mere applicant, not yet allotted shares and not yet entered in the register, is not a member at all.
• (B) Incorrect — original subscribers ARE members, but the definition is broader than just them; it also covers later allottees/transferees entered in the register and depository-recorded beneficial owners.
• (C) Correct — this captures all three limbs of Section 2(55): subscribers to the Memorandum, any other person agreeing in writing and entered in the register, and a person recorded as beneficial owner in a depository's records.
• (D) Incorrect — a debenture-holder is a creditor of the company, not a member; debenture-holders hold no ownership stake.