# Applicability of the Companies Act, 2013
The provisions of the Act apply to six categories of entities. For specialised entities, the Act applies only to the extent it is not inconsistent with the relevant special legislation.
## The Six Categories
| # | Entity | Governing Special Law (where applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Companies incorporated under this Act or any previous company law | — |
| 2 | Insurance companies | Insurance Act, 1938 / IRDA Act, 1999 |
| 3 | Banking companies | Banking Regulation Act, 1949 |
| 4 | Companies engaged in generation or supply of electricity | Electricity Act, 2003 |
| 5 | Any company governed by a special Act | That special Act |
| 6 | Body corporate incorporated by any Act, as notified by Central Government | — |
## Key Principle: 'Inconsistency Rule'
For categories 2 to 5, the Companies Act applies subject to the special law. If the special law and the Companies Act conflict, the special law prevails.
## Examples under Category 6
- Food Corporation of India (FCI)
- National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)
## Memory Aid: 'CIB-ESS'
- Companies incorporated under the Act
- Insurance companies
- Banking companies
- Electricity companies
- Special Act companies
- Statutory bodies notified by Central Govt