Business Licenses Online Across India
Business License Registration, Handled by a Real Expert.
Trade License, Shop & Establishment, FSSAI, Udyam, IEC and Professional Tax, sorted in one place.
There is no single business license in India. Depending on what you do and where you operate, you need a mix of municipal, state and central registrations. Mahananda Consultancy works out exactly which licenses your business needs in your state and city, prepares every application, and applies online for you, so you can open your doors without chasing five different government offices.
13+
Years Exp.
500+
Clients
6
License types
100%
Paperless
Every State
State and city rules checked
Expert-Reviewed
Checked by a professional
Renewal-Ready
Renewal dates tracked for you
Secure & Confidential
Your data stays private
Our Services
Complete Business License Services
Mahananda Consultancy handles the business licenses and registrations Indian businesses need most, from the municipal Trade License on your shop to the Import Export Code for your first overseas order, for proprietors, partnerships, LLPs and companies in every state.
Trade License
Issued by your municipal corporation, municipality or panchayat to confirm your trade is allowed at your premises and meets local safety and hygiene rules. Needed by most shops, offices, eateries and units. We handle new applications, renewals and changes.
Shop & Establishment Registration
Registration with the state Labour Department under your state's Shops and Establishments Act. Covers shops, offices, restaurants and commercial establishments, and is often asked for when you open a current account.
FSSAI Registration & License
Mandatory for every food business, from home bakers and cloud kitchens to restaurants, distributors and manufacturers. We identify whether you need Basic Registration, a State License or a Central License and apply on FoSCoS.
Udyam (MSME) Registration
Government recognition as a Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise. It is optional, but it unlocks priority-sector lending, protection against delayed payments from buyers, and MSME schemes and tenders.
Import Export Code (IEC)
The 10-digit code from DGFT that every business importing or exporting goods needs. It is issued against your PAN and valid for life, but must be updated online every year between April and June to stay active.
Professional Tax Registration
State registration for employers who deduct professional tax from salaries, and for businesses and self-employed professionals who pay it themselves. Applies only in states that levy professional tax, such as West Bengal.
Which Licenses Do I Need?
Licenses Required to Start a Business in India
Most businesses need more than one registration. Find your business type below to see where you likely stand. Your exact list depends on your state, city and premises, which we confirm on a free call.
Required
If applicable
Recommended
Not usually needed
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Business type
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Trade License
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Shop & Establishment
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FSSAI
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Udyam (MSME)
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IEC
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Professional Tax
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Restaurant, café or cloud kitchen
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Retail or grocery shop
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If selling food
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Office, IT or consultancy firm
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If claiming export benefits
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Manufacturing unit
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Factory license may apply instead
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If making food
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If exporting
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Import-export trader
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If trading food
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Online seller or D2C brand
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If selling food
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If shipping abroad
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Freelancer or home-based business
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If you have staff
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If selling food
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If exporting goods
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under Professional Tax means it applies only if your state levies it. Some businesses also need sector approvals such as a Fire NOC, Drug License or Pollution Control consent. Not sure? Tell us about your business in the form above and we'll send you a complete license list.
Know the Difference
Trade License vs Shop & Establishment, GST, Udyam and FSSAI
These registrations are often confused, but each one proves something different, and one does not replace another. A GST certificate or Udyam registration is not a substitute for a Trade License.
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Registration
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Issued by
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What it proves
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Who needs it
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Trade License
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Municipal corporation, municipality or panchayat
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Your trade is allowed at these premises and meets local safety and hygiene rules
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Most businesses operating from premises in a municipal or panchayat area, as per local law
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Shop & Establishment
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State Labour Department
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Your establishment follows state rules on working hours, holidays and employee records
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Shops, offices and commercial establishments, as per the state's Act
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GST Registration
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GST Department
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You are registered to collect and pay GST
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Businesses above the turnover threshold, and certain others such as inter-state suppliers of goods
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Udyam (MSME)
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Ministry of MSME
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You are a recognised Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise
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Optional; any business that wants MSME benefits
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FSSAI
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Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
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You are permitted to make, store, distribute or sell food
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Every food business, by turnover and activity
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State-Wise Rules
Trade License and Business License Rules by State
Trade License, Shop & Establishment and Professional Tax are governed by state and local laws, so the authority, process and renewal cycle change from state to state. FSSAI, Udyam and IEC are central registrations and work the same everywhere.
Trade License and Business Licenses in West Bengal
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Kolkata Municipal Corporation issues it as a Certificate of Enlistment; other municipalities through the e-District portal; Gram Panchayats in rural areas
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Usually renewed every year; municipal areas outside Kolkata can apply and renew online
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the West Bengal Shops and Establishments Act, 1963
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Registration applied for online
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Professional Tax
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Directorate of Professional Tax, West Bengal
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Employers need a Registration Certificate; businesses and professionals need an Enrolment Certificate
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Trade License and Business Licenses in Karnataka
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Greater Bengaluru Authority city corporations (formerly BBMP) in Bengaluru, or the local urban body elsewhere
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Usually renewed every year; category depends on the nature of trade
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961
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Registration required for shops and commercial establishments
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Professional Tax
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Commercial Taxes Department, Karnataka
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Employer registration (PTRC) and enrolment (PTEC)
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Trade License and Business Licenses in Maharashtra
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Municipal corporation, such as BMC in Mumbai or PMC in Pune, for trades that need one
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Requirement depends on the trade and the corporation
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017
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Fewer than 10 workers: online intimation; 10 or more: registration
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Professional Tax
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Maharashtra GST Department
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Employer registration (PTRC) and enrolment (PTEC)
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Trade License and Business Licenses in Delhi
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), or NDMC in its area
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General or health trade license, depending on the trade
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954
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Registration applied for online
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Professional Tax
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Not levied in Delhi
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No professional tax registration needed
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Trade License and Business Licenses in Tamil Nadu
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Greater Chennai Corporation or your local body
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Renewed as per the local body's cycle
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947
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Registration applied for online
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Professional Tax
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Levied by the local body (corporation or municipality)
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Paid half-yearly
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Trade License and Business Licenses in Telangana
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) or your local body
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Usually renewed every year
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988
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Registration applied for online
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Professional Tax
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Commercial Taxes Department, Telangana
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Employer registration and enrolment
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Trade License and Business Licenses in Gujarat
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Municipal corporation, such as AMC in Ahmedabad or SMC in Surat
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Requirement depends on the trade and the corporation
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, 2019
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Fewer than 10 employees: intimation; 10 or more: registration
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Professional Tax
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Local body or state PT authority, depending on your location
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Employer registration and enrolment
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Trade License and Business Licenses in Uttar Pradesh
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License
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Issuing authority & law
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What to know
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Trade License
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Nagar Nigam or your local urban body
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Requirement depends on the trade and the city
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Shop & Establishment
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Labour Department, under the UP Dookan Aur Vanijya Adhishthan Adhiniyam, 1962
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Registration applied for online
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Professional Tax
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Not levied in Uttar Pradesh
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No professional tax registration needed
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The Process
Licensed in 3 Simple Steps
We have removed the running around from business licensing — you share, we apply, you trade.
To get a business license in India online: (1) identify the licenses your business needs based on its activity, state and city, (2) prepare the documents and apply on the right portals, such as your municipal corporation, the state Labour Department, FSSAI’s FoSCoS, the Udyam portal, DGFT and the state professional tax portal, then (3) respond to any queries or inspections and download your certificates. Mahananda Consultancy handles all three steps for you.
Documents Checklist
Documents Required for Trade License and Business Registration
The exact list depends on the license and your state, but these cover most applications. Scanned copies are enough to get started.
Owner / Partners / Directors
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card (linked mobile number needed for OTP)
- Passport-size photograph
- Email ID and mobile number
Business Premises
- Rent / lease agreement, or ownership proof
- Latest electricity or water bill
- No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner
- Latest property tax receipt (asked by many municipal corporations)
- Photo of the premises with the name board, where required
Business Entity
- Certificate of Incorporation, LLP Agreement or Partnership Deed (not needed for proprietors)
- PAN of the business
- GST registration certificate, if registered
- Cancelled cheque or bank certificate (for IEC)
License-Specific Details
- Nature of trade and area of the premises (Trade License)
- Number of employees (Shop & Establishment, Professional Tax)
- List of food products and, for a State or Central License, layout plan, equipment list and water test report (FSSAI)
- Fire NOC, where your municipality requires it
Why Choose Us
Real Expertise. No Bots.
Unlike large online platforms that sell one license at a time, Mahananda Consultancy looks at your business as a whole. Kartick Shaw has spent 13+ years helping Indian businesses get set up and stay compliant, and he makes sure you get every license you need, and none you don’t.
The Complete List, First Time
We map every license you need upfront, so a missing registration never surprises you at the bank or during an inspection.
Dedicated Point of Contact
One expert who knows your file, from your first application to every renewal, and who actually answers the phone.
How We Compare
The Smarter Way to Get Licensed
See why business owners across India choose an expert over a government portal or an online legal platform.
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Facilities
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Govt Portal (DIY)
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Online Legal Platforms
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Mahananda
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License Mapping
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Work it out yourself
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One license per order
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Full list for your business
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State & City Rules
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A different portal each time
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Generic process
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Checked for your state and city
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Application Review
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Trial and error
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Template-based
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Reviewed by an expert
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Query & Inspection Support
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None
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Tickets & chatbots
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We respond for you
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Renewal Tracking
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You track it
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Reminders only
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Every renewal date tracked
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Personal Point of Contact
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No support
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Rotating agents
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One dedicated expert
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Why It Matters
What Happens If You Operate Without a Business License?
Running without the right licenses, or letting one lapse, puts more than a fine at risk.
The good news: every one of these is avoidable. Send us your details and we’ll check what you already have and what’s missing.
After You're Licensed
Business License Renewal & Update Calendar
Getting licensed is day one. These are the renewal and update dates we track for you.
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What
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Where
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When
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Trade License renewal
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Municipal corporation / local body
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Usually every year, before the current license expires
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IEC annual update
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DGFT portal
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Every year between 1 April and 30 June, even if nothing has changed
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FSSAI annual return (Form D-1)
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FoSCoS
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By 31 May every year, for manufacturers and importers
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FSSAI registration / license
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FoSCoS
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Keep active as per the validity on your certificate
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Professional Tax payment & returns
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State professional tax portal / local body
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Monthly, half-yearly or annually, depending on your state
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Shop & Establishment renewal
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State Labour Department
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Depends on the state; many now issue registrations without an expiry date
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Change in address, owners or business activity
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Every authority that issued a license
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Update each license within the time allowed after the change
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Success Stories
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by shop owners, founders and professionals for reliable licensing and compliance.
Knowledge Base
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about business licenses and trade licenses in India.
There is no single business license in India. A business license is the set of registrations your business needs to operate legally, based on what it does and where. Common ones are the Trade License from your municipality, Shop & Establishment registration from the state Labour Department, FSSAI for food businesses, Udyam for MSMEs, IEC for importers and exporters, and Professional Tax registration. These are separate from company registration, which creates the legal entity itself.
Most businesses with a shop or office need a Trade License and Shop & Establishment registration, plus GST registration once they cross the threshold. Food businesses also need FSSAI, importers and exporters need an IEC, and employers in states that levy it need Professional Tax registration. Udyam registration is optional but recommended for small businesses. We map the exact list for your business, state and city.
A Trade License is issued by your municipal corporation, municipality or panchayat and confirms that your trade is allowed at your premises and meets local safety and hygiene rules. Shop & Establishment registration is issued by the state Labour Department and covers working conditions such as working hours, holidays and employee records. Many businesses need both.
A trade license is not required for GST registration. For a proprietorship current account, banks usually ask for two proofs of the business, such as GST registration, Udyam registration, Shop & Establishment registration or a Trade License, so having these in place makes account opening much easier.
In Kolkata, the trade license is issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation as a Certificate of Enlistment and is applied for on the KMC portal. In other municipalities, you apply through the West Bengal e-District portal, and in rural areas through the Gram Panchayat. You need identity proof, premises proof and details of your trade. Mahananda Consultancy prepares and files the application for you.
Trade licenses are usually renewed every year on the same portal where they were issued, such as the KMC portal in Kolkata or the e-District portal in other West Bengal municipalities. Renew before the current license expires, because late renewal usually attracts a penalty. We track your renewal date and file it on time.
It depends on your annual turnover. From 1 April 2026, food businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore need Basic FSSAI Registration, those between ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore need a State License, and those above ₹50 crore need a Central License. Some categories, such as food importers, need a Central License regardless of turnover.
No. Professional Tax is levied only by certain states, including West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Gujarat. States such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan do not levy it. Where it applies, employers must register to deduct it from salaries, and businesses and self-employed professionals must enrol and pay it themselves.
Only for central registrations. Udyam and IEC are issued once for the whole business. Trade License, Shop & Establishment and Professional Tax are state or city specific, so each new premises or state usually needs its own. FSSAI is issued per premises, so each kitchen, outlet or warehouse needs its own registration or license.
Yes, in most cases. Udyam, IEC, FSSAI Basic Registration and Professional Tax can all be obtained at a residential address. Trade License and Shop & Establishment rules for residential premises vary by city and state, so we check what applies to your address before applying.
Udyam and IEC are usually issued within a day or two of a complete application. FSSAI, Shop & Establishment and Trade License timelines depend on the authority and whether a premises inspection is needed, and typically range from a few days to a few weeks. We keep you updated at every stage.
Yes, if you want one expert who looks at your whole business. Instead of buying one license at a time from a ticket queue, you get a complete license list for your state and city, applications prepared by a consultant with 13+ years of experience, and every renewal tracked.
Ready to Get Your Business Licensed?
Let an expert handle your business licenses — the complete list for your state, correct applications, and every renewal tracked. Serving shop owners, founders and professionals across India.
Or call us directly at +91 98519 32712