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Trusted by 10,000+ entrepreneurs across India

Our Services

Licenses & Registrations

All the government licenses your business needs — obtained fast, without the bureaucracy.

20+

Licenses We Handle

1–7 Days

Average Turnaround

100%

Online Process

Free

Eligibility Check

What is Licenses & Registrations?

Running a business in India requires more than just a company registration — different industries and business activities require specific licenses and registrations from central and state government authorities. Operating without the required licenses exposes your business to fines, business closure orders, product seizures, and in serious cases, criminal liability.

The landscape of business licenses in India is vast and varies by industry, state, and business activity. A food business needs a FSSAI license. A business engaged in import or export needs an Import Export Code (IEC). An MSME wanting to access government subsidies, priority lending, and collateral-free loans needs Udyam registration. A shop or commercial establishment employing staff needs a Shop & Establishment license from the local municipality. A business manufacturing or trading in drugs and pharmaceuticals needs a Drug license. An IT or software company wanting government project eligibility and tax benefits needs Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) registration.

Beyond these, many businesses need professional tax registration, labour law registrations (PF, ESI), pollution control NOCs, fire safety NOCs, and trade licenses — the exact set depends on your location, industry, scale, and the nature of activities.

Our team maps out exactly which licenses your business requires, prepares all applications with correct documents, liaises with the relevant authorities, follows up on applications, and delivers the licenses to you — eliminating the need for multiple trips to government offices. We also track renewal dates and alert you before expiry so your business never faces disruption.

Services Under Licenses & Registrations

Explore everything we offer under this category — each service handled by dedicated experts.

F

FSSAI Food License

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license is mandatory for all businesses involved in the manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, distribution, import, or sale of food products. Depending on the scale of operations and turnover, businesses obtain a Basic Registration (turnover up to ₹12 lakhs), State License (turnover ₹12 lakhs to ₹20 crores), or Central License (turnover above ₹20 crores, importers, exporters, and food businesses operating in multiple states). The license must be renewed annually or every 1–5 years.

Best for: Restaurants, cloud kitchens, food manufacturers, grocery stores, catering businesses, food importers/exporters, dairy units, and packaged food brands.
M

MSME / Udyam Registration

The Udyam Registration (formerly MSME registration / Udyog Aadhaar) is a government registration that classifies businesses as Micro, Small, or Medium enterprises based on their investment in plant & machinery and annual turnover. Registered MSMEs get access to collateral-free loans under CGTMSE, priority sector lending, interest subvention on loans, preference in government procurement (25% reservation), protection against delayed payments under MSMED Act, access to government subsidies, and lower GST filing frequency. Registration is completely free and done on the Udyam portal.

Best for: All manufacturing and service businesses that qualify as Micro, Small, or Medium enterprises — a very large proportion of Indian businesses.
I

Import Export Code (IEC)

The Import Export Code is a 10-digit code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) that is mandatory for any business engaged in importing goods into India or exporting goods and services from India. Without IEC, customs clearance for imports is not possible and exporters cannot receive payments in foreign currency. IEC is a one-time registration with no annual renewal requirement (though profile updates are required). It is linked to the business's PAN and is automatically updated in customs systems.

Best for: All businesses importing or exporting goods, e-commerce exporters, software exporters receiving foreign payments, and service exporters claiming IGST refunds.
S

Shop & Establishment License

The Shop and Commercial Establishments Act is a state-level legislation that regulates working conditions in all commercial establishments — shops, offices, restaurants, hotels, warehouses, and other places of business. Registration under this Act is mandatory for all establishments employing one or more persons. It governs working hours, overtime, holidays, leave, employment of women, child labour prohibition, and dispute resolution. The license is typically obtained from the local municipal corporation or labour department.

Best for: All shops, offices, restaurants, retail stores, warehouses, service centres, and any commercial establishment with staff.
D

Drug License

A Drug License is mandatory for businesses involved in the manufacture, sale (retail or wholesale), import, or distribution of drugs, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, and medical devices. Issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) or State Drug Controllers depending on the product category, the license requires qualified personnel (pharmacists for retail, degree holders for manufacturing), suitable premises, and adequate storage facilities. Retail and wholesale drug licenses have different requirements and fees.

Best for: Pharmacies (retail and online), pharmaceutical distributors, medical device dealers, drug manufacturers, and importers of pharmaceutical products.
P

Professional Tax Registration

Professional Tax is a state-level tax levied on individuals earning income from employment or practicing a profession. Employers are required to deduct professional tax from employees' salaries and deposit it with the state government. Businesses must obtain a Professional Tax Enrollment Certificate (PTEC) for the business and a Professional Tax Registration Certificate (PTRC) for employee deductions. The rate varies by state — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are among the states that levy professional tax.

Best for: All employers with staff in states where professional tax is levied, and self-employed professionals in applicable states.

How It Works

Our step-by-step process ensures a smooth, transparent experience from start to finish.

01

License Mapping

We assess your business type, industry, state, scale of operations, and number of employees to identify all licenses and registrations required. We prioritise them by urgency and prepare a complete list with timelines and costs.

02

Eligibility & Documentation Check

For each license, we review eligibility criteria and prepare a tailored document checklist. Some licenses require inspections, site plans, or specific equipment — we advise you on these requirements upfront.

03

Application Preparation

We prepare all application forms with accurate information, attach required documents, and ensure everything meets the authority's specifications. Errors at this stage cause rejection and delay — our checklist-driven process minimises rework.

04

Submission & Follow-Up

We submit applications on the respective government portals or physically where online submission is not available, track application status, and follow up with authorities for pending approvals.

05

License Delivery

Upon approval, we deliver the license certificate to you digitally. For licenses requiring physical certificates, we arrange delivery. We also advise on display requirements (e.g., FSSAI license must be displayed at the place of business).

06

Renewal Tracking

Many licenses have annual or biennial renewal requirements. We set reminders 60 days before expiry, prepare renewal applications, and ensure uninterrupted validity — protecting your business from the risk of operating on an expired license.

Documents Required

  • PAN and Aadhaar of business owner / directors
  • Company registration certificate (COI / partnership deed)
  • GST registration certificate
  • Address proof of business premises (utility bill, rent agreement)
  • Layout / floor plan of the premises (for FSSAI, Drug license)
  • Photographs of the premises
  • Details of food safety officer / qualified pharmacist (for FSSAI / Drug license)
  • Import Export Code application — PAN, cancelled cheque, bank certificate
  • List of employees (for Shop & Establishment, Professional Tax)
  • NOC from local authority / fire department (where required)

Timeline & Turnaround

MSME / Udyam RegistrationSame day (online, instant)
IEC Registration1–2 working days
FSSAI Basic Registration7–10 working days
FSSAI State / Central License30–60 working days
Shop & Establishment License3–7 working days
Drug License30–60 working days

Why Choose MeraFinanceWala

All Licenses in One Place

We handle 20+ types of licenses — no need to manage multiple service providers.

Fast Processing

We know exactly what each authority needs, minimising back-and-forth delays.

Renewal Management

Never let a license lapse — we track all expiry dates and renew proactively.

Compliance Protection

Operating with proper licenses protects you from raids, fines, and business closure.

Expert Guidance

We advise on which licenses you actually need — avoiding unnecessary applications.

Documentation Support

We prepare all forms and ensure documents meet authority specifications.

Ready to Get Started?

Book a free consultation — our expert will call you within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MSME / Udyam registration mandatory?
Udyam registration is not legally mandatory for all MSMEs, but it is practically essential. Without registration, you cannot access collateral-free CGTMSE loans, cannot benefit from the 45-day payment protection under MSMED Act, cannot avail government procurement preferences, and are ineligible for many central and state government schemes. The registration is completely free and takes just a few minutes online — there is no reason not to register.
Can a home-based food business get FSSAI registration?
Yes, a home-based food business with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakhs qualifies for FSSAI Basic Registration. The residential address can be used as the registered food business address. However, you must ensure that the cooking area meets basic hygiene standards and you must not manufacture prohibited food items at home. If turnover exceeds ₹12 lakhs, you must upgrade to a State License.
Do I need a separate IEC for each import/export product?
No. An Import Export Code (IEC) is issued to a business entity (company, LLP, or individual) and covers all products imported or exported by that entity. You do not need separate IECs for different products. However, certain restricted or prohibited items require additional permissions from DGFT, and some products require licensing (like hazardous materials, food products, pharmaceuticals). One IEC is sufficient for all your import/export activities.
What is the penalty for operating without a Shop & Establishment license?
Penalties for operating without a Shop & Establishment license vary by state. In most states, the penalty ranges from ₹1,000 to ₹10,000 for first offence and can go higher for repeat violations. More significantly, without the license, employers cannot legally employ staff and may face closure orders from the local authorities. Labour inspectors regularly inspect commercial establishments and can seal unlicensed businesses.
Can I sell food products on e-commerce platforms without FSSAI license?
No. E-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and others require sellers to have a valid FSSAI registration or license before listing any food products. FSSAI has also issued specific guidelines for food business operators selling through e-commerce, requiring them to have their FSSAI number displayed on product listings. Selling food without FSSAI registration on any platform can result in de-listing of products and penalties.
How often must FSSAI license be renewed?
FSSAI Basic Registration is valid for 1–5 years as chosen by the applicant. FSSAI State and Central Licenses are valid for 1–5 years. All licenses must be renewed before expiry by filing an application on the FoSCoS portal. Operating on an expired FSSAI license attracts a penalty of ₹100 per day up to ₹5 lakhs and can result in product seizure and business closure orders. We track renewal dates and ensure timely renewal.

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