Private security agencies in India are mandated to register under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005[1] and accordingly liable to obtain the PSARA license. The said Act seeks to regulate every aspect of private security agencies, including training protocol and duties of supervisors. This write-up cum guide will help you get a PSARA license in Gujarat in a seamless way.
Eligibility criteria to qualify for PSARA License in Gujarat
The following entities are eligible to apply for a PSARA license in Gujrat.
- Sole Proprietorship
- One Person Company (OPC)
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- Partnership Firm
- Private Limited Company
The Directors/Proprietors/ Officers are liable to satisfy the given norms to qualify for the license;
- The applicant should not be non-Indian
- The availability of ample finances is a must for addressing operating costs.
- The track record of the individual should be clean from the legal viewpoint.
How to apply for a PSARA license in Gujarat?
The following procedure shall help the applicant apply for a PSARA license in Gujarat;
Step 1: Gather required documents
While applying for the PSARA license in Gujarat electronically, the applicant is liable to upload a copy of the documents;
- PAN Card
- GST registration certificate
- Provident fund (PF) registration letter
- Certificate of Company’s Incorporation
- Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) registration letter
- Shops & Establishment act registration letter
- Income Tax Returns of directors
- Contractual Labor Act registration letter
- Address proof of the Registered Office
Step 2: Sign a Memorandum of Understanding, i.e. MOU, with the Government-backed institute
The next step is to sign an MOU with a Government-certified institute. This is a must-have requirement for private securities agencies in India. This said, MOU should lay the grounds for a training-related requirement that is mandatory for the security guards.
Step 3: Police Verification
Securing the Police NOC is the third step in this process. For this, the applicant needs to file an application via form-I. In the case the applicant is AOPs or Association of Persons or company, every director/partner is liable to produce individual verification forms. It is worth noting that in 2019, the requirement pertaining to manual document inspection has been removed from the Act via amendment.
Step 4: Filling of PSARA Application
The application filing for the PSARA license is being done on a state-wide basis with the respective controlling authority. As soon as the authority receives the Police NOC, they will initiate the application processing.
Authority may or may not grant the license upon the completion of the inspection process. If the authority opts to revoke the application, the reasons for the same will be shared with the applicant via registered contact. There is no standard timeline for the completion of the license approval process, and it varies state-wise.
PSARA license in Gujarat: Renewal and Validity conditions
A standard validity of the PSARA license is five years, applicable in all states except MP, Uttrakhand, and Chhattisgarh, where the license remains valid for one year.
The license is renewal in nature and hence can be renewed within 90 days from the date of expiry.
Standard guidelines for the holders of PSARA license in Gujarat
Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA), 2005 has formulated and implemented the given regulations for the holder of PSARA license in Gujarat.
- A private security agency (PSA) is mandated to appoint a supervisor for administering guards.
- The appointed guards shall undergo training protocol as recommended by the governing Act.
- During supervisor selection, the agency must give priority to the Ex-defense candidates having three years of experience
- Agency must underpin a standard uniform code for all selected guards.
Training norms to be followed by the holders of PSARA license in Gujarat
The Controlling Authority is accountable for underpinning extensive training modules to train the selected guards. According to the governing Act, the selected guards must undergo;
- 200 hours of classroom instructions
- 60 hours of field training
This whole training schedule should be completed within 20 days timelines (excluding weekly off and public holidays)
The Act has different training schedule norms for former police personnel and ex-servicemen. The following reflects the same
- 40 hours of classroom instructions
- 16 hours of field training
The said training schedule must reach its completion within seven working days.
The certified agency is liable to conduct the following activities under the training module:
- Physical Fitness training
- Fire fighting
- Crowd control
- Examination of an individual’s credentials relating to the identity
- Physical security, household security, assets’ security, etc.
- Identification of fabricated explosives
- Reading & comprehending English alphabets & Arabic numerals
- Handling and operating firearms (optional)
Conclusion
Once you follow the above requirements precisely, you can obtain the PSARA license without an issue. Keep in mind that compliances around the PSARA license in Gujarat are quite stringent, and any non-conformity would result in sure short rejection of the application. It is important to go through the underlying requirement beforehand to avert any chances of rejection. Or you can connect with a professional firm like Corpbiz to address such undertaking.
Read our Article:PSARA License – Know it’s Eligibility Criteria and Documents Required
