PSARA License Registration made easy with Corpbiz
In India, if a person wishes to start a business related to a security guard agency, then they have to avail a PSARA license. The Ministry of Home Affairs made it compulsory to get the PSARA license to run a private security agency in India. A PSARA license is obtained through the regulatory authorities of a state where an individual wishes to start their agency. The provisions related to the same are mentioned in the Private Security Agencies Regulations Act (PSARA), 2005. Every state in India appoints a Joint Secretary who is responsible for controlling and regulating the private security agencies of that particular state. The license remains valid for a period of five years, and after that, the business has to renew the license 45 days from the date of expiry. The act has laid down provisions related to the eligibility, renewal, compliance, etc.
Who Needs the PSARA License in India?
India has become a hub for new ventures and businesses to open their offices in the current market. Approximately 1 30,000+ startups have opened their offices in the year 2023 itself. The number is just going to increase in the future. With new businesses forming, the need for security agencies to secure these offices has also increased. Since diverse establishments need security, not many certified and trustworthy agencies are present in the market to provide this service. In order to cope with this situation, the PSARA bill was introduced in India. As per this act, if a person wishes to start a security agency, they can avail of this license and can do that. The act was necessary for the following reasons-
Common Challenges in the Process of Application for PSARA Certificate
Here are some of the challenges a person faces when they apply for PSARA license -
Strict Eligibility Requirements
Meeting the strict eligibility requirements, including financial stability, clean background checks, and adherence to pre-specified standards, can be challenging for many applicants.
Necessary Paperation Requirements
The application process necessitates the submission of various necessary papers, such as proof of financial stability, background verification reports, and compliance with labour laws. Assembling and providing accurate paper works can be time-consuming.
Background Verification
In the process of application of the PSARA license, a background check on the directors, key personnel, partners, etc is required. Even a single discrepancy will lead to delays or rejection of the application.
Infrastructure Requirements
Private security guard agency needs a specific infrastructure too. A security agency must have efficient communication facilities, a registered office, and infrastructure for training purposes.
Compliance Difficulties
PSARA License application comes with its own set of compliance requirements. A part of these compliance requirements is the need for training; to train their security guards, a Private security agency must enter into an MOU with a training institution, which is an additional challenge.
Financial Requirements
For the smooth processing of the application, it is important to make sure that the stakeholders are fully prepared to bear the fees of the PSARA License Application. Filing of the PSARA application is also dependent on the state-specific requirements related to the fees or cost of a PSARA License.
State Specific Variations
A PSARA or Private Security Agency License comes under the central government as well as the state government. Adapting and navigating through various state-specific requirements can also prove to be a challenge to businesses operating in multiple states.
Time-Consuming Process
The entire offline or online PSARA license process is very time-consuming. The process can take from 60 to 90 days to process. Even the renewal application can be very long and time-consuming as the authority will examine the application thoroughly.
Eligibility For PSARA License
Anyone can apply for a PSARA license in India as long as they fulfil the specific requirements. A PSARA License is required to start a private security agency business in India. The eligibility criteria mentioned in the PSARA Act are mentioned below-
For License
For Security Guards
In order to become a guard in a private security agency, the following criteria are to be met-
For the Owner
The eligibility criteria and mandatory requirements from the owner/director of the private security agency are mentioned below-
Other Requirements
Other requirements related to the PSARA license are listed below-
Are FDIs allowed to enter the Indian Private Security Agency Market?
As per the guidelines, a PSARA license will not be given to any agency that is incorporated in a foreign land. Also, agencies whose majority stocks are owned by a foreigner cannot avail of a PSARA license. Any foreign partnership or shareholding cannot apply to get a PSARA license. An FDI of up to 49% is allowed; however, they are subject to approval from the government. These companies need to make sure that all of their relevant necessary papers, along with FC-GPR, are approved and duly filed.
Process of Obtaining the PSARA License
The process to attain a PSARA license is written below-
Necessary Paper Preparation
The individual has to gather all the necessary papers that are required and organize them well for the purpose of obtaining PSARA License. They also have to maintain a record of the agency's directors and promoters along with different registration requirements. The necessary papers have to be without many mistakes to avoid any discrepancies. The applications for PSARA licenses are heavily scrutinized; hence, it's important to make sure that necessary papers are legible. Once the necessary papers are collected, the application has to be submitted to the online portal after e-signing the necessary papers.
MOU with Training Institutes
After collecting the necessary necessary papers, the individual has to choose a training institute from the list of training institutes mentioned on the PSARA website. After selecting the institute, they have to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with them. This training is essential to know the aspects of the agency as well as train any potential security personnel. It is observed that agencies with affiliation with a training institute attract high-quality employees. Individuals who are ex-servicemen will receive certain relaxations and exemptions in terms of training.
Application Filing
The form-1 has to be submitted with suitable information mentioned in the form to the respective state authority responsible for granting the PSARA license. Form-11, along with the Affidavit in Form-111, must be submitted to verify the agency's antecedents.
Police Verification
A police verification is conducted once the individual has submitted the Form-1. The directors are also subjected to police verification if the agency is a partnership.
Grant of License
The state authority will investigate and examine the application. On successful examination, the individual will receive the PSARA license in form-1V. If any discrepancies are found, then the license may not be granted.
Necessary Papers Required to Obtain a PSARA License
The list of necessary papers required for a PSARA license is mentioned below-
Other Certificate and License required for a Private Security Agency
Here is the list of certificates and licenses required for a private security agency-
ESI Registration
In India, Private security agencies are required to have ESI registration as per the ESI Act of 1948. The registration ensures that appropriate healthcare and medical supervision will be given to the employees of the agency. The ESI scheme is governed by the ESIC (Employees State Insurance Corporation.)
PF Registration
The provisions of the PSARA Act also state that private security agencies also need to have a mandatory PF registration. This registration is significant for the employees to attain the benefits of the Provident Fund Scheme. The PF registration is supervised by the Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952.
GST Registration
A GST registration is required to get the GST Identification Number. The GSTIN is required to operate the private security agency legally. The security services are taxable under GST. Hence, it is significant to obtain the registration.
ISO Certification
An ISO certification is essential to ensure the reliability and efficiency of services the private security agency provides. ISO has laid down specific security operations management standards that apply to private security agencies, known as ISO 18788:2015. This certification proves to be highly beneficial to the business as it lets the clients know of the reliability and efficiency of the private security agency.
Grant Period and Validity of the PSARA License
The period to attain a PSARA license depends on the particular state authority. One state can take longer to process the request, while the other may not. Generally, it has been observed that the application takes around 60 days to process from the date of submission of the application as the authority will examine the data. The PSARA license remains valid for a period of five years for most of the states in India. The only exceptions are the states of Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, where a PSARA license remains valid for only one year.
Appointment of a supervisor
To comply with the provisions of the PSARA Act of 2005 and get a private security agency license in India, the applicant appoints a supervisor. The supervisor is required to conduct and oversee the workings of the agency. They are supposed to supervise the security guards appointed by private security agencies. The supervisor must have a minimum of 3 years of experience working in the Navy or the Army.
How will Corpbiz help obtain the PSARA license?
Corpbiz is fully equipped to take care of all the services required to obtain a PSARA license in India. Our experts provide end-to-end services and are always a single step away from you to reach out. Our services will include-
Frequently Asked Questions
All Indian nationals are eligible for a PSARA license. Indians who have been ex-convicts or have been a part of fraud in the management of a company are not eligible to apply for a PSARA License.
The full form of PSARA is the Private Security Agency Regulation Act.
The fees for a PSARA License can be around Rs. 5000 for 1 district, Rs. 10,000 for five districts, and Rs. 25000 for the entire state.
The process of filling out the PSARA form online is mentioned below-
- File the application
- Obtain MOU with a training institute
- Police Verification
- Necessary Paper Verification
- Grant of the license
If an individual wishes to establish a private security agency in India, then obtaining a PSARA license is mandatory.
The PSARA Act delivers a license that is required to establish a private security agency in India.
The controlling authority is a similar or equivalent post to the Joint Secretary of the State. The controlling authority of the state controls all the jurisdiction and final decisions.
Certain institutes listed on the PSARA website offer to provide training to the probable employees of the private security agency. This course of training is called the PSARA training. These institutes train individuals who aspire to pursue a career in security-centric businesses.
Individuals aged 18 to 65 are eligible as per the PSARA Act of 2005.
To run a security agency in India is highly profitable and lucrative. With the number of businesses opening in India, the need for security has also increased drastically.
An individual, group, partners, or business that is involved in activities like guarding, watching, protecting nay premises, is called the private security agency.