Pollution consent (CTE / CTO)
Industrial units need the state pollution control board's Consent to Establish before construction and Consent to Operate before production. The Red, Orange, Green or White category of your industry decides the process and validity; White-category units are generally exempt.
- Issued by
- State Pollution Control Board
- Law
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, s.25; Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, s.21
- Where to apply
- Your state pollution control board's online consent management system (OCMMS)
TaxClue does not handle this service. It is on the checklist because many of our clients need it. Raise a request and we will try to connect you with someone who can do it, where possible.
How Pollution consent (CTE / CTO) works
The usual picture. Procedures, fees and forms differ by state and authority — always check the current rules before you apply.
Who needs it
- Manufacturing units in the Red, Orange and Green categories
- Hospitals, hotels and larger commercial buildings that discharge effluent or run DG sets
- Units expanding capacity or changing product mix
Documents usually asked for
- Project report with process flow and raw materials
- Site plan and land documents
- Details of effluent treatment, emissions control and waste handling
- Capital investment certificate (the consent fee depends on it)
- Other approvals already held — industrial licence, factory licence, NOCs
The process
- Confirm your industry's category in the CPCB / SPCB list
- Apply for Consent to Establish (CTE) before starting construction
- Build and install the pollution-control systems
- Apply for Consent to Operate (CTO) before production starts; renew it on time
What we can do today
The other registrations the same businesses need — these we handle end to end.
Registrations we handle
Often needed alongside Pollution consent (CTE / CTO).
Full checklists that include it
Every registration for these industries, in order.
Read more
Our own write-ups on the subject.
- Rules 1–7 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024: complaint, inquiry, transfer, extension of time and the penalty order under section 39A →
- Rules 1–7 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024: complaint, inquiry, transfer, extension of time and the penalty order under section 45B →
- Paragraphs 1–3 of the Control of Air Pollution (Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent) Guidelines, 2025: commencement, definitions including the Registered Environment Auditor, and the form of application →
- Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Control of Air Pollution (Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent) Guidelines, 2025: how long consent to establish and consent to operate remain valid after the 2026 amendment, and the consent fee →