Ask Veda
Defence manufacturing needs an industrial licence for listed items, the right entity for security clearance, and registrations for government buyers.
What each registration is, who issues it and when it applies to a defence business. Rules vary by state and by size — treat this as the map, and ask us about your exact case.
Mandatory · CBIC
Required once aggregate turnover crosses the threshold — ₹40 lakh for goods and ₹20 lakh for services in most states — and in some cases from the first sale, such as most inter-state supplies of goods.
For licensed defence items · DPIIT / MHA
Manufacturing items on the defence products list needs an industrial licence under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act; arms and ammunition are licensed under the Arms Act by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
For export or import · DGFT
The Importer-Exporter Code — needed to clear exports and imports through customs and to receive foreign payments against exports of goods.
Recommended
A separate legal entity with limited liability — the structure investors, banks and larger customers expect, and the only common one that can issue equity and ESOPs.
Recommended · MSE benefits in defence tenders
A free, Aadhaar-based registration that classifies you as a micro, small or medium enterprise — used for priority-sector credit, protection against delayed payments and preferences in government tenders.
Recommended · government buyers
Registration on the Government e-Marketplace — how ministries, PSUs and defence establishments buy most goods and services.
Some registrations need another one first — this is the sequence that avoids rework.
After the registrations come the returns and filings that keep you compliant.
GST returns, bookkeeping, TDS and annual filings — everything a business like yours has to keep doing, in one place.
See the compliance pack →What people starting a defence business ask us most.
Only makers of items on the notified licensable list. Many components and general stores supplied to defence need no industrial licence.
Yes, with sector caps and conditions under the FDI policy; above the automatic-route limit, government approval is needed.
Through GeM and vendor registration with the defence establishments you target; micro and small enterprises get purchase preferences.
Every sector, with its own checklist.
A CA or CS confirms which of these apply to you, in your state, and handles the ones we cover.