Business License Finder
Pick your industry and instantly see the licenses and registrations you need to start legally in India — with the authority and reason for each.
- Free — no sign-up
- Instant, on-screen results
- Built by our CA · CS team
- Rules cited on the page
Fill in the details — the answer on the right updates as you go.
Licences & registrations required
| Licence / Registration | Issuing authority | Why you need it |
|---|
Get every licence for your business sorted by an expert
Tell us your business and we'll map the exact licences, timelines and fees — and register them for you.
Disclaimer: Indicative guidance for common business types in India. Actual licensing depends on your state, municipality, premises and product line. Not legal advice — verify with the relevant authority.
Industry-wise licence reference
Almost every business in India needs a few common registrations — a GST number once you cross the turnover threshold, and a Shops & Establishment registration for the premises. On top of that, each industry has sector-specific licences. Here are the most common combinations.
| FSSAI | Food safety licence / registration |
| GST | Once turnover crosses the threshold |
| Shops & Estab. | Premises & employment registration |
| Fire NOC | Fire-safety clearance for the premises |
| Health / Trade | Municipal eating-house / trade licence |
| Liquor | State excise — only if serving alcohol |
| Drug Licence | Retail/wholesale sale of medicines |
| Pharmacist | Registered pharmacist on premises |
| GST | Mandatory for medicine trading |
| Shops & Estab. | Premises & employment registration |
| Factory Licence | Under the Factories Act (if applicable) |
| Udyam / MSME | MSME registration for benefits |
| Pollution NOC | Consent from State Pollution Board |
| GST | For sale of manufactured goods |
| Fire NOC | Fire-safety clearance |
| GST | Mandatory for e-commerce supply |
| Shops & Estab. | Registration for the business premises |
| FSSAI | Only if selling food products |
| Trademark | Recommended to protect the brand |
How the finder works
Select an industry and the tool loads a curated checklist of the licences that business typically needs — then refines it based on your turnover, alcohol and staffing answers. Each item shows the issuing authority and the reason it applies.
Key terms explained
FSSAI licence
Issued by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India. Any business that makes, stores, sells or serves food needs an FSSAI registration or licence, sized to its turnover (Basic, State or Central).
Shops & Establishment
A state-level registration for the premises and its workers, covering working hours, holidays and conditions. Almost every commercial establishment must obtain it from the local labour department.
Drug Licence
Required to sell or distribute medicines, issued by the State Drugs Control Department. Retail sale needs a registered pharmacist physically present at the pharmacy.
GST registration
A GSTIN is mandatory once turnover crosses ₹40 lakh (goods) or ₹20 lakh (services), and immediately for e-commerce and inter-state supply, regardless of turnover.
Questions people ask
Short answers on Business License Finder. Tap a question to open it.
01Which licences does a new business in India typically need?
Almost every business needs PAN/TAN and, above the turnover threshold, GST registration. Beyond that it depends on activity and state — Shops & Establishment, Udyam (MSME), professional tax, trade licence, FSSAI for food, IEC for import-export, drug licence for pharma, and industry-specific approvals.
02Do I need a trade licence from the municipality?
Most states require a trade licence or Shops & Establishment registration for any commercial premises. The requirement, fee and renewal cycle are set by the local municipal body, so they differ from city to city.
03Are licences needed for a purely online business?
Yes. Selling online usually makes GST registration compulsory regardless of turnover, and product businesses still need the underlying approvals — FSSAI for food, BIS for notified goods, drug licence for medicines.
04What happens if I operate without a required licence?
Consequences range from a penalty and closure notice to prosecution in regulated sectors such as food and pharma. Missing registrations also block bank credit, marketplace onboarding and tenders.
05Is this list final for my business?
It covers the common statutory registrations for the activity and state you pick. Sector-specific approvals — pollution control, fire NOC, factory licence, RBI or SEBI registration — may apply on top, so confirm with us before you launch.
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Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.