List of Documents Required for PSARA License in India

List of Documents Required for PSARA License in India. Running a private security agency in India is a serious business. You are not just providing guards to offices, malls, hospitals, factories, or societies you are also responsible for people’s safety and property. Because of this, the Government has made it compulsory to take a PSARA License under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 before starting operations.
Many people think that applying for PSARA is only about filling one form, but in reality, the documents play the most important role. If your papers are not complete or not properly arranged, your application can get delayed or rejected.
This article explains in simple and clear language all the documents required for a Private Limited Company to get a PSARA License.
What is a PSARA License?
PSARA License is a legal permission issued by the State Government that allows a company to run a private security agency. Without this license, providing security guards or manpower security services is illegal in India.
Whether you are supplying guards to housing societies, IT parks, warehouses, schools, hospitals, or factories, PSARA registration is compulsory.
Why Documents Matter in PSARA Application
The PSARA department checks whether:

Your company is genuine

Your directors are trustworthy

You have a proper office

You have trained guards

You follow labour laws

All this is verified through documents. Even one missing or wrong document can delay the approval.
Documents Checklist of PSARA License for a Private Limited Company
Below is the full list of documents that your company must submit:
Certificate of Incorporation (COI)
This is the proof that your company is legally registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
It shows:

Company name

CIN number

Date of incorporation

The PSARA authority uses this to confirm that your business is a valid Private Limited Company.
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
MOA tells what your company is allowed to do.
It must include security services or private security agency activities in the main objects. If this line is missing, PSARA license will not be granted.
The department checks MOA to ensure your company is legally permitted to run a security agency.
Articles of Association (AOA)
AOA explains how the company will be managed internally. It includes:

Rights of directors

Shareholding rules

Decision-making process

This document is needed to understand the management structure of the agency.]
Company PAN Card
This is the tax identity of the company. PSARA authorities need PAN to:

Verify the company

Link financial and compliance records

Without PAN, no government license can be issued.
Directors’ Documents
For all directors of the company, the following are required:

Aadhaar Card

PAN Card

Mobile Number

Email ID

These are required for:

Police verification

Background check

Government record

All directors must be Indian citizens. Any criminal history or mismatch can create issues in approval.
GST Registration Certificate
GST registration proves that your company is registered as a service provider.
Since security services are taxable, GST is mandatory. PSARA department uses this to check:

Business activity

Tax compliance

Even if your turnover is low, GST is compulsory for PSARA.
EPFO and ESIC Registration
This is very important.
Security guards are employees, so:

EPFO (Provident Fund)

ESIC (Health insurance)

are mandatory.
These certificates prove that your company follows labour laws and will give social security benefits to guards.
Without EPFO and ESIC, PSARA will not approve your application.
Shop & Establishment License
This license is taken from the local labour department.
It proves:

Your office exists

You are running a lawful business

It is used as official proof that your security agency is operating from a valid commercial place.
Office Premises Photographs
You need to provide:

Indoor photos

Outdoor photos

Front board showing company name

These photos prove that:

You have a physical office

It is properly branded

It is not a fake or temporary setup

PSARA department wants to see where your agency is operating from.
Guard Photographs in Proper Uniform
You must submit photos of security guards wearing:

Uniform

ID card

Proper appearance

This shows that:

You already have guards

They are properly trained and disciplined

You are ready to provide services

This builds confidence in your security setup.
MOU with a Registered Training Institute
PSARA law requires every security guard to be trained.
For this, your company must sign an MOU with a government-recognized training institute.
This document proves that:

Your guards will get proper training

You follow PSARA training rules

Without this MOU, PSARA license cannot be issued.
Office Address Proof
You must submit:

Rent Agreement

Electricity Bill

These two documents prove:

Your office location

Ownership or legal possession

The address must match with:

GST

Shop Act

PSARA application

Any mismatch may lead to rejection.
Why Accuracy in Documents is Important
PSARA department does not accept:

Wrong addresses

Old documents

Incomplete files

Mismatch in company name

All records must match across:

MCA

GST

EPFO

ESIC

Shop Act

PSARA form

One small mistake can delay your license by months.
Conclusion
Getting a PSARA License is not difficult if your documents are complete and correct. Most delays happen because companies submit wrong or incomplete papers.
If you have:

A registered Private Limited Company

Proper office

Trained guards

Labour registrations

And correct documents

Your PSARA license can be obtained smoothly.
FAQs
Q1. Is PSARA License mandatory for all security agencies in India?
Ans. Yes. Any company or firm that provides security guards, bouncers, watchmen, or manpower security services must obtain a PSARA License under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. Operating without it is illegal.
Q2. Can a newly incorporated Private Limited Company apply for PSARA License?
Ans. Yes. A newly registered company can apply, but it must first complete GST, EPFO, ESIC, and Shop & Establishment registration before submitting the PSARA application.
Q3. Can foreign nationals or NRIs be directors in a PSARA company?
Ans. No. Under PSARA rules, all directors of a private security agency must be Indian citizens. Companies with foreign directors are not eligible.
Q4. Is GST registration compulsory for PSARA License?
Ans. Yes. Since security services are taxable under GST, GST registration is mandatory for PSARA approval, even if the turnover is low.
Q5. Are EPFO and ESIC registration required even if guards are hired on contract?
Ans. Yes. Even if guards are hired through contracts, EPFO and ESIC registration is compulsory because security guards are treated as employees under labour laws.
Q6. Can PSARA License be applied without a physical office?
Ans. No. A proper office with address proof, photographs, and signage is mandatory. Virtual offices or residential addresses are not accepted for PSARA.
Q7. Is a training institute tie-up compulsory before applying for PSARA?
Ans. Yes. An MOU with a government-recognized security guard training institute is mandatory. Without this document, the PSARA application will not be processed.
Q8. How long does it take to get a PSARA License?
Ans. On average, it takes 45 to 90 days, depending on police verification, document accuracy, and the state authority’s processing time.
Q9. Is PSARA License valid all over India?
Ans. No. PSARA License is state-specific. If you want to operate in multiple states, you must apply separately in each state.
Q10. What happens if a security agency works without PSARA License?
Ans. Operating without PSARA can lead to heavy penalties, cancellation of contracts, sealing of office, and even criminal action under the PSARA Act.

Running a private security agency in India is a serious business. You are not just providing guards to offices, malls, hospitals, factories, or societies you are also responsible for people’s safety and property. Because of this, the Government has made it compulsory to take a PSARA License under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 before starting operations.

Many people think that applying for PSARA is only about filling one form, but in reality, the documents play the most important role. If your papers are not complete or not properly arranged, your application can get delayed or rejected.

This article explains in simple and clear language all the documents required for a Private Limited Company to get a PSARA License.

What is a PSARA License?

PSARA License is a legal permission issued by the State Government that allows a company to run a private security agency. Without this license, providing security guards or manpower security services is illegal in India.

Whether you are supplying guards to housing societies, IT parks, warehouses, schools, hospitals, or factories, PSARA registration is compulsory.

Why Documents Matter in PSARA Application

The PSARA department checks whether:

Your company is genuine
Your directors are trustworthy
You have a proper office
You have trained guards
You follow labour laws

All this is verified through documents. Even one missing or wrong document can delay the approval.

Documents Checklist of PSARA License for a Private Limited Company

Below is the full list of documents that your company must submit:

Certificate of Incorporation (COI)

This is the proof that your company is legally registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

It shows:

Company name
CIN number
Date of incorporation

The PSARA authority uses this to confirm that your business is a valid Private Limited Company.

Memorandum of Association (MOA)

MOA tells what your company is allowed to do.

It must include security services or private security agency activities in the main objects.
If this line is missing, PSARA license will not be granted.

The department checks MOA to ensure your company is legally permitted to run a security agency.

Articles of Association (AOA)

AOA explains how the company will be managed internally.
It includes:

Rights of directors
Shareholding rules
Decision-making process

This document is needed to understand the management structure of the agency.]

Company PAN Card

This is the tax identity of the company.
PSARA authorities need PAN to:

Verify the company
Link financial and compliance records

Without PAN, no government license can be issued.

Directors’ Documents

For all directors of the company, the following are required:

Aadhaar Card
PAN Card
Mobile Number
Email ID

These are required for:

Police verification
Background check
Government record

All directors must be Indian citizens. Any criminal history or mismatch can create issues in approval.

GST Registration Certificate

GST registration proves that your company is registered as a service provider.

Since security services are taxable, GST is mandatory.
PSARA department uses this to check:

Business activity
Tax compliance

Even if your turnover is low, GST is compulsory for PSARA.

EPFO and ESIC Registration

This is very important.

Security guards are employees, so:

EPFO (Provident Fund)
ESIC (Health insurance)

are mandatory.

These certificates prove that your company follows labour laws and will give social security benefits to guards.

Without EPFO and ESIC, PSARA will not approve your application.

Shop & Establishment License

This license is taken from the local labour department.

It proves:

Your office exists
You are running a lawful business

It is used as official proof that your security agency is operating from a valid commercial place.

Office Premises Photographs

You need to provide:

Indoor photos
Outdoor photos
Front board showing company name

These photos prove that:

You have a physical office
It is properly branded
It is not a fake or temporary setup

PSARA department wants to see where your agency is operating from.

Guard Photographs in Proper Uniform

You must submit photos of security guards wearing:

Uniform
ID card
Proper appearance

This shows that:

You already have guards
They are properly trained and disciplined
You are ready to provide services

This builds confidence in your security setup.

MOU with a Registered Training Institute

PSARA law requires every security guard to be trained.

For this, your company must sign an MOU with a government-recognized training institute.

This document proves that:

Your guards will get proper training
You follow PSARA training rules

Without this MOU, PSARA license cannot be issued.

Office Address Proof

You must submit:

Rent Agreement
Electricity Bill

These two documents prove:

Your office location
Ownership or legal possession

The address must match with:

GST
Shop Act
PSARA application

Any mismatch may lead to rejection.

Why Accuracy in Documents is Important

PSARA department does not accept:

Wrong addresses
Old documents
Incomplete files
Mismatch in company name

All records must match across:

MCA
GST
EPFO
ESIC
Shop Act
PSARA form

One small mistake can delay your license by months.

Conclusion

Getting a PSARA License is not difficult if your documents are complete and correct. Most delays happen because companies submit wrong or incomplete papers.

If you have:

A registered Private Limited Company
Proper office
Trained guards
Labour registrations
And correct documents

Your PSARA license can be obtained smoothly.

FAQs

Q1. Is PSARA License mandatory for all security agencies in India?

Ans. Yes. Any company or firm that provides security guards, bouncers, watchmen, or manpower security services must obtain a PSARA License under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. Operating without it is illegal.

Q2. Can a newly incorporated Private Limited Company apply for PSARA License?

Ans. Yes. A newly registered company can apply, but it must first complete GST, EPFO, ESIC, and Shop & Establishment registration before submitting the PSARA application.

Q3. Can foreign nationals or NRIs be directors in a PSARA company?

Ans. No. Under PSARA rules, all directors of a private security agency must be Indian citizens. Companies with foreign directors are not eligible.

Q4. Is GST registration compulsory for PSARA License?

Ans. Yes. Since security services are taxable under GST, GST registration is mandatory for PSARA approval, even if the turnover is low.

Q5. Are EPFO and ESIC registration required even if guards are hired on contract?

Ans. Yes. Even if guards are hired through contracts, EPFO and ESIC registration is compulsory because security guards are treated as employees under labour laws.

Q6. Can PSARA License be applied without a physical office?

Ans. No. A proper office with address proof, photographs, and signage is mandatory. Virtual offices or residential addresses are not accepted for PSARA.

Q7. Is a training institute tie-up compulsory before applying for PSARA?

Ans. Yes. An MOU with a government-recognized security guard training institute is mandatory. Without this document, the PSARA application will not be processed.

Q8. How long does it take to get a PSARA License?

Ans. On average, it takes 45 to 90 days, depending on police verification, document accuracy, and the state authority’s processing time.

Q9. Is PSARA License valid all over India?

Ans. No. PSARA License is state-specific. If you want to operate in multiple states, you must apply separately in each state.

Q10. What happens if a security agency works without PSARA License?

Ans. Operating without PSARA can lead to heavy penalties, cancellation of contracts, sealing of office, and even criminal action under the PSARA Act.