Step - Wise Process for PSARA License Registration

Updated on June 14, 2025 01:49:15 PM

The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PSARA) mandates licensing for all PSAs, ensuring professionalism and adherence to industry standards. Within these pages, we'll delve into the essential steps involved in securing your PSARA license, from understanding eligibility criteria and necessary documentation to navigating both online and offline application procedures. We will simplify complicated legalese into clear, actionable steps, providing valuable insights and addressing frequently asked questions as we go.

Governed by the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act, this license ensures lawful operations and compliance with regulatory standards. Our blog explores the intricacies of the registration process, from understanding prerequisites to navigating through application stages.

Securing a PSARA license requires careful adherence to specific steps. The process involves verifying your agency's eligibility, completing the application form, gathering necessary documents, undergoing background checks, and facing potential inspections.

• Eligibility Check: Before applying, confirm your agency’s eligibility criteria like legal existence, principal requirements, training institute partnership, valid business premises and more details provided earlier.
• Document Preparation: Assemble all required documents, including agency incorporation documents, principal officer documents, Business premises documents, and others mandated by your state government.
• Application Submission: Fill out PSARA application form-1. Obtain it in your state’s controlling authority office or download it from their website. The form seeks details about agency, key personnel, activities, operational area, premises and more.
• Background Verification: After submitting an application, the Controlling Authority conducts a thorough background check. They scrutinize the records of your directors/ partners and key personnel for criminal records or disqualifications, ensuring the agency is in responsible hands.
• Inspection and Assessment: Depending upon your state and application’s specific circumstances, the authority may conduct an on-site inspection of your premises to assess the compliance with PSARA Regulations. This might involve evaluating infrastructure, employee training, and adherence to security norms.
• License Issuance: After fulfilling all the necessary requirements and complying with the Act’s provisions, the authority grants PSARA license, authorizing your agency legally to provide security services. The license validity typically lasts five years, except in specific states where it might be shorter. Renew the license before expiry.

Obtaining a PSARA license requires submitting specific documents that verify your private security agency's legitimacy and adherence to regulations. These documents demonstrate your agency's legal establishment and compliance with the PSARA Act's legal framework.

For your convenience, we've organized a comprehensive table listing all necessary documents. We've categorized them into clear sections: applicant agency documents, managerial personnel documents, equipment details, security guard uniform specifications, and premises details. This categorization ensures a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the required documents:-

Documents for Security Agency

• Registration or Incorporation Certificate.
• MOA and AOA of LLP/ Partnership Agreement.
• Shop and Establishment Registration.
• GST Registration.
• PT Registration (if applicable).
• MSME Registration (if any)
• PAN and TAN
• PF and ESI (if applicable)

Documents for Key Managerial Person

• Photograph
• PAN Card
• Election Card
• Aadhar Card (UID)
• Voter ID card
• Passport
• Address Proof
• Electronic/ Telephone Bill
• Registered Leave and License
• Income Tax Return of Last 3 years

Document related to security guards

• Photographs in full uniform holding sticks in their hands (front view, back view, left view, right view)
• Badge and Logo Specimen
• Identity Card Specimen.

Other Related Documents

• MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with recognized Security Training Institutes.
• Training certificates for agency’s owners and key personnels

Premises related documents

• Rent Agreement
• Recent Electricity Bill (not other than two months)
• To confirm the location, take photographs of the premises (inside and outside) and include the agency's signboard with its longitude and latitude.

Key Points

• Key Managerial Persons are those who control the management of the security agency for PSARA License documentation, such as directors in a company, designated partners in an LLP, and partners in a Partnership Firm.
• In case, if the private security agency has already obtained a license from the Controlling Authority of any other state then the requirement of training of the licensee shall not be necessary as per circular no. N0.24021/22/2021-PM-1 dated on 20th Oct 2022. A special qualification certificate from a recognized training institute in one state has been obtained by the licensee, but he must complete the training again to apply for other states.
• As per circular no. 24021/22/2021-PM-1 dated 20th Oct 2022, if the antecedent of the applicant has already been verified in a state he has previously obtained the PSARA License, the same not needed to be done again, provided such verification was completed during the validity period of the license.

1. Commercial premises require either a current property tax receipt or receipt for conversion charges paid in Haryana and Maharashtra states.
2. In Karnataka, a layout plan that specifies the location of toilets on the floor must be included in the 200-square-foot training room and separate office space.
3. To apply for a PSARA license in Madhya Pradesh, you require ITRs for five years, including the current year's ITR. The promoters' ITRs can be filed at the same time as the entity's ITRs.
4. To apply for Psara in the state of Haryana, the managerial staff of the Applicant Agency must hold a passport.

It is mandatory for all private security agencies to train their security guards from a recognized training institute. For this the agency needs to sign an MoU or Memorandum of Understanding with the concerned Training Institute.

Visit the official PSARA website and examine the names of Training Institutes that have been recognized by your state's controlling authority within your area. After selecting an institute, you can contact them for the MOU and give them all the necessary information.

Applying in each state separately: Previously, obtaining licenses in multiple states for private security agencies involved repetitive and cumbersome training requirements in each region. However, a recent circular issued on October 20th, 2022, has significantly streamlined this process.
Now, once a security agency acquires a license from any state's Controlling Authority and the licensee obtains a special qualification certificate from an approved training institute, redundant training is eliminated when applying for licenses in other states. This positive change simplifies the licensing process and boosts operational efficiency for agencies seeking to expand their services across different regions

Maintain and Update records: To ensure the smooth operation of your agency, it is essential to keep detailed and up-to-date records that cover employee information, training credentials, and leadership transitions. By keeping your records current, your agency demonstrates its unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability, as this practice also streamlines any potential future verification procedures.

Ensure Adherence to Security Standards: It is crucial to uphold the credibility and trustworthiness of your private security agency by adhering to security standards. By investing continuously in training and upgrading the skills of your security personnel, you can guarantee top-notch service, prioritize customer satisfaction, and contribute to the growth and success of your agency. Your private security agency can thrive in the dynamic security industry by following these step-by-step guidelines and maintaining a commitment to professionalism and excellence.

Ensure Timely Renewals and Compliances: Ensure that the PSARA License is renewed on time and that you comply with all regulations specified in the PSARA Act. Regular compliance is essential to maintaining the legitimate status of your agency and reinforcing your commitment to professionalism and trustworthiness.