NCAGE Code Registered in India - Complete Registration Guide for Defence Suppliers & Manufacturers

Entities engaging in defence manufacturing or defence-related services that supply the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or DPSUs must understand that an NCAGE code is not just a formality for them. Rather, it serves as proof of their presence in the defence ecosystem.

• NCAGE Code - Key to NSN Generation: There is no way to produce a NATO Stock Number (NSN) for any manufactured product without assigning a unique NCAGE code to the manufacturer. This is a lead condition of JSG 015:2025. All codification requests must first be routed through NCAGE.
• Base of Defence Supplier Registration: JSG 015:2025 (sixth revision) is the main document in India for defence vendor registration. No vendor firm, manufacturer, or service provider can be registered without a unique CAGE/NCAGE. NCAGE is highlighted as a mandatory requirement, not a mere step that can be skipped, if one wants. The current system of registration includes manufacturers, system integrators, and service providers, including software developers. This makes NCAGE necessary for a much wider range of entities than before.
• Maps India’s MSME and Service Provider Base in Defence: NCAGE is a key tool for the Department of State to pinpoint India’s MSME footprint in defence procurement. This means smaller manufacturers and service providers registered under Udyam/MSME get an opportunity to be seen by the Indian Armed Forces, DPSU, and QA agencies, all from one platform.
• Offers Worldwide Reach: Defence buyers from other countries - including allied nations and foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) sourcing from India - refer to NCAGE when they want to check a facility, a product line or manufacturing authority. If an entity is not registered with it, that entity is essentially invisible in the international defence supply chain. Firms pursuing an Import Export Code (IEC) for defence exports will find NCAGE an essential complement.
• Helps Identify Vendor on IDM Portal: On the India Defence Mart (IDM) portal, the NCAGE number is what makes a vendor unique. All defence vendors registered with DPSUs and QA agencies need to have a presence on IDM, and NCAGE is what they use to identify that profile. Not having an NCAGE is equivalent to procurement agencies, Indian or foreign ones, not being able to find or verify the manufacturing entity. This is a major disqualification from most defence tenders.

Foreign defence buyers and Indian QA agencies do not simply accept claims by OEMs. They require documented proof confirming that the entity in question is either the actual manufacturer or the design authority rather than a reseller or intermediary.

An NCAGE code does exactly this. It tells:

• Identity of manufacturer - certified by a national authority
• Factory place - the NCAGE code is connected to a particular facility at a certain location
• Design and production authority - design control, production authority, or both
• Supply-chain traceability - buyers are able to verify the entity themselves in the NATO Codification System
• Credibility of OEM authorisation - whenever an authorisation letter is made for a product or spare part, the NCAGE is the one that supports it internationally

The issue of Indian OEMs issuing authorisation for defence equipment, spare parts, or sub-assemblies is where an NCAGE becomes really critical. Absence of an NCAGE might cause Indian OEM authorisation letters not to be accepted by foreign integrators, allied procurement agencies, or DPSU quality assurance teams. An NCAGE code is the very thing an OEM statement is transformed from a mere claim to a verified, traceable fact. Learn about Deemed OEM Registration on GeM.

JSG 015:2025 (sixth Revision) replaces JSG 015:2021 Registrations carried out under JSG 015:2021 are still valid and are considered as registrations under the 2025 edition. NCAGE is a mandatory prerequisite under DAP 2020. The generation of NSNs will continue to be impossible without it. The changes made in JSG 015:2025 that are related to NCAGE and how it fits into the registration process are:

• Service Providers Included in the Scope : The 2025 version clearly brings service providers, including software service providers, within the scope for registration. In other words, software companies and technology service providers working with defence will need NCAGE as hardware producers do.
• Exclusions Newly Specified : Capital route procured items, COTS items, and non-critical/non-core items identified by the government QA agencies are now excluded from registration requirements. Companies that only supply in these categories may not be required to register as defence vendors. Therefore, it might not need NCAGE for registration. Even so, NCAGE could still be necessary for NSN and IDM onboarding.
• Changing the Authority for Filing to RQAE : The defence vendor registration application under JSG 015:2025 is submitted to the Regional Quality Assurance Establishment (RQAE) based on the manufacturing unit’s pin code or through the defence vendor registration portal. Presentation of AHSP/Area SAQE was the earlier method. No matter which way it is, NCAGE should be obtained before the application.
• Registration Timeline Now Only 45 Days : Recently general registration has been effectively finished within 45 days from the submission of full documents, a halving of the 90-day period allowed under JSG 015:2021. So before registration process, NCAGE has to be obtained, so any delay in NCAGE will delay the whole process as well.
• LLP Firms Disallowed: JSG 015:2025 clearly identifies LLP companies as another category of entities not allowed for defence vendor registration. LLPs with NCAGE or not simply can’t apply.
• Only TEC-Compliant Vendors Can Register via RFP : Now, registration in reference to an RFP is limited to the cases of manufacturers compliant with TEC and who have been intimated by the Order Placing Authority (OPA) only. This change means the narrowing of the defence supply chain access through live tenders for those who want to enter this chain.
• High Turnover Companies That Self-Assess May Be Registered Without a Physical Visit : Manufacturers may be registered based on self-assessment of MQSR with Appendix ‘A’ without a physical assessment visit. Here, the manufacturers are those that have had an annual turnover equal to or above 200 crore during last three years. Also, they should have had at least three of last five years' recorded profit. JSG 015:2025 introduces this possibility, which was not in the 2021 version.
• MPC Revision Process Introduced : JSG 015:2025 now lays down a formal mechanism for the revision of Monthly Production Capacity (MPC) as per shift during the registration validity period. The manufacturer is required to submit the application with Appendix ‘A’ and the relevant registration fee; issuance of a revised MPC will follow a fresh evaluation within 45 days from the date of receipt of all necessary documents.
• Fee Forfeiture Clause Added : The registration fee will be seized if the applicant firm does not submit a complete Appendix ‘A’ application within 45 days of the first submission date. This provision didn’t exist in JSG 015:2021.

NCAGE code is not a random number. Its structure holds the information about the entity and its country of origin.

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Each code belongs uniquely to one entity at one location. Multi-site companies may require a different NCAGE code for each of their manufacturing locations. This is applicable for manufacturers having separate production units that supply different categories of defence equipment.

NCAGE registration is not only about obtaining the basic code. The system has three levels of recognition, with each one revealing a higher level of credibility in the defence procurement ecosystem.

• Level 1: NCAGE (Basic code): This is the code at the entry level issued by DoS after the entity’s details and documents are verified. It stands for recognising a registered manufacturer, supplier, or service provider in the defence codification system. All the entities that apply for NSN generation, IDM onboarding, or defence vendor registration under JSG 015:2025 are, by default, at this level. Firms that have recently completed MSME/Udyam Registration should move on to NCAGE as the next step.
• Level 2: NCAGE+ (Capacity-Verified Code): After obtaining and having the NCAGE verified by DoS, one can apply for NCAGE+. To do so, the manufacturer’s production capacity has to be verified independently by a DPSU or QA agency (DGQA, DGAQA, or DGNAI). The achievement of NCAGE+ means the production capability of the entity has been checked, not merely the submission of documents. For OEMs giving out authorisations, NCAGE+ is a very powerful element of credibility. It essentially communicates to the buyers that a government body has inspected and verified the manufacturing unit, defence export products, and process.
• Level 3: RUN Certificate (Raksha Udhyami Number): The RUN certificate is actually issued, with NCAGE+, upon full capacity verification of the manufacturer by the concerned QA agency or DPSU. It is the Ministry of Defence’s official consent to a verified Indian defence producer. Having a RUN certificate would, in fact, place the manufacturer in a recognised category of domestic defence producers. This, in turn, becomes very influential during tendering processes, procurement references, and export discussions. If a manufacturer already has a registration with DGQA, DGAQA, or a DPSU, then they would be eligible to directly move to NCAGE+ and RUN. Please find out more with the help of the Professional Utilities team.

The Directorate of Standardisation brings three official ways to get NCAGE registered. Each one is intended for a different type of entity.

Method 1: Through the DoS Website (Recommended for All Entities)

This is the main, government-recommended method that will work for manufacturers, vendors, service providers, and software companies.

• Visit ddpdos.gov.in
• Navigate to Codification, then NCAGE registrations, and then NCAGE online
• A blank request form appears - fill all fields marked ‘*’ (mandatory)
• Upload scanned document copies for verification
• Review, submit, and note the Request ID generated.
• DoS processes the application - a confirmation email arrives within 5 working days.

Method 2: Through the NSPA Website (For NATO - Related or Export Use)

This path operates via the NATO support and procurement agency. It is ideal for those entities whose business registration purpose is international or export-oriented.

• Visit the website
• Search organisation details - a zero result confirms no existing NCAGE
• Click “Request New” to initiate
• Fill in the seven required parameters and submit
• DoS India contacts the applicant separately to confirm reason for registration, entity type. (Manufacturer/Vendor/Service Provider) and product details supplied to defence forces.
• Submit PAN (mandatory), GST, and Udyam certificate if applicable.
• Confirmation arrives within five working days after DoS processes the request.

Method 3: Through the IDM Portal (Only for Defence Manufacturers and Suppliers)

Only Indian defence manufacturers and suppliers who have supplied or are planning to supply equipment or services to the Indian Armed Forces will be eligible for this route.

• Visit idm.gov.in and complete the full vendor profile.
• Submit registration details, including prior DPSU or QA registrations
• DoS issues the NCAGE certificate directly through this portal
• If capacity has already been verified, the QA agency or DPSU issues NCAGE+ or the RUN certificate in the same flow.

If you are a manufacturer already registered with DPSUs or QA agencies, this is the fastest way to NCAGE+.

Having your documentation ready beforehand will help avoid any holdups. A missing or incomplete submission is usually the main reason why an application gets held back.

• PAN Card (IDN)
• GST Registration Certificate (TEN)
• Udyam/Udhyog Aadhaar Certificate (PIN)
• Company Registration Certificate
• Details of defence supplies made (contract numbers and dates)

Getting an NCAGE is the first step, not the final one. After being assigned, the NCAGE is activated in the NATO codification system. Defence purchasing agencies, partner buyers, and QA can now consult and verify the entity. The IDM vendor profile is connected to it through the online vendor database. It is presently accessible on all government QA agencies’ websites. NSN applications are routed via it.

As per JSG 015:2025, eventually, most manufacturers should apply for defence vendor registration with the nearest RQAE based on the manufacturing unit’s application. Any delay in getting an NCAGE only serves to set back the whole registration process. Mostly, since ordinary registration is now limited to 45 days from the receipt of complete documents.

On the fee forfeit rule: once the application fee is paid, the company is required to submit a complete Appendix ‘A’ within 45 days from the initial submission date, failing which the fee is forfeited.

The step right after the allocation of NCAGE for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is to link it with product authorisations and vendor registrations with DPSUs. This step forms a traceable chain from the product to the NSN to the NCAGE to the verified manufacturer. Procurement agencies count on that chain when they assess an OEM authorisation.

Defence entities that are going after higher-value bids or foreign military supply chains should not hesitate to switch from NCAGE to NCAGE+ immediately. Professional Utilities are capable of showing the way.

Professional Utilities is not just a form-filling service. We are here to be a compliance partner with you throughout the defence registration process. Our experienced team collaborates closely with defence manufacturers, service providers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and suppliers who are involved in the DoS IDM RQAE and QA agency systems under JSG 015:2025. We understand the obstacles where applications get stuck and how to avert them.

• In choosing the correct NCAGE registration method for their type and purpose early, we assist our clients.
• Before submission, we help clients to itemise, check, and arrange all documents.
• For method 2 applications, we help to write the defence supply description. We monitor application status with DoS and intervene with clarification where needed.
• Additionally, we assist in connecting NCAGE to IDM onboarding and vendor registrations in DPSU or RQAE.
• We lay out the steps towards NCAGE+ and RUN certificates following the basic allotment.