# PSARA Licence for Private Security Agencies

> No one can run a private security agency or provide security guards without a licence from the state Controlling Authority under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. The applicant must be an Indian-controlled entity, its directors or partners must clear police verification, and it must have a tie-up with an approved training institute. The licence is valid for five years, and the fee depends on whether you operate in one district, several, or the whole state.

Practice: Business Licences & Registrations — https://www.industax.com/services/business-licences/

Most PSARA delays come from police verification of the principal officer and directors, and from training arrangements. We plan the entity, prepare the application and supporting affidavits, and coordinate the training tie-up and verification.

After licensing, agencies must keep registers, train and verify guards, issue photo identity cards and comply with labour laws — PF, ESIC, minimum wages and the labour codes — which we can manage alongside.

## Key facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Law | Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005 |
| Authority | State Controlling Authority |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Requirement | Training tie-up and police verification |
| Fee basis | Area of operation (district to whole state) |

## Who needs this

- New security guard agencies
- Facility management firms providing guards
- Agencies expanding to new states

## What's included

- Entity and eligibility review
- Application and affidavits
- Training tie-up coordination
- Post-licence labour compliance

## Documents

- Entity registration documents
- KYC and photographs of directors/partners
- Training institute MoU
- Office address proof

## Process

1. **Prepare** — Entity, training tie-up and documents ready.
2. **Apply** — Application filed; police verification.
3. **Licence** — Licence granted for 5 years.

## FAQs

### Can a foreign-owned company get a PSARA licence?

The Act restricts foreign participation in private security agencies; the applicant must meet the ownership conditions in the Act and the FDI policy, which caps foreign investment in the sector.

### Do I need a separate licence for each state?

Yes. PSARA licences are issued by each state's Controlling Authority and are valid only in that state.

### What training must guards receive?

Guards must complete the training prescribed by the state rules at an approved institute, and agencies must keep training and verification records.

## Official sources

- PSARA licensing portal (MHA): https://www.psara.gov.in/

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Canonical page: https://www.industax.com/services/business-licences/psara-licence
Publisher: Indus Tax — CA-led tax and compliance firm (https://www.industax.com). Contact: info@industax.com, 9059139258.
This is general information, not advice for your specific facts.