How to apply for Shop & Establishment Registration — Gumasta (2026)
Quick answer: Shop & Establishment Act registration (popularly Gumasta in Maharashtra) is mandatory for any commercial establishment within 30 days of starting. State-specific Acts; central framework similar. Free in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi for small estd; Rs 100-2,000 elsewhere depending on employees + business type. Issued by State Labour Department. Different from Trade Licence (which is municipal).
Who can apply (eligibility)
Any shop, commercial establishment, residential hotel, restaurant, eating house, theatre
Has at least one employee OR self-employed proprietor
Operating within state where applying
Step-by-step process
Find your state Labour portal — MH: aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in (Gumasta) · KA: labour.karnataka.gov.in · TN: labour.tn.gov.in · Delhi: labour.delhi.gov.in. Most states have Shram Suvidha integration.
Sign up + verify — Mobile + email OTP.
Fill Form A — Establishment name, owner name, address, nature of business, date of commencement, number of employees, weekly off, hours.
Upload documents — PAN, Aadhaar, premises proof, owner photo, list of employees with photo + ID (>0 employees).
Pay fee online — Free in some states. Rs 100-2,000 in others by employee count.
Submit + receive ARN — Track on portal.
Approval — Most states: auto-approval if all docs valid (no inspection needed). Issuance 7-15 days.
Display certificate — Mandatory at premises. Has unique establishment number.
Renewal — Annual or 5-year (state-specific). MH Gumasta: 5 years.
Where to apply, fee, and timeline
-
Offline: Labour Department office, CSC. Or CA / consultant (avoid agent fee).
Fee: Free in KA, TN, Delhi (small estd) · Rs 100-2,000 in other states
Timeline: 7-15 days for issuance (auto-approval in most states)
What documents to keep ready
Common issues + how to handle
Different state laws — what's called Shop Act in TN is Gumasta in MH. Same purpose; different forms.
Owner photo missing — proprietor photo + signature mandatory; rejected without.
Employee list incomplete — even if zero employees, declare “Nil”; do not skip the field.
Renewal forgotten — penalty + may face inspection. Set reminder for renewal date.
If your application is delayed or rejected — file an RTI
Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:
1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.
Auto-fill the PIO details + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →
Frequently asked questions
Shop & Estd vs Trade Licence — both needed?
Generally yes — Shop Act = labour department (worker welfare); Trade Licence = municipal (permission to operate).
Home-based business needs it?
If you have walk-in customers / employees / commercial signage: yes. Pure online (single proprietor): not always.
Free states — what's the catch?
Free for establishments < 9 employees. Larger get standard fee.
Validity?
MH Gumasta: 5 years. Most other states: annual or 3 years. Renew on time.
Application stuck > 15 days?
File RTI to State Labour Commissioner + RCT (Registering Authority).
Summary + what to do next
Bottom line: Apply at State Labour portal (https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in). Fee: Free in KA, TN, Delhi (small estd) · Rs 100-2,000 in other states. Timeline: 7-15 days for issuance (auto-approval in most states). If delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI — most cases clear within 15 days.
Sources
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.