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+{{htmlmetatags>
+metatag-keywords=(apply shop establishment, gumasta registration, shop act licence, labour department registration)
+metatag-description=(Apply at state Labour Department portal. Mandatory within 30 days of starting business. Free in some states; Rs 100-2,000 in others. 7-30 days.)
+}}
+====== How to apply for Shop & Establishment Registration — Gumasta (2026) ======
+{{:social:auto:how-to-apply-shop-establishment.png?direct&1200 |How to apply for Shop & Establishment Registration — Gumasta (2026) — RTI Wiki}}
+<WRAP info>
+**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).
+</WRAP>
+===== 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 =====
+  * **Online portal:** [[https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in|State Labour portal]]
+  * **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 =====
+See our complete checklist: [[:documents:shop-establishment|Documents required for shop establishment]] — covers mandatory + optional + size/format specs.
+===== 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:
+<code>
+. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
+. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
+. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
+. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
+. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.
+</code>
+**Auto-fill the PIO details + your case:** [[:citizen-rti-playbook|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 =====
+<WRAP center round tip 90%>
+**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.
+  * **Start your application:** [[https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in|State Labour portal]]
+  * **Document checklist first:** [[:documents:shop-establishment|Required documents]]
+  * **If stuck — RTI Drafter:** [[:citizen-rti-playbook|File an RTI in 5 minutes]]
+  * **Talk to other citizens:** [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI community]]
+  * **Browse all how-to-apply guides:** [[:how-to-apply:start|All 25 application guides]]
+</WRAP>
+===== Related reading =====
+  * [[:check-status:start|How to check status — 25 high-traffic services]]
+  * [[:documents:start|Documents required — 30 checklists]]
+  * [[:state-rti-portals-directory|All state RTI portals]]
+  * [[:citizen-rti-playbook|Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios]]
+===== Sources =====
+  * Official portal: https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
+  * Citizen feedback collected via [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]] (composite, identifying details removed).
+  * Statutory references: see relevant Act sections.
+//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
+{{tag>how-to-apply shop-establishment citizen-services rti-fallback}}