The Shop and Establishment License is a mandatory statutory registration for operating any shop, office, or commercial establishment in India. The Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License registration is governed under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, which regulates working hours, employee welfare, leave, wages, and workplace conditions.
Any individual, partnership firm, company, startup, or organization running a retail shop, wholesale business, office, factory office, hotel, restaurant, café, bar, coaching institute, hospital, clinic, IT company, or service-based establishment in Maharashtra must obtain the Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License within the prescribed period after commencing business operations.
This license acts as official legal proof of business existence and is commonly required for:
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Opening a current bank account
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GST registration
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Trade license and municipal permissions
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MSME / Udyam registration
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Business loans and government subsidies
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Participation in government tenders
To promote ease of doing business, the Government of Maharashtra provides fully online as well as offline application facilities, making registration accessible across urban, semi-urban, and rural regions.
Official Maharashtra Portal: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in
What is the Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License?
Table of Contents
The Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License is a statutory registration certificate issued by the Maharashtra Labour Department, which is responsible for enforcing labour laws and regulating commercial establishments throughout the state.
Purpose of the License
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To regulate daily and weekly working hours
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To ensure minimum wages and fair employment conditions
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To define rules for weekly holidays, overtime, and leave
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To provide legal recognition to businesses
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To maintain official employment and attendance records
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To ensure compliance with labour safety and welfare laws
Establishments Covered Under the Act
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Retail and wholesale shops
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Offices and private companies
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Hotels, lodges, restaurants, cafés, bars
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Educational institutions and coaching centres
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Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres
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IT companies and service providers
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Startups, MSMEs, and home-based businesses
The license is also required for verification under state labour welfare, pension, and social security schemes.
Eligibility Criteria for Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License
Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for the Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License:
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Age Requirement
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Applicant must be 18 years or above
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Residential / Location Requirement
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The business establishment must be physically located in Maharashtra
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Valid address proof of the business premises is mandatory
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Business Requirement
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Applicable to all commercial establishments
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Mandatory even if no employees are engaged
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Income / BPL Requirement
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No income limit for eligibility
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BPL status may be considered for fee concessions if notified by the state government
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Special Categories (If Applicable)
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Women entrepreneurs
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SC / ST / OBC / VJNT communities
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Small traders and vendors
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Startups and MSMEs
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Self-help groups
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Home-based service providers
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Documents Required for Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License Application
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying online or offline for Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License:
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Aadhaar Card of proprietor/partner/director
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PAN Card of the applicant or the business
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Passport-size photograph
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Signature of applicant
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Address proof of business premises:
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Electricity bill / Water bill
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Rent agreement / Leave & License agreement
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Property tax receipt
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Proof of ownership or tenancy
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Nature of business declaration
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Employee details (if applicable)
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Partnership deed / Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable)
How to Apply for the Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License Online Method
The Government of Maharashtra provides a robust online facility for Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License registration through its official portals.
Step-by-Step Online Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Open the official Maharashtra government or labour website: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in
Step 2: Register / Login
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Register using your mobile number and email ID
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Complete Aadhaar-based authentication (where applicable)
Step 3: Fill the Application Form
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Enter business name and complete address
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Select the nature and category of establishment
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Provide owner/employer details
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Mention the number of employees
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
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Upload scanned documents in PDF or JPEG format
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Ensure documents are clear and readable
Step 5: Submit Application
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Verify all entered details carefully
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Submit the application
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Save the application reference number
Step 6: Verification & Approval
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The application is verified by the Labour Department
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Digital Shop and Establishment License is issued after approval
Step 7: Download License
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Log in to the portal dashboard
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Download the certificate in PDF format
How to Apply for Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License Offline
Applicants who are unable to apply online can use the offline method for the Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License.
Offline Application Steps
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Visit the nearest:
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Municipal Corporation / Municipal Council
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Nagar Panchayat / Gram Panchayat
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Labour Department office
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Collect the Shop and Establishment License application form
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Fill in all required details clearly
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Attach self-attested copies of the required documents
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Submit the completed application to the concerned authority
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Obtain an acknowledgment receipt as proof of submission
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Physical inspection or verification may be conducted if required
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The license is issued after approval
Track Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License Application Status:
Applicants can track the status of their Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License application online.
How to Track Status Online
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Click on Track Application Status
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Enter:
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Application reference number
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Registered mobile number
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Application status may show:
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Submitted
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Under Verification
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Approved
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Rejected (with reason)
Renewal / Re-Verification Process
In Maharashtra, the Shop and Establishment License generally remains valid unless business details change. However, renewal or re-verification may be required in certain cases.
When Renewal or Update is Required
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Change in business address
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Change in ownership or partnership
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Change like business
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Increase or decrease in the number of employees
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Temporary or permanent closure of the establishment
Renewal / Amendment Process
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Log in to the official portal
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Select Renewal / Amendment option
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Upload updated documents
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Submit the request for approval
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: Aadhaar Name or Date of Birth Mismatch
Solution: Update Aadhaar details through the UIDAI portal before applying.
Problem: Document Upload Failure
Solution: Upload documents in PDF format and keep the file size between 200–300 KB.
Problem: Application Rejected
Solution: Read rejection remarks carefully and reapply with corrected information.
Problem: OTP Not Received
Solution: Ensure the mobile number is active and linked with Aadhaar.
Problem: Incorrect Business Category Selected
Solution: Choose the correct nature of establishment during the application.
Important Government Links
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Maharashtra Official State Portal: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in
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MyScheme Portal: https://www.myscheme.gov.in
FAQ:
Q. How to apply Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License online?
A. Apply through the official Maharashtra labour or state portal by registering and submitting documents.
Q. Is a Shop and Establishment License mandatory in Maharashtra?
A. Yes, it is mandatory for all commercial establishments.
Q. Can I download the Shop and Establishment License online?
A. Yes, approved licenses can be downloaded in PDF format.
Q. Is a license required for home-based businesses in Maharashtra?
A. Yes, if commercial activity is involved.
Q. What is the validity of the Maharashtra Shop License?
A. It remains valid unless business details change.
Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory for applying in Maharashtra?
A. Yes, Aadhaar is generally required.
Q. How long does approval take in Maharashtra?
A. Usually 7-15 working days.
Q. Is there any application fee?
A. Fees depend on business type and number of employees.
Q. Can startups and MSMEs apply online?
A. Yes, startups and MSMEs are eligible.
Q. How to correct mistakes after submission?
A. Use the amendment option or contact the Labour Office.
Conclusion:
The Maharashtra Shop and Establishment License is a critical legal requirement for operating any business in the state. It ensures compliance with labour laws, protects employee welfare, and strengthens business credibility for banking, taxation, and government services.
With online and offline application options, the Government of Maharashtra has made the registration process transparent and entrepreneur-friendly. Applicants are strongly advised to verify information only through official Maharashtra government portals and keep their license updated whenever business details change.
Always check the official Maharashtra portal for the latest notifications and updates.