The Shop and Establishment License is a mandatory legal registration required to operate any shop, office, or commercial establishment in India. The Punjab Shop and Establishment License registration is governed under the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, which regulates working hours, wages, leave, weekly holidays, overtime, and overall employee welfare.
Any individual, partnership firm, company, startup, self-employed professional, or organization running a retail shop, wholesale outlet, office, factory office, hotel, restaurant, dhaba, café, coaching institute, hospital, clinic, pharmacy, IT company, or service-based establishment in Punjab must obtain the Punjab Shop and Establishment License within the prescribed time after commencing business operations.
This license works as official legal proof of business existence and is essential for:
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Opening a current bank account
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GST registration
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Trade or municipal license approval
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MSME / Udyam registration
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Business loans and subsidies
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Participation in government tenders and schemes
To improve ease of doing business, the Government of Punjab provides both online and offline application facilities, making the process accessible for urban, semi-urban, and rural entrepreneurs.
Official Punjab State Portal: https://punjab.gov.in
What is a Punjab Shop and Establishment License?
Table of Contents
The Punjab Shop and Establishment License is a statutory registration certificate issued by the Punjab Labour Department, which is responsible for enforcing labour laws and regulating commercial establishments across 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 offs, overtime, and leave
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To provide legal recognition to businesses
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To maintain official employment 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 firms
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Hotels, lodges, restaurants, cafés, dhabas
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Educational institutions and coaching centres
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Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres
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Industrial and factory offices
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IT and service-sector companies
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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 Punjab Shop and Establishment License
Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for the Shop and Establishment License in Punjab:
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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 Punjab
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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 communities
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Small traders and shopkeepers
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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 Punjab Shop and Establishment License Application
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying for Punjab Shop and Establishment License online or offline:
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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 or ownership document
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Property tax receipt (if available)
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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 Punjab Shop and Establishment License Online Method
The Government of Punjab provides an online facility for Punjab Shop and Establishment License registration through the official state and labour portals.
Step-by-Step Online Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Open the official Punjab government website: https://punjab.gov.in
Step 2: Register / Login
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Register using your mobile number or email ID
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Complete Aadhaar-based authentication, if enabled
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 (if any)
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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Review all 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 the Punjab Shop and Establishment License Offline
Applicants who cannot apply online may use the offline method for Punjab Shop and Establishment License.
Offline Application Steps
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Visit the nearest:
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Municipal Corporation / Municipality
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Nagar Panchayat / Gram Panchayat office
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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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Receive 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 Punjab Shop and Establishment License Application Status
Applicants can track the status of their Punjab Shop and Establishment License application online.
How to Track Status Online
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Visit https://punjab.gov.in
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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 appear as:
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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
The Punjab Shop and Establishment License generally remains valid unless business details change. However, renewal or re-verification may be required in certain situations.
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: Select the correct nature of establishment during application.
Important Government Links
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Punjab Official State Portal: https://punjab.gov.in
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MyScheme Portal (Central Government Schemes): https://www.myscheme.gov.in
FAQ
Q. How to apply Punjab Shop and Establishment License online?
A. Apply through the official Punjab portal by registering and submitting the application with documents.
Q. Is the Shop and Establishment License mandatory in Punjab?
A. Yes, it is compulsory for all commercial establishments.
Q. Can I download the Punjab 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 Punjab?
A. Yes, if any commercial activity is carried out.
Q. What is the validity of the Punjab Shop License?
A. It remains valid unless business details change.
Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory for applying in Punjab?
A. Yes, Aadhaar is generally required for identity verification.
Q. How long does approval take in Punjab?
A. Usually 7–15 working days, depending on verification.
Q. Is there any application fee in Punjab?
A. Fees depend on business type and number of employees.
Q. Can startups and MSMEs apply online in Punjab?
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 Punjab Shop and Establishment License is a crucial legal requirement for operating any business in the state. It ensures compliance with labour laws, protects employee welfare, and enhances business credibility for banking, taxation, and government services.
With online and offline application options, the Government of Punjab has made the registration process transparent and accessible for entrepreneurs across the state. Applicants are strongly advised to verify all information only through official Punjab government portals and keep their license updated whenever business details change.
Always check the official Punjab portal for the latest notifications, rules, and updates.