The Shop and Establishment License is a mandatory statutory registration required for running any shop, office, or commercial establishment in India. The Gujarat Shop and Establishment License registration is governed under the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, which regulates working hours, wages, holidays, leave rules, and employee welfare.
Any individual, partnership firm, company, startup, or organization operating a retail shop, wholesale business, office, factory office, hotel, restaurant, coaching centre, hospital, clinic, IT service unit, or home-based commercial activity in Gujarat must obtain the Gujarat Shop and Establishment License within the prescribed time after starting business operations.
This license acts as legal proof of business existence and is widely required for:
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Opening a current bank account
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GST registration
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Trade license approval
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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 make compliance easy, the Government of Gujarat offers online as well as offline application facilities for business owners across urban and rural areas.
Official Gujarat Portal: https://www.gujaratindia.gov.in
What is the Gujarat Shop and Establishment License?
Table of Contents
The Gujarat Shop and Establishment License is a statutory registration certificate issued by the Gujarat Labour and Employment 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 employee welfare
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To define rules related to holidays 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 and safety 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
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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 used for verification under state labour welfare, pension, and social security schemes.
Eligibility Criteria for Gujarat Shop and Establishment License
Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for the Gujarat 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 Gujarat
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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
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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 vendors
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Startups and MSMEs
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Home-based service providers
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Documents Required for Gujarat Shop and Establishment License Application
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying for the Gujarat 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 / Rent agreement / 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 Gujarat Shop and Establishment License Online Method
The Government of Gujarat provides an online facility for Shop and Establishment registration through the official state and labour portals.
Step-by-Step Online Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Open the official Gujarat government website: https://www.gujaratindia.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
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 Labour Department verifies the application
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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 Gujarat Shop and Establishment License Offline:
Applicants who cannot apply online may use the offline method.
Offline Application Steps
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Visit the nearest:
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Municipal Corporation / Municipality
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Nagar Palika / 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 manually
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Attach self-attested copies of documents
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Submit the completed form 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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License is issued after approval
Track Gujarat Shop and Establishment License Application Status
Applicants can track the status of the Gujarat 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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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
In Gujarat, the Shop and Establishment License generally remains valid unless business details change. However, renewal or re-verification may be required in specific 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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Closure of the establishment
Renewal / Amendment Process
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Log in to the official portal
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Selectthe 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: Check 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 while filling the application form.
Important Government Links
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Gujarat Official State Portal: https://www.gujaratindia.gov.in
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MyScheme Portal: https://www.myscheme.gov.in
FAQ:
Q. How to apply Gujarat Shop and Establishment License online?
A. Visit the official Gujarat portal, register, fill the application form, upload documents, and submit.
Q. Is the Shop and Establishment License mandatory in Gujarat?
A. Yes, it is compulsory for all commercial establishments.
Q. Can I download the Shop and Establishment License online in Gujarat?
A. Yes, once approved, the license can be downloaded in PDF format.
Q. Is a license required for home-based businesses in Gujarat?
A. Yes, if any commercial activity is carried out.
Q. What is the validity of the Gujarat Shop License?
A. It remains valid unless business details change.
Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory for applying in Gujarat?
A. Yes, Aadhaar is generally required for identity verification.
Q. How long does approval take in Gujarat?
A. Usually 7–15 working days, depending on verification.
Q. Is there any application fee for a Gujarat Shop License?
A. Fees depend on business type and number of employees.
Q. Can startups and MSMEs apply online in Gujarat?
A. Yes, startups and MSMEs are fully eligible.
Q. How to correct mistakes after submission?
A. Use the amendment option on the portal or contact the Labour Office.
Conclusion:
The Gujarat 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 strengthens business credibility for banking, taxation, and government services.
With both online and offline application options, the Government of Gujarat has made the registration process transparent and accessible. Applicants are strongly advised to verify all information only through official Gujarat government portals and keep their license updated whenever business details change.
Always check the official Gujarat portal for the latest notifications, rules, and updates.