The Shop and Establishment License is a mandatory statutory registration required to operate any shop, office, or commercial establishment in India. The Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License registration is governed under the Meghalaya Shops and Establishments Act, which regulates working hours, employment conditions, wages, weekly holidays, leave provisions, and employee welfare.
Any individual, partnership firm, company, startup, self-employed person, or organization running a retail shop, wholesale outlet, office, hotel, restaurant, café, coaching institute, hospital, clinic, pharmacy, tourism-related business, or service-based establishment in Meghalaya must obtain the Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License within the prescribed time after commencing business operations.
This license acts as official 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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Municipal or 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 state and central government schemes
To promote ease of doing business in hill and tribal regions, the Government of Meghalaya allows both online and offline application modes, ensuring accessibility for entrepreneurs across urban, rural, and remote areas.
Official Meghalaya State Portal: https://meghalaya.gov.in
What is the Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License?
Table of Contents
The Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License is a statutory registration certificate issued by the Meghalaya 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 practices
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To define rules related to 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
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Educational institutions and coaching centres
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Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres
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Tourism and hospitality units
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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 Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License
Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for the Meghalaya 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 Meghalaya
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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 communities
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Tribal entrepreneurs
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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 Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License Application
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying 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 Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License Online Method
The Government of Meghalaya 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 Meghalaya government website: https://meghalaya.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 Meghalaya 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 Board / Municipal Council
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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 Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License Application Status
Applicants can track the status of their Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License application online.
How to Track Status Online
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Visit https://meghalaya.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:
In Meghalaya, 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: Select the correct nature of establishment during application.
Important Government Links
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Meghalaya Official State Portal: https://meghalaya.gov.in
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MyScheme Portal: https://www.myscheme.gov.in
FAQ:
Q. How to apply Meghalaya Shop and Establishment License online?
A. Apply through the official Meghalaya portal by registering and submitting the application form with documents.
Q. Is the Shop and Establishment License mandatory in Meghalaya?
A. Yes, it is compulsory 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 Meghalaya?
A. Yes, if commercial activity is involved.
Q. What is the validity of the Meghalaya Shop License?
A. It remains valid unless business details change.
Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory for applying in Meghalaya?
A. Yes, Aadhaar is generally required for identity verification.
Q. How long does approval take in Meghalaya?
A. Usually 7-15 working days, depending on verification.
Q. Is there any application fee?
A. Fees depend on business type and number of employees.
Q. Can startups and MSMEs apply online in Meghalaya?
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 Meghalaya 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 online and offline application options, the Government of Meghalaya has made the registration process transparent and accessible for entrepreneurs across the state, including remote and tribal areas. Applicants are strongly advised to verify all information only through official Meghalaya government portals and keep their license updated whenever business details change.
Always check the official Meghalaya portal for the latest notifications, rules, and updates