Key Features of PSARA License:
- Mandatory to start a security agency
- Only Citizens of India can apply
- One state one licence
- Set guidelines for a security agency
- Builds Trust and Reliability
Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PSARA)
The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 is a vital law in India to regulate private security agencies in India. It was enforced on the 14th of March 2006. The act is supported by the Private Security Agencies Central Model Rules, 2006, providing implementation guidelines. Each state designates an officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary, as the controlling authority for private security agencies.
Psara License Validity: A PSARA License remains valid for five years from the date of issuance. To renew the license, agencies must apply 45 days before its expiry. If the license expires, a new license will have to be obtained by filing a fresh application. Compliance with the renewal provisions is crucial to avoid penalties, suspension, or revocation of the license.
Eligibility Criteria under PSARA
In terms of the type of business organisation
The following entities are eligible to register under the PSARA, 2005 and obtain a PSARA license:-
- Sole Proprietorship,
- One Person Company,
- Partnership Firm,
- LLP,
- Association of Persons, and
- Private Limited Company.
In terms of the role of a Director/Principal Officer
The eligibility to be a Director/Principal Officer is not one that is open to all. There are specific criteria to be fulfilled in order to be eligible for the same:-
- Must have Indian citizenship.
- Must have attained at least 18 years of age.
- Must possess adequate financial resources to bear the business expenses.
- Must not have any convictions against him whatsoever.
In terms of the role of a Security Guard
Landing the role of a security guard will be plausible on ticking the following boxes:-
- Must have Indian citizenship.
- Must be an individual between the ages of 18 and 65.
- Must have acquired prior training.
- Must not be terminated from any government service, in any case.
- Must measure up to all the desired physical attributes.
- Assurance regarding the character of the individual has to be provided.
Documents Necessary for Obtaining a PSARA License
- The following registration certificates:
- PAN
- GSTIN
- Provident Fund Registration
- ESIC (Employees State Insurance Corporation) Registration
- Registration under Shops and Commercial Establishments Act
- Registration under the Labour Act
- Proof of identity of the directors and the employees
- Copies of the Income Tax Returns of the Directors
- Two passport size photographs of the promoters along with their PANs
- Proof of address of the Agency Office
- Affidavit as under Section 7 (2) of PSARA, 2005
- Security training affidavit
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the training institute
Procedure to Obtain a PSARA License
Organise all the necessary documents
The documents necessary for the application have to be collected and sorted accordingly in order to ensure quick and smooth processing of the application, which will, in turn, speed up the process of obtaining the license.
The documents pertaining to the various registrations as well as the details of the promoters and directors have to be clear and in a legible format so as to avoid any discrepancy. Once the documents are obtained, the application can be made on the online portal. The availability of the e-signing feature enables the entire process to be carried out seamlessly on the online portal itself.
Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a training institute
The eligible training institutes will be displayed on the home page of https://psara.gov.in. The applicant has to enter into an MoU with a training institute so as to be able to provide training to its candidates.
An agency that provides training will offer more of an appeal and will be able to boast high-quality employees. Ex-servicemen are offered a certain amount of relaxation and exemption with regard to the training aspects of the agency.
Filing of the application
Once all the steps mentioned above are completed, the applicant will have to file the application (Form-I) with the respective state authority for PSARA License. The applicant should also enclose Form-II for verification of its antecedents. Affidavit in Form-III needs to be accompanied along with Form-I.
Verification is done by police
Police verification is the next step in the process. This verification will be done after the filing of Form-I. Where the agency is a partnership or a company, the respective directors will have to go for the police verification as well.
Grant of PSARA License
Where the application is accompanied by a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the police after verification, the authority will examine the application and then proceed to either grant the PSARA License in Form-IV or reject the same, as the case may be.