Incorporation is identity; licences are permission. Which ones you need depends on what you do, where you do it and how big you are.

The common stack

  • GST registration — when thresholds or activities require it
  • Shop & establishment registration — most premises-based businesses, per state rules
  • Professional tax — registration and employee deductions in applicable states
  • FSSAI — anything touching food, tiered by scale
  • Trade licence — from the local municipal body for many trades
  • Import Export Code — for cross-border goods trade

Sector add-ons

Drugs, healthcare, education, finance, alcohol, logistics and manufacturing each carry their own regulator and licence set; factories and pollution consents apply past defined scales.

Sequencing sensibly

Entity first, then tax registrations, then premises-linked licences, then sector approvals. Many licences ask for the earlier documents — order saves rework.

Renewals are the silent killer

Most licences expire. A renewal calendar with owner-assigned dates prevents operating unlicensed by accident.

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