PSARA Certificate in India: Complete Guide for Private Security Agencies

• A PSARA Certificate is mandatory to legally operate a private security agency in India under the PSARA Act.
• PSARA registration is state-wise, document-heavy, and compliance-driven—one mistake can delay approval by months.
• With the right preparation, PASARA licence approval is achievable within 45–60 days

Introduction

The regulation of private security companies in India happens through a rigorous process of law established by the 2005 Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act that requires any service provider offering security guard and supervisory personnel services to also obtain a PSARA Certificate. To become registered as a PSARA approved organisation, a security company must apply with each individual state to go through an extensive approval process involving police verification, compliance with a training programme, and background checks. In order for a private security company to continue to operate legally under PASARA, it must be able to maintain high standards of operations and hold itself to an ethical point of view, therefore providing a safe environment for the employee as well as the customers of the organisation.

What Is a PSARA Certificate?

A PSARA Certificate is the official licence issued by the state government permitting a company to operate as a private security agency. It derives from the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, which governs training, deployment, verification, and conduct of private security personnel in India.

PSARA Registration vs PASARA Licence – Clearing the Confusion

Clients often ask whether PSARA registration and PASARA licence are different. Practically, they refer to the same approval.

• PSARA registration → The application and compliance process
• PASARA licence → The final approval/certificate issued
• PSARA Certificate → The licence document you receive

Search behaviour varies, but legally, all roads lead to the same requirement.

What Is PSARA Registration?

PSARA Registration is the formal application process through which an agency applies for permission to operate.

It involves:

• Company verification
• Director background checks
• Police department clearance
• Training affiliation validation

Each state has its own Controlling Authority, meaning PSARA Registration is state-wise, not centralised.

Who Needs a PSARA Certificate?

If your business involves human security services, PSARA applies.

Covered Activities

• Security guards (armed or unarmed)
• Bouncers and supervisors
• Event and corporate security manpower
• Industrial, residential, hospital security staff

Not Covered

• CCTV installation (without manpower)
• Alarm systems or surveillance software only
• Facility management (without security guards)

Who Cannot Apply for PSARA Licence

Not every individual or entity is eligible to obtain a PSARA Licence. The law clearly restricts certain persons and organisations from applying for PSARA Registration to ensure security and public safety.

Individuals / Directors Who Are Not Eligible

• Persons not citizens of India
• Individuals convicted for offences involving moral turpitude
• Persons facing serious criminal charges or with adverse police records
• Individuals declared insolvent or of unsound mind

Business Entities That Cannot Apply

• Entities controlled by foreign nationals
• Firms with directors or partners having disqualifying criminal backgrounds
• Businesses using virtual offices or without a physical office in the state

Other Disqualifications

• Applicants who previously had a PSARA Licence cancelled or suspended due to non-compliance
• Entities providing security services without mandatory training arrangements
• Applicants submitting false or misleading information during verification

Why PSARA Certificate Is Mandatory 

State police and labour departments actively verify PSARA compliance during:

• Client audits
• Police verification of guards
• Tender participation
• Corporate onboarding checks

Operating without a PASARA licence can lead to:

• Immediate shutdown
• Financial penalties
• Blacklisting from government contracts
• Criminal liability in case of incidents

State-Wise Nature of PSARA Registration

One of the most misunderstood aspects: PSARA is state-specific.

If you operate in:

• Karnataka + Tamil Nadu → Two PSARA licences
• Delhi + Haryana → Two separate approvals

Each state has:

• Its own controlling authority
• Slightly different document expectations
• Local police verification requirements

Eligibility Criteria for PSARA Registration

1. Business Constitution

• Private Limited Company
• LLP
• Partnership Firm
• Proprietorship (allowed in some states)

2. Indian Ownership

• Majority directors/partners must be Indian citizens
• No criminal background

3. Registered Office

• Physical office in the state of application
• Rent agreement or ownership proof mandatory

Detailed Documents Required for PSARA Certificate

Company Documents

• Certificate of Incorporation / Registration
• PAN, GST
• MOA & AOA (security activity clearly mentioned)
• Office address proof

Management Documents

• Directors’/Partners’ Aadhaar & PAN
• Police verification certificates
• Affidavits as per PSARA format

Operational Documents

• MOU with approved training institute
• Uniform pattern approval
• Employee verification procedure
• Financial statements or net worth proof

Step-by-Step PSARA Registration Process

Step 1: Pre-Application Assessment

• State rules mapping
• Document gap analysis
• Training partner identification

Step 2: Application Filing

• State Home Department submission
• Online or offline (state dependent)

Step 3: Police Verification

• Directors/partners background check
• Office inspection (in many states)

Step 4: Authority Review

• Queries, corrections, clarifications
• Final approval by Controlling Authority

Step 5: PASARA Licence Issuance

• Licence issued for 1–5 years
• Display mandatory at office premises

Validity & Renewal of PSARA Certificate

The PSARA Certificate is issued for a limited period and must be renewed on time to continue operating a private security agency legally in India.

Validity

• In most states, the PSARA Certificate is valid for 3 years
• In some states, it may be issued for 1 year
• The licence is state-specific and valid only in the issuing state
  

Renewal Timeline

• Renewal should be applied 60–90 days before expiry
• Delayed renewal can lead to suspension or expiry of the licence
  

Renewal Process

• Submission of renewal application to the same state authority
• Fresh police verification of directors and office
• Review of compliance records (guards, training, uniforms, wages)
• Issuance of renewed PSARA Certificate after approval
  

Consequences of Non-Renewal

• Licence suspension or cancellation
• Illegal operation risk
• Loss of client contracts and tenders

PSARA Certificate Fees & Government Charges

The PSARA Certificate fees include government charges and professional service fees, which vary from state to state.

Government Charges

Application fees are decided by the respective State Government

The amount depends on:

• State rules and notifications
• Validity period of the licence
• Type of applicant (company, partnership, proprietorship)
  

Government charges are payable at the time of application

• Once paid, these charges are not adjustable, transferable, or refundable, even if the application is rejected or not processed
  

Professional / Consultancy Fees

Consultancy fees depend on:

• Fresh registration or renewal
• Number of directors or partners
• Documentation and police verification requirements
  

Important Note
Government charges are treated as statutory fees. Any amount paid to the authority is considered utilised upon submission, regardless of the final outcome.

Timeline for PSARA Certificate Approval

Average Total: 45–60 days (state dependent)

Why Choose Diligence Certification for PSARA Certificate / PSARA Registration / PASARA Licence

When it comes specifically to PSARA, selection of the right consultant matters because approvals depend on police verification, state authority practices, and document precision—not just form filing. Here is an informative, certificate-focused explanation:

1. State-Wise PSARA Expertise (Critical Factor)

PSARA is not a central licence. Each state follows different:

• Affidavit formats
• Police verification procedures
• Training institute acceptance rules

Diligence Certification prepares state-specific PSARA applications, reducing rejection risk.

2. Police Verification–Ready Documentation

Most PSARA rejections happen during police verification, not application filing.
We ensure:

• Clean director disclosures
• Proper antecedent declarations
• Address & ID consistency across documents

This avoids adverse police remarks that can permanently block approval.

3. Training Institute & MOU Validation

PSARA mandates tie-up with recognised training institutes.
Diligence Certification verifies:

• State acceptance of training partner
• Correct MOU format
• Validity for inspection

Incorrect training MOUs are one of the top PSARA rejection reasons.

4. Correct Affidavit & Format Compliance

PSARA authorities are strict on:

• Stamp value
• Language
• Clause wording

We draft authority-compliant affidavits, not generic templates, ensuring legal acceptance.

5. Reduced Approval Time Through Error Prevention

PSARA delays usually occur due to:

• Document mismatches
• Wrong forms
• Re-submission after objections

By filing correctly the first time, Diligence Certification helps achieve faster and smoother approvals.

6. Support for First-Time & Rejected Applicants

We regularly handle:

• First-time PSARA applicants
• Previously rejected applications
• Multi-state PSARA expansion cases

This experience helps anticipate objections before authorities raise them.

7. Post-Approval Compliance Guidance

After PSARA Certificate issuance, agencies must maintain:

• Guard records
• Training compliance
• Renewal timelines

We guide clients on ongoing PSARA compliance, preventing suspension or cancellation.

8. Transparent, Legal, Audit-Safe Process

No shortcuts, no risky practices.
Every PSARA application is:

• Legally defensible
• Inspection-ready
• Safe for corporate audits and tenders

Conclusion

Getting a PSARA Certificate is more than just a regulatory guideline; it’s the legal basis by which all Private Security Agencies operate in India. From PSARA Registration through to the issuance of your PASARA Licence; each stage requires police verification, as well as state-specific rules and documentation review. Even minor errors at any stage can result in denials, delays or long-term violations of your programme.This is where Diligence Certification provides significant value. By managing PSARA application processes with precise attention to state law, police ready documentation and compliance-first procedures, Diligence Certification will provide Security Agencies with approval that is not only obtained, but will remain in place when inspected or renewed throughout audits.If you are serious about creating a legally compliant and scalable Security Agency, the selection of the correct PSARA Consultancy is as vital as meeting the eligibility criteria to begin with. At Diligence Certification, the expertise and structured implementation of your PSARAs Compliance process can convert compliance into an advantage to foster growth and development—not into recurring risk.

Frequently asked questions