PSARA License
PSARA License – Full Form, Eligibility, Procedure and Documents

In today’s world, many individuals are stepping out to initiate their own businesses or set up their own establishments. This rapid expansion of small businesses in the commercial arena has also generated a significant demand for security and safety.

Organizations that concentrate on training and offering security services are known as security agencies. At present, numerous private security agencies have been established to meet the security demands of individuals and businesses. In India, the various operations and activities of private security agencies are governed by the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PSARA).

Private Security Agency

Private security agencies (agencies) are commercial entities established to provide security services to businesses across various sectors, such as banking, information technology, finance, and industry.
 

The PSARA of 2005 was enacted to set a defined standard of professionalism within the security services sector.

Agencies are prohibited from operating legally without securing a PSARA license.

In addition to delivering security services, these agencies also provide training opportunities for individuals aspiring to pursue careers focused on security.

Eligibility Criteria Under PSARA

Regarding the kind of business organization

The entities listed below qualify for registration under the PSARA, 2005 and can acquire 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 qualifications required to serve as a Director or Principal Officer are not universally accessible. There are particular criteria that must be met to qualify for this position:-

  • 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

Securing a position as a security guard will be achievable by meeting the following criteria:-

  • 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 required documents for the application must be gathered and organized properly to guarantee efficient and seamless processing of the application, which will subsequently expedite the license acquisition process.

The documents related to the different registrations, along with the information about the promoters and directors, must be clear and presented in a readable format to prevent any discrepancies. After acquiring the documents, the application can be submitted through the online portal. The presence of the e-signing feature allows the entire process to be conducted smoothly on the online platform.

Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a training institute

The qualifying training institutes will be shown on the homepage of https://psara.gov.in.

The applicant must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a training institute to facilitate training for its candidates.

A training agency will have greater appeal and can proudly claim to employ high-quality staff.

Former service members are granted specific allowances and exemptions concerning the agency’s training requirements.

Filing of the application

After completing all the aforementioned steps, the applicant must submit the application (Form-I) to the appropriate state authority for the PSARA License. Additionally, the applicant should include Form-II for the verification of their background. An affidavit in Form-III must also be submitted alongside Form-I.

Verification is done by police

The next step in the process is police verification. This verification will occur following the submission of Form-I. In cases where the agency is a partnership or a corporation, the relevant directors must also undergo police verification.

Grant of PSARA License

When the application includes a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the police following verification, the authority will review the application and subsequently either issue the PSARA License in Form-IV or deny it, depending on the circumstances.

Time Period to Obtain a PSARA License

The duration required to secure the PSARA license is completely contingent upon the specific state authority and the efficiency with which it handles the applications. In an ideal scenario, the timeframe for the approval of the application is approximately 60 days from the date the application is received.

Appointment of Supervisors

Supervisors must be appointed by the applicant to adhere to the regulations set forth in the PSARA, 2005. These supervisors will manage and guide the agency’s operations concerning the duties of the security guards. The appointed supervisors are required to have a minimum of three years of experience in the army or navy.