Pune Business Licenses & Compliance Checklist (2025)

Introduction

Thinking about launching or scaling a business in Pune? Use this step‑by‑step local compliance checklist to stay legal, avoid penalties, and open faster whether you operate in Shivajinagar, Hinjawadi, Kothrud, Hadapsar, or PCMC limits.

2025 update (important): Maharashtra promulgated an Ordinance on Oct 1, 2025 that raises the Shops & Establishments applicability threshold from 10 to 20 workers, allows 10‑hour daily shifts (still capped at 48 hours/week), and increases quarterly overtime to 144 hours. That changes when you intimate vs register under the S&E Act.

Quick checklist (Pune)

1. Udyam (MSME) registration – free, same day, permanent URN.
2. Shops & Establishments – Intimation if <20 workers, Registration if ≥20 workers (apply online).
3. GST – required based on turnover/activity (₹40L goods, ₹20L services in most states; compulsories apply in specific cases).
4. Professional Tax (PTEC/PTRC) – state levy for businesses/employers (apply via MGSTD).
5. Municipal trade/health licences (PMC/PCMC) – restaurants, salons, lodging, nursing homes, meat/egg shops, juice/ice units, etc. Apply via PMC RTS / PCMC e‑Seva.
6. Food businesses – FSSAI (FoSCoS) license/registration.
7. Manufacturing / units with emissions/effluents – MPCB CTE/CTO (check categorisation, fee & auto‑renewal).
8. Fire NOC – as applicable (plans + inspection) via Maharashtra Fire Services / PMC RTS.
9. Import/Export – DGFT IEC (PAN‑based).
10. Single‑window help – MAITRI / DIC Pune for escalations and guidance.

Step‑by‑step (with Pune details)

1. Udyam (MSME) registration – free & fast
   Register on the official Udyam portal for a permanent URN and MSME benefits (credit, tenders, subsidies). No documentation upload required; zero fee. Keep PAN/Aadhaar/GSTIN handy. Update your profile if your turnover/investment changes. udyamregistration.gov.in
2. Shops & Establishments (S&E) — Intimation vs Registration
   Thanks to the Oct 1, 2025 Ordinance, the S&E Act now applies to establishments with 20+ workers (registration). Smaller shops/offices (<20 workers) file an intimation. Apply via the Labour Management System (LMS). PRS Legislative Research
   Nameboard rule: Display your establishment’s nameboard in Marathi (Devanagari); Marathi must appear first and not be smaller than other languages. cmai.in
3. GST registration
   GST registration is typically mandatory when aggregate turnover crosses ₹40 lakh (goods) or ₹20 lakh (services) in regular category states (lower in some special-category states). Certain activities require registration regardless of turnover (e.g., interstate supply of goods, e‑commerce operators). Apply on gst.gov.in. CBIC GST
4. Professional Tax (PTEC & PTRC)
   In Maharashtra, obtain PTEC (for the business/professional) and PTRC (if you have employees and deduct PT). Apply and pay online via mahagst.gov.in (Department of Goods & Services Tax, Govt. of Maharashtra). mahagst.gov.in
5. Municipal trade/health licences (PMC & PCMC)
   If your business is a restaurant, salon, lodging house, nursing home/clinic, meat/egg shop, juice/ice unit, etc., you need a trade/health licence from your local civic body.
   · PMC (Pune city): Use the Right to Service (RTS) portal for health‑trade licences and associated services (also signboard/“sky‑sign” licensing). services.pmc.gov.in
   · PCMC (Pimpri Chinchwad): Apply through PCMC e‑Seva / citizen services. Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
6. FSSAI (FoSCoS) for food businesses
   All FBOs (manufacturing/processing, retail, catering/HoReCa, distribution) must register/licence on FoSCoS. License type (Basic/State/Central) depends on turnover and activity. FoSCoS
7. MPCB Consent to Establish/Operate (CTE/CTO)
   Manufacturing and operations with emissions/effluents/hazardous waste require MPCB consent via the ecmpcb portal. Maharashtra also runs an auto‑renewal scheme (self‑declaration) and follows revised categorisation (Red/Orange/Green/White/Blue)—some White category activities are exempt from consent; check classification before applying. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
8. Fire NOC (where applicable)
   Many occupancies (assembly uses, hotels, high‑rises, certain industries) require Provisional/Final Fire NOC. Apply via Maharashtra Fire Services e‑Fire and/or PMC RTS; expect plan scrutiny and inspection. mahafireservice.gov.in
9. Importer‑Exporter Code (IEC)
   If you import/export goods—or export services to claim FTP benefits—obtain IEC on the DGFT portal (PAN‑based). DGFT
10. Single‑window & local help
    For complex cases (industrial setups, multiple clearances), raise a ticket with MAITRI or contact DIC Pune for coordination and escalation. Maitri

Common Pune‑specific pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Missing S&E step after the 2025 change: Many small offices (<20 workers) still try to “register” instead of filing intimation; ensure you use the correct workflow in LMS. PRS Legislative Research
• Nameboard violations: Not placing Marathi (Devanagari) first or using smaller font than English/Hindi. Fix your fascia/signage to avoid penalties.
• Trade licence blind spots: Restaurants/salons/clinics set up shop with GST but skip PMC/PCMC health‑trade licences—apply on the civic portals. services.pmc.gov.in
• MPCB category mismatch: Filing for CTE/CTO when you’re in White category (or vice versa). Check MPCB categorisation first; leverage auto‑renewal where eligible. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board

Download: 1‑page Pune compliance checklist (2025)

I’ve bundled the steps, who needs what, official portals, and notes into a clean one‑pager you can hand to your ops/admin team.

Need help assembling the docs, chasing approvals, or deciding intimation vs registration after the 2025 change? Our Business Consultant in Pune can handle end‑to‑end licensing so you can launch without delays.

FAQs