PSARA License - Private Security Agency License
Private security agencies (agencies) are business establishments formed with the purpose of offering security services to businesses in various sector, including banking, information technology, finance, industries and the like.
PSARA, 2005 was introduced so as to establish a certain standard of professionalism in the field of security services. Agencies cannot lawfully exist without obtaining a PSARA license. These agencies not only provide security services but also offer the option of training potential candidates for their security-centric careers.
Get your PSARA License in the fastest possible manner.
It usually takes 50 to 60 working days, depending upon government approval.
PSARA License
- Businesses looking to get PSARA License.
Preparation of Documents and filing with department
- 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
Need for PSARA License
The world we live in at present is one where various individuals are venturing out to commence their own businesses or set up their own establishments. This meteoric rise of small businesses in the commercial space has also led to the need for security and safety.
Businesses that specialise in training and providing security services are called security agencies. Today, there are numerous private security agencies established to cater to the security needs of individuals and businesses alike. In India, all the operations and activities of the various private security agencies come under the watchful eye of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PSARA).
Benefits for Obtaining PSARA License
Benefits for Obtaining PSARA License
Amidst the increased crime rate, the concern for security is also rising; thus, the need for private security services is also increasing. With an end goal of protecting solitary or anti-national components are going into business. Therefore, to support such organizations, the government has put up measures like the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act to benefit, arrange and monitor the working of these agencies.
Under the guidelines of this act, no individual or private security agency is allowed to run a business of providing security services to other private business establishments, individual or property. Therefore, the government works as a medium for providing licenses to such agencies, ensuring their compliance with the guidelines of the Act.
Moreover, obtaining a license under this act serves as proof that the organization conforms to all the guidelines of the PSARA and runs in consonance with those regulations. Furthermore, the agency holding a Certificate of Registration under the PSARA is more reliable in the eyes of their potential customer.
- Empowers the training company
- Attracts more customers
- Avoid denial of rights and services
- Helps in gaining the trust of potential customer
- Increases credibility of agency
- Ensures the smooth functioning of the organization
Eligibility Criteria Under PSARA
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.
Procedure to Obtain a PSARA License
Procedure to Obtain a PSARA License
Organize 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 psara 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.
Time Period to Obtain a PSARA License
Time Period to Obtain a PSARA License
The time period taken to obtain the PSARA license is entirely dependent on the particular state authority and the quickness with which it processes the applications. Ideally, the time period for the grant of the application is roughly 60 days from the date of receiving the application.
Appointment of Supervisors
Appointment of Supervisors
Supervisors are to be appointed by the applicant in order to comply with the provisions of the PSARA, 2005. The supervisors shall oversee and direct the operations of the agency in relation to the work of the security guards. The supervisors so appointed must be individuals who possess at least three years of work experience in the army or the navy.
Conditions in which your application may get disqualified
Conditions in which your application may get disqualified
Your application may get rejected or disqualified if the government sees it unfit for the betterment of the general public, so keep in mind these points to avoid that situation. If the proposed director of the security agency lies under any of the following categories, it will lead to disqualification.
A person or entity should not be the one that is convicted with an offence of promoting, forming or managing a company which is included in an undischarged insolvent.
Also, the person or entity should not be one who has been convicted with any crime for which the prescribed punishment is imprisonment, not less than two years.
Furthermore, if the applicant is found keeping links with an organization or firm which is banned by the government under any law on account of their corrupt activities, he would not be granted the license. Moreover, such organizations or firms dismissed or removed by the government on the grounds of misconduct, or moral turpitude. A company, firm, or association not registered in India, has a proprietor or significant shareholder, partner, or director who is not a citizen of India, is not considered for the issuance of the license under the provided Act.
Note: - Private Security Agency refers to an individual or a group of individuals, involved in a business of providing security services. However, these security service providers are privately owned firms other than the government agencies, department, or organization. Furthermore, these private firms are involved in providing security services to other organizations, business, or a person or property. Also, they provide training to private security guards or their supervisors.
Guidelines for Renewal of PSARA License
Guidelines for Renewal of PSARA License
A PSARA License is valid for five years from the date of issuance of the license. However, in the state of Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, this license is valid for one year. Furthermore, the license after its expiry needs to be renewed; for the same, the following steps needs to be taken:
- The applicant needs to apply for the renewal of their license not less than 90 days before the expiry date of the license.
- The application must be submitted along with the documents as specified under Sections 6, 7, and 11 of PSARA with the prescribed fees.
Compliances as Per the PSARA
Compliances as Per the PSARA
Under the PSARA guidelines, the private security agencies are required to follow certain compliances as follows:
- All private security agencies should hire supervisors to supervise the working of guards appointed in the organization
- These agencies are obliged to train the security guards appointed in their firm
- PSAs should give priority to ex-defence candidates holding three years of experience
- The PSAs need to follow every criteria, qualification, and disqualification specified under the PSARA
- According to PSARA, security guards must follow the prescribed uniform policy
