Shop Act Licence in Pune in 2026: Is It Compulsory, How to Apply Online, Fees and the New 20-Worker Rule

A Shop Act licence (often called a gumasta licence) is the registration of a shop, office or other establishment under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017. Since 1 October 2025, establishments in Pune with 20 or more workers must register, while those with fewer than 20 workers only need to file a free online intimation. Both are done online through the state Labour Department’s services on Aaple Sarkar.

That change matters for most small businesses in Pune: the kirana shop in Sadashiv Peth, the café in Koregaon Park, the two-person design studio in Baner or the coaching class in Pimple Saudagar. Until September 2025, the cut-off for full registration was 10 workers. Many agent websites still quote the old rule, so it is worth checking which category you fall in before paying anyone.

Is a Shop Act licence compulsory in Maharashtra?

Some paperwork is compulsory for almost every shop or commercial establishment, but what you file depends on your staff size.

The change came through the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which took effect on 1 October 2025. The same amendment raised the daily working-hours limit from 9 to 10 hours and the quarterly overtime cap from 125 to 144 hours. The state government tabled a bill in the legislature to replace the ordinance.

Both forms must be filed within 60 days of starting the business. The Act covers shops, offices, restaurants, hotels, theatres and other commercial establishments; factories registered under the Factories Act follow a different law.

How to apply for a Shop Act licence online in Pune

1. Go to the Aaple Sarkar portal, aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in, and register or log in with your mobile number.
2. Open the Labour Department services and choose the intimation (Form F) if you have fewer than 20 workers, or registration (Form A) if you have 20 or more.
3. Enter the establishment’s name, full Pune address, nature of business, date of starting, and the number of male, female and total workers.
4. Upload the documents listed below.
5. For Form A, pay the fee online. Form F has no fee.
6. Submit and download the acknowledgement. For Form F, the acknowledgement is your proof. For Form A, the registration certificate is issued after the facilitator approves the application.
7. Display the certificate or acknowledgement at your premises.

Documents you will need

• Photo of the shop front with the name board in Marathi (Devanagari script), as Maharashtra requires
• Aadhaar and photograph of the owner or employer, and their signature
• Address proof for the premises: property tax receipt or ownership papers if you own it, or a registered rent or leave and licence agreement with the owner’s ownership proof if you rent
• Proof of the business structure: partnership deed, LLP agreement, certificate of incorporation with list of directors, or trust or society registration, as applicable
• NOC from the owner or housing society where needed

Renting your shop? A registered leave and licence agreement is one of the documents you will need. Our guide to registering a rent agreement online in Pune walks through that process.

How much does a Shop Act licence cost in Pune?

For businesses with fewer than 20 workers, the intimation is free. For registration under Form A, the fee depends on the number of workers and the period you choose for the certificate, and the portal calculates it when you apply. Check the amount shown on Aaple Sarkar before you pay, and keep the payment receipt.

Validity and renewal

A registration certificate can be issued for the period you ask for, up to 10 years, so there is no annual renewal. Apply for renewal online before it expires; late renewal attracts an extra fee. If your business name, address, ownership or worker numbers change, file the change online. If you close the business, file a closure intimation so that you are not held liable later.

Shop Act, Udyam or GST: which one do you need?

They are different registrations and one does not replace the other. The Shop Act intimation or certificate is a state labour law requirement for the establishment. Udyam registration is the central government’s MSME identity, useful for loans and schemes. GST registration depends on turnover and the type of business. Banks often accept any one of these, along with other papers, as business proof for opening a current account, so ask your bank what it wants before applying.

This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules can change through notifications; for a business with many employees or special licences (food, liquor, health), check with a professional.

Frequently asked questions