Eligibility Criteria and Required Documents for PSARA License

PSARA stands for Private Security Agencies Regulation Act, 2005. This Act came into force on 14^th March 2006. It is enacted to regulate the private security agencies and the matters concerned with it. In this article, we shall discuss about eligibility criteria and required documents for PSARA License in detail.

Why do we need PSARA?

With the increase in the number of offices, the demand for security guards has increased tremendously. More private security agencies are coming up and thus regulating and monitoring these agencies. Private security administrations interest has expanded consistently among the general population to protect against the diverse sorts of wrongdoing.  Legislature has provided the development and activity of those offices through a demonstration called the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA), 2005, as it involves national security.

The main aim of the said Act was to improve the operation of the private security agencies in India. Apart from this, the Act ensures compliance to be maintained and list of documents for PSARA License along with the registration requirements related to obtaining the PSARA License.

Provisions related to PSARA License

The Private Security Agencies Act, 2005 is the main regulation for private security agencies engaged in providing training to security guards. As per the Act, any agency involving itself in the business of securities has to obtain the license under the PSARA Act, 2005^[1] by submitting the required documents for PSARA License.

Section 4 of the PSARA Act, 2005, no agency can engage itself in the business of a private security agency unless it holds the license under the Act.

The applicant should apply to the authority of the respective state where the applicant is residing. The requirement varies from state to state. There is no central scheme for this form of license.

The legitimacy of the PSARA license is five years and can be re-established for the next five years on an instalment of the recommended expense.

Activities covered under the PSARA

• Formation of securities agencies;
• Training of security guards;
• Regulation of securities agencies;
• Eligibility criteria;
• Disqualification of securities agencies;
• Grant of license; and
• Renewal of license.

Eligibility criteria to apply under the PSARA Act, 2005

There is a specific eligibility criterion that any aspirants must fulfil to obtain this license.

The following are eligible under the PSARA Act, 2005 are:

1. Eligibility criteria for companies

Any company that wants to register under the PSARA License need to register itself as:

• Private Limited Company
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
• One Person Company (OPC)
• Sole Proprietorship
• Partnership Firm.

2. Eligibility criteria for Director/Officer

• The director must be a resident of India and;
•  18 years of age;
• The director must be financially stable to afford the cost of operations;
• No criminal records.

3. Eligibility criteria for becoming a Private Security Guard

Criteria followed to be a Private security Guard:

• The applicant must be a citizen of India
• He/she must be in between 18 and 65 years of age
• He/she should never have been terminated by the government service.

Documents for PSARA License

Under the Act, the set of documents for PSARA License are required. The following documents are:

• Company’s Incorporation Certificate
• Signed MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with a renowned training institute
• Address proof of the registered office
• Identity proof of all the employees and directors
• Id proofs of security guard
• Logo of the security agency
• ESI Registration
• PF Registration
• Character verification certificate of all the employees
• Certificate of registration under Shops & Establishment Act
• Copy of ITR of all Directors
• PAN card of the promoters
• Two photographs of promoters
• Registration obtained from the service tax department
• Certificate under the Contractual Labour Act
• Affidavit of the security training
• Armed license
• An affidavit obtained under PSARA.

Lastly, a duly filled application stating (PSARA License) is submitted to that particular state’s controlling authority along with the documents for PSARA License.

Forms required for obtaining a license under PSARA

The following forms are required to be submitted along with the documents for PSARA License:

• Form I – This would provide information and details related to the applicant’s character and activities.
• Form II – Information related to the security guards.
• Form III – Certificate on character and antecedents.
• Form IV – Certificate related to training.
• Form V – Application for the Renewal for private security agency’s business.
• Form VI – License for engagement for private security agency.
• Form VII – Appeal filing form.
• Form VIII – Particulars register.
• Form IX – Photo ID

Revocation of License under PSARA

The following instances would provide the authority with the right to revoke a license:

• Misrepresentation of facts.
• False documentation or photographs are submitted.
• Cheating or Impersonation with government authority.
• Misuse of information.
• A threat to national security.

Conclusion

Well, to conclude you require a PSARA license for carrying out the business of private security guards in India.

Read our article: An Overview on PSARA License Renewal and Penalties