Map the actual operation
List each product, process, location, storage site, turnover/capacity and route to market. A single company may need different permissions for seed dealing, food processing and export. Obtain the State and local requirements for the premises before committing to rent or equipment. Record the responsible authority, renewal, inspection conditions and changes that require amendment.
Seeds, fertilisers and pesticides
Seed dealers must check the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, applicable State procedure and seed quality/label requirements. Fertiliser activities need review under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 and State authorisation, including source certificates and relevant qualifications. Sale, stocking, distribution or manufacture of insecticides engages the Insecticides Act and Rules; authorisations, technical qualifications, product registration and storage conditions depend on the activity. An FPO identity or GST registration does not replace these permissions.
Food, packing and storage
Use the current FoSCoS business eligibility matrix to determine food registration, State licence or Central licence for the precise activity and capacity. Do not rely on an old turnover threshold. Review hygiene, testing, traceability, labelling and recall controls. Assess Legal Metrology requirements for packaged commodities and weighing equipment, plus local trade, fire, pollution, factory or labour approvals where triggered. Ordinary storage and a warehouse issuing regulated negotiable warehouse receipts need different analysis.
Markets and exports
Check State agricultural-marketing requirements, market-yard trading permissions and relevant exemptions for each activity. e-NAM registration is market access, not a universal replacement for local permissions. For exports, review IEC requirements and exemptions on DGFT, product policy, destination rules and any APEDA, phytosanitary, quality or other product-specific requirements. Confirm buyer specifications before buying stock.
Application pack and renewals
Prepare incorporation documents, PAN, premises title/lease and consent, layout, authorised-signatory resolution, product/activity list, technical-person qualification and source/supplier documents as applicable. Submit only through the competent official portal; retain receipt, inspection correspondence and granted certificate. Start the regulated activity only after required approvals are in force. Enter expiry and renewal lead time in the compliance calendar and amend permissions when premises or activities change.
Example: A company that aggregates raw produce, packs branded flour and sells pesticide inputs should assess each business separately. The flour operation needs food and packaging review; pesticides need the specific licensing route; warehouse and local conditions depend on location. The company’s incorporation certificate is common evidence, not one permission covering all three activities.
Editable tools
Open a tool, complete the yellow fields and save a completed copy. For offline use, download this kit first. No entries are uploaded or automatically saved. These tools are adapted worksheets, not prescribed statutory forms.
- Activity-to-licence assessment · Download HTML
- Licence application document checklist · Download HTML
Related register formats
Sources and further reading
- FoSCoS — current business eligibility matrix
- Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 — official-hosted text
- Insecticides Act, 1968 — India Code
- DGFT — IEC and trade policy
- e-NAM — market access and registration
Read legal references with amendments and current Rules. Scheme windows and application availability are not confirmed by inclusion here. The case-law module explicitly identifies the verification limits of its reported example.