The usual starting set
| Registration | Who needs it | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| GST registration | Businesses above the turnover threshold, anyone supplying goods between states or through e-commerce operators, and other mandatory categories | GST department |
| Udyam (MSME) | Optional, but needed for MSME benefits and protection against delayed payments | Ministry of MSME |
| Shops and establishments | Shops, offices and commercial establishments in Telangana | Telangana Labour Department |
| Professional tax | Businesses and employers in Telangana; employers also deduct it from salaries | Telangana Commercial Taxes Department |
| GHMC trade licence | Trades listed under the GHMC Act within GHMC limits; renewed every year | Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation |
| FSSAI | Every food business, from home kitchens to restaurants, traders and importers | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |
| IEC | Anyone importing or exporting; updated every year between April and June | DGFT |
Industry-specific approvals
- Pollution Control Board consents: CTE before you build, CTO before you start operating.
- Fire NOC from Telangana Fire Services for buildings and premises that need one.
- Factory registration under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, which replaced the Factories Act from 21 November 2025.
- Drug licences for pharmacies, wholesalers and distributors.
- Single-window approvals for new industrial units.
Once you hire people
- EPFO and ESIC registration when the employee thresholds are met, now under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
- Labour Welfare Fund contributions.
- Establishment registration and contract labour licences under the new labour codes.
The four labour codes came into force on 21 November 2025, and states are still notifying their rules. Some registrations are in transition, so we check the current position in Telangana before filing.
How we work
- You tell us what the business does, its address and how many people it employs.
- We send a written list of the registrations that apply, the documents for each, and a quote.
- We file each application and follow it up with the department.
- We remind you before renewals and annual updates, such as the GHMC licence and the IEC update.
Questions we are asked
Do I need both a GHMC trade licence and a shops registration?
They are different registrations. The GHMC trade licence covers trades listed under the GHMC Act; the shops and establishments registration is with the Labour Department. Many businesses need both, some only one. We check which apply to you.
Is GST registration compulsory for a new business?
Only above the turnover threshold, or if you supply goods between states, sell goods through e-commerce operators, or fall in another mandatory category. Many service businesses register voluntarily to work with larger clients.
Can you handle licences for a business outside Telangana?
Central registrations such as GST, Udyam, FSSAI, IEC and trademarks are filed online for any state. State and municipal licences differ from state to state; tell us your location and we will confirm what we can file.