PSARA or Private Security Agencies Regulation Act is an Act by the Government of India to provide regulations to private security agencies. Additionally, the PSARA also keep an eye over the registration of the private security agencies.

The demand for security has increased considerably due to an increase in the number of business establishments in recent years. The growing tendency of hiring security guards from private sources by the private business establishments, firms, person or property, etc. has led to the coming up of a large number of private security agencies across the country. Although these private security agencies help meeting the security requirements of the private sector, on the other hand, there also is a concern for the way these agencies work. Therefore, the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act laid numerous set of rules for the proper functioning and registration of private security agencies.

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).

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.

The following eligibility criterion has to be satisfied for securing a PSARA License:

• Any form of Entity
• Director Appointment
• Role of a Security Guard

1. Any form of Entity

The organisation can be any form of entity which is regulated under respective laws and rules. If the applicant is a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability partnership, a private limited company or a one person company, then they can apply for the above license.

2. Director Appointment

A director has to be appointed to carry out the services of the company. The following criterion has to be sufficed by the individual appointed as a director:

1. Director must be a resident Indian.

2. The director must be more than 18 years of age.

3. The director must not be convicted of any crime and any other offence.

4. The director must not be bankrupt.

5. The director must be financially sound.

3. 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.

Although the documents vary from state to state, there are common documents which you would require to attach them along with the application for obtaining the PSARA License. The documents you would need to provide are as follows:

• Identity proofs of the directors and employees
• Address proof of the office of the agency
• The affidavit obtained under Private Security Agencies Regulation Act
• Logo of the agency
• PAN Card of promoters
• Two photographs of the promoters
• Details of registration obtained from the Service tax department
• Certificate under the Shops and Establishment Act
• ESI Registration
• Provident fund {PF} registration
• Affidavit of the security training
• Armed license
• Character certificate for employees
• Copy of Income Tax Return {ITR} of each director
• Company incorporation certificate
• Signed Memorandum of association {MOA} with the training institute
• Details of the security guard

• Collecting the all Qualifying Documents: The initial step to apply for a PSARA License is to assemble every single important enrollment, for example, Pan Card, TAN Number, GST, PF, ESI, Registration of foundation under Shops and Establishment Act, ITR of each chief, and so forth.
• Signing MOU With A Training Institute: The candidates to go into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a training institute or organization as sanctioned by the state controlling jurisdiction with the motive to impart training to the security guards. Each state has perceived different security preparing establishments for this reason.
• Police Verification: An application for police confirmation is recorded in Form - I by the candidate, and on the off chance that the candidate is a firm, organization or some other relationship of individual, separate check structure will be petitioned for each, accomplice or chiefs.
• Application Filing: The PSARA application is recorded before the controlling authority of PSARA, which is then prepared for check. After receipt of the NOC from the concerned Police specialists, controlling authority may either concedes the License or rejects with an explanation.
• Issuance of PSARA Certificate: 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.

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.