How-To Guide

When an employee who is a member of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) passes away during service, the accumulated provident fund balance does not lapse. The nominee, family member, or legal heir has the right to claim the deceased member’s PF accumulations, pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), and insurance payout under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme. This guide explains who can file the claim, what forms are neede

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is one of the most significant housing welfare programmes in India, designed to provide affordable housing to economically weaker sections of society. Launched in 2015, the scheme has been extended as PMAY Urban 2.0 for the period 2024 to 2029, with a target of constructing one crore additional houses. Under PMAY Urban 2.0, eligible beneficiaries can receive financial assistance of up to Rs 2.5 lakh for constructing a pucca house or an in

Introduction The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) is a compulsory savings scheme for salaried employees in India, governed by the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Under this scheme, both the employee and the employer contribute 12% of the employee's basic salary and dearness allowance to the EPF account each month. When an employee retires, resigns, or faces a financial emergency, they can withdraw their accumulated EPF balance. The Employees'

Introduction The Shops and Establishments Act is a state-level legislation in India that regulates the conditions of work and employment in shops, commercial establishments, restaurants, theatres, and other places of business. Every state and union territory has enacted its own version of this Act, and registration under it is mandatory for virtually all commercial establishments. This registration, commonly known as the 'Gumasta License' in Maharashtra, serves as the foundat

Introduction Changing your name in India is a legal process that involves three main steps: executing a notarized affidavit, publishing the name change in newspapers, and obtaining publication in the Official Gazette of India. A Gazette notification serves as official, legally recognized proof of your name change. Whether you wish to change your name after marriage, for personal or religious reasons, to correct a spelling error, or for any other legitimate purpose, a Gazette

Introduction When a person dies without leaving a valid will (intestate), their legal heirs often face difficulties in claiming the deceased's financial assets such as bank deposits, shares, mutual funds, fixed deposits, and other securities. A Succession Certificate, issued under the Indian Succession Act, 1925, is a legal document that authorizes the holder to collect debts due to the deceased and to receive or transfer securities belonging to the deceased. This certificate

Introduction The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to protect and promote human rights in India. If you believe that your fundamental rights, or the rights of another person, have been violated by a public servant or government authority, you have the right to file a complaint with the NHRC. The Commission has the power to inquire into such complaints, recommend compensation, and direct the

The Other Backward Classes (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer certificate is a crucial document that enables individuals belonging to the OBC category to access reservation benefits in government jobs, educational institutions, and other public sector opportunities. The 'non-creamy layer' classification ensures that reservation benefits reach the genuinely disadvantaged sections within the OBC community by excluding those whose families have already attained a certain level of social, ec

An arms license is a permit issued by the competent licensing authority, typically the District Magistrate or Commissioner of Police, that authorizes an individual to acquire, possess, and carry firearms in India. The acquisition, possession, manufacture, sale, and use of firearms in India are regulated by the Arms Act 1959 and the Arms Rules 2016 (which replaced the earlier Arms Rules 1962). Given India's strict gun control regime, obtaining an arms license involves a detail

Apostille attestation is an international certification process that authenticates Indian documents for use in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Convention of 1961. India became a member of the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents on July 14, 2005, which means Indian documents bearing the apostille stamp are accepted in over 100 member countries without the need for further embassy or consulate legalization. Th

Notarization is the process by which a Notary Public, an official appointed under the Notaries Act 1952, authenticates the execution of a document by affixing his or her signature and official seal. The purpose of notarization is to verify the identity of the signatories, confirm that the document was signed voluntarily, and certify that the contents of the document are genuine. Notarized documents carry enhanced legal credibility and are routinely required for affidavits, po

A trade license is a permit issued by the municipal corporation, municipality, or gram panchayat that authorizes a person or entity to carry on a specific trade, business, or profession within the local body's jurisdiction. Unlike company registration or GST registration, a trade license focuses on ensuring that business activities do not pose a public health, safety, or environmental hazard to the surrounding community. Every business operating from a physical premises in In

Obtaining a liquor license in India is a complex, state-specific process that requires navigating multiple regulatory authorities and complying with stringent legal requirements. Unlike many other business licenses that are governed by central legislation, liquor licensing in India falls entirely under the domain of state governments, with each of India's 28 states and 8 union territories regulating the manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of alcoholic beverages throu

When an Indian citizen marries abroad, or when an Indian citizen marries a foreign national in another country, the question of legal recognition of the marriage under Indian law becomes critically important. The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 provides the legal framework for solemnization and registration of marriages in foreign countries where at least one party is an Indian citizen. This legislation empowers the Indian government to appoint Marriage Officers at Indian embassie

Converting a private limited company into a public limited company is a significant corporate milestone that opens up access to public capital markets, enhances credibility, and enables wider share ownership. Under the Companies Act, 2013, this conversion is governed primarily by Sections 14 and 18, read with Rule 33 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. The process involves passing a special resolution, altering the company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of