How-To Guide

Every food business operator (FBO) in India is required to obtain a food license or registration from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). Operating without a valid FSSAI license is a punishable offence that can result in fines and imprisonment. This guide explains the three tiers of licensing, the documents required, the application process, and the associated fees. For context on busi

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) operates the SCORES (SEBI Complaint Redress System) portal to handle investor complaints against listed companies, intermediaries, and market infrastructure institutions. SCORES 2.0, launched in 2023, introduced an auto-routing mechanism and a review process. Investors who have grievances against brokers, depository participants, mutual funds, listed companies, or other SEBI-registered entities can file complaints through this

Udyam Registration is the government's online system for registering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India. It replaced the earlier Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum (UAM) system with effect from July 1, 2020, pursuant to a notification issued by the Ministry of MSME under Section 7 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (MSMED Act). Registration is entirely free, paperless, and based on self-declaration through the Udyam portal (udyamregistrat

Converting agricultural land to non-agricultural (NA) use is a mandatory legal requirement before any residential, commercial, or industrial construction can take place on farmland in India. The process is governed by state-specific revenue and land laws, and failure to obtain proper conversion can result in demolition orders, penalties, and criminal proceedings. This guide explains the general framework, the state-specific variations, and the step-by-step process for land co

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is established under the Competition Act, 2002, to prevent anti-competitive practices, regulate combinations (mergers and acquisitions), and promote fair competition. Any person, consumer, or enterprise affected by anti-competitive conduct can file an information with the CCI under Section 19(1) of the Competition Act, 2002. The CCI can also take cognizance suo motu or upon a reference from the Central or State Government. This guide

Filing a patent in India is governed by the Patents Act, 1970, as amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005, and the Patents Rules, 2003. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, operating under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), administers patent registration. India follows a first-to-file system, making timely filing critical. This guide covers the complete process from application to grant. What Can Be Patented in Ind

Educational loans enable students in India to finance higher education at domestic and international institutions. The Reserve Bank of India classifies education loans as a priority sector lending category under its Master Directions on Priority Sector Lending, 2020. Banks, NBFCs, and government schemes such as PM-Vidyalaxmi provide financial assistance. This guide covers the complete process, from eligibility to repayment. Eligibility Criteria for Educational Loans Most bank

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is an independent statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to investigate complaints of human rights violations by public servants and to recommend remedial action. Filing a complaint with the NHRC is free of cost and can be done online, by post, or in person. This guide explains the full process, including who can file, what grounds are covered, and what outcomes to expect. For the broader framework

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is a lifelong visa and residency document issued to foreign nationals of Indian origin under Section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The OCI card grants the holder multiple-entry, multi-purpose, lifelong rights to visit and live in India, along with parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial, and educational fields. Since the launch of the e-OCI system in May 2026, the entire application process can be complete

A disability certificate and the Unique Disability ID, or UDID card, are the gateway documents for almost every disability right and benefit in India, from reservation in education and government employment to travel concessions and social security schemes. This guide explains how to apply for a disability certificate and UDID card online through the official portal at swavlambancard.gov.in, the documents required, the medical assessment, and how to track and download the car

If your phone is lost or stolen in India, you can block it on every mobile network in the country through the Central Equipment Identity Register, the CEIR portal run by the Department of Telecommunications at ceir.gov.in. Once the IMEI is blocked, the handset cannot be used with any Indian SIM card, which destroys its resale value and protects you from misuse. This guide walks through the full process: the police complaint, the documents, the blocking request, and what to do

Gratuity is a statutory retirement benefit that an employer must pay an employee who leaves after long service. This guide explains how to claim gratuity in India under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972: who is eligible, how the amount is calculated, how to apply using Form I, the time limits involved, and what to do if the employer refuses to pay. Gratuity is part of a worker's deferred wages, not a favour from the employer. It sits alongside other end-of-service entitlement

A Public Interest Litigation, or PIL, lets any public-spirited person approach the Supreme Court or a High Court to enforce rights of people who cannot approach the court themselves, or to address a public wrong. This guide explains how to file a PIL in India: who can file, where to file, how to draft the petition, the court fees involved, and what happens after filing. PILs have driven some of India's most consequential judicial interventions, from environmental protection t

Thousands of crores of rupees lie forgotten in Indian bank accounts, and the RBI's UDGAM portal now makes it possible to find and claim unclaimed bank deposits in India from a single place. Whether it is a savings account a relative forgot, a matured fixed deposit never collected or an account of a deceased family member, the search and claim process is free and largely online. This guide explains the 10 year rule, the DEAF transfer, the UDGAM search and the documentation nee

Anyone involved in litigation can check court case status online in India within minutes, without calling a lawyer or visiting the court. The eCourts project of the Department of Justice covers district and taluka courts across the country, while the Supreme Court and High Courts run their own status portals. This guide explains every search method, what the CNR number is and how to track hearings through the eCourts mobile app. What Is a CNR Number The CNR, or Case Number Re