Security Agency License
                     
Security Agency 
License
-By Himani Srivastava
Security Agency
A security agency is a governmental organization 
which conducts intelligence activities for the 
internal security of a nation. They are the domestic 
cousins of foreign intelligence agencies, and 
typically conduct counterintelligence to thwart 
other countries' foreign intelligence efforts. 


How to get a Private Security Agency 
License?
Private security agencies are those 
organizations involved in providing security 
services including training of security 
guards to any industrial or business 
undertaking or a company or any other 
person or property. The operations of a 
private security agency are governed in 
India by the “The Private Security Agencies 
(Regulation) Act, 2005.

The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) 
Act, 2005
The Private Security Agencies Act, 2005 
regulates all aspects of the operation of a 
private security agency business in India. 
The Act extends to the whole of India except 
the State of Jammu and Kashmir and is in 
existence since June 2005.

Appointment of Controlling Authority by 
State Government
The Act provides for each of the State Government to 
designate an officer, not below the rank of a Joint Secretary 
in the Home Department of the State or an equivalent 
officer to be the Controlling Authority for the State. The 
Controlling Authority for the State is responsible for the 
issuance of private security agency license, renewal and 
regulation of operation of private security agencies.
In addition, the Act also empowers the State Government 
to make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act. 
Therefore, many of the States have implemented Private 
Security Agencies Rules to effectively discharge the 
responsibilities of the State Government under the Act.

 Obtaining Private Security Agency 
License
As per the Act, no person shall operate or start a private 
security agency business, unless a private security agency 
license is obtained. In addition, no private security agency 
can provide private security outside of India without 
obtaining permission from the Controlling Authority, which 
shall consult the Central Government before according to 
such permission. Therefore, any person wishing to 
commence a security agency business must be licensed in 
India.
Eligibility for Private Security Agency License
Only an Indian Company, Firm or Association of Persons are eligible for a 
security agency license. Further, if the agency is a company, then the 
majority shareholder must be an Indian. In addition to the above condition, 
the following conditions must also be satisfied:
● The person or company cannot be convicted of an offense in 
connection with promotion, formation or management of a 
company (any fraud or misfeasance committed by him in relation 
to the company), including an undischarged insolvent;
● The person or company cannot be convicted by a competent court 
for an offense, the prescribed punishment for which is imprisonment 
of not less than two years;
● The person or company cannot be keeping links with any 
organization or association which is banned under any law on 
account of their activities which pose a threat to national security or 
public order.
● The person cannot be dismissed or removed from Government 
service on grounds of misconduct or moral turpitude.

 Operating Private Security 
Business
On obtaining the security agency license, the company or 
firm is required to commence operations within six months 
of obtaining the license. The security agency will be 
responsible for imparting training and skill development to 
security guards. In addition to the security guards, an 
adequate number of supervisors will also have to be 
employed by the agency as per the Act.
Eligibility to become security guards or 
security guards, supervisors
Citizen of India or a citizen of such other country as the Central Government may, by 
notification in the Official Gazette, specify;
Persons who have completed eighteen years of age but has not attained the age of 
sixty-five years;
Persons who satisfy the agency about his character and antecedents.
Persons who have completed the security training successfully;
Persons who fulfill certain physical standards;
Persons who are NOT convicted by a competent court or who have been dismissed or removed on grounds of 
misconduct or moral turpitude while serving in any of the armed forces of the Union, State Police Organisations, 
Central or State Governments or in any private security agency.

Thank You