Security & Compliance Guide for Indian Organisations 2026 — PSARA, ISO, GeM & Statutory Requirements

Who needs a PSARA license?

Any proprietorship, partnership, company, or society providing private security guards — whether armed or unarmed — must hold a valid PSARA license. This includes agencies providing security manpower to government, corporate, residential, and institutional clients.

Key requirements for PSARA compliance

• Application to the Controlling Authority (typically the state Home Department or DCP Licensing)
• Background verification of the proprietor/directors and all security personnel
• Minimum training requirements — guards must complete prescribed training hours
• Proof of registered office, financial stability, and operational infrastructure
• Renewal every 5 years with continuous compliance monitoring

Why it matters for clients

Engaging a non-PSARA licensed agency exposes your organisation to legal risk. Government departments, PSUs, and institutional clients are mandated to verify PSARA compliance before awarding security contracts. On the GeM portal, PSARA license details are mandatory for security service listings.

ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System (QMS)

The most widely recognised quality standard. ISO 9001 ensures consistent service delivery through documented processes, regular internal audits, and continuous improvement cycles. For security agencies, this covers recruitment, training, deployment, supervision, and client communication protocols.

ISO 45001:2018 — Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)

Specifically addresses workplace health and safety risks. For manpower agencies deploying personnel across diverse environments — from government offices to defence installations and hospitals — ISO 45001 ensures proper hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident management.

ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management System (EMS)

Demonstrates commitment to environmental responsibility. While less immediately obvious for security agencies, ISO 14001 covers waste management, resource efficiency, and environmental impact of operations — increasingly required in government procurement evaluations.

The integrated ISO stack advantage

• Single audit cycle covering all three standards reduces operational overhead
• Demonstrates mature, systematic management to government procurement committees
• Surveillance audits (typically annual) ensure ongoing compliance, not just certification-time compliance
• GeM and CPPP tenders frequently award technical evaluation points for ISO-certified agencies

Service categories relevant to security agencies

• Security Manpower Service — physical guarding, access control, surveillance
• Human Resource Outsourcing Service — MTS, DEOs, administrative staff
• Cleaning and Sanitation Service — housekeeping, pest control, pantry management
• Technical Manpower Service — nursing orderlies, librarians, IT specialists
• All Categories of Office Staff — receptionists, front desk, back office

GeM compliance requirements

Sellers must maintain valid GST registration, PAN card, bank account details, and relevant licenses (PSARA for security). Service quality ratings, order fulfilment history, and client feedback directly impact search ranking and bid eligibility on the portal.

Best practices for GeM sellers

• Register across all applicable service categories to maximise opportunity visibility
• Maintain up-to-date catalogue entries with accurate service descriptions and pricing
• Respond to bids promptly — GeM enforces strict timelines for bid acceptance
• Keep PSARA, ISO, and statutory registrations current — expired documents trigger automatic disqualification
• Build positive order fulfilment history through consistent, quality service delivery

GST Registration & compliance

All service providers with annual turnover exceeding the threshold must maintain active GST registration. Security and manpower services attract 18% GST (SAC 9985). Proper GST invoicing, timely return filing, and Input Tax Credit (ITC) management are essential.

ESI — Employees' State Insurance

The Employees' State Insurance Act provides health insurance and medical benefits to workers earning below the prescribed wage ceiling. The employer contributes 3.25% and employee 0.75% of gross wages. ESI coverage includes medical care, sickness benefits, maternity benefits, and employment injury benefits.

EPF — Employees' Provident Fund

Under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, both employer and employee contribute 12% of basic wages to the provident fund. This provides retirement savings, partial withdrawal for emergencies, and pension benefits for deployed manpower.

Minimum wages compliance

• Wages must be paid as per the Minimum Wages Act applicable to the state/UT of deployment
• Delhi NCR minimum wages are revised periodically by the Government of NCT of Delhi
• Service charges to clients must be transparently revised when new minimum wage orders are issued
• Non-compliance with minimum wages can result in contract termination, penalties, and debarment from government procurement portals