Licences to open a pharmacy or medical store in Kolkata
5 required licences and registrations, the official fee for each, the office that issues it and the documents to keep ready. Based on a typical small pharmacy or medical store with 1 to 5 staff and turnover of ₹20 to 40 lakh a year.
Fees checked: 27 Sep 2026
Required licences
5
Known official fees
₹3,030
first year, plus 2 that vary
Issuing city body
Kolkata Municipal Corporation
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Required licences and official fees
For a pharmacy or medical store in Kolkata (KMC), West Bengal.
| Licence | Issued by | Official fee | Time | Apply at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PANCentral | Income Tax Department | Freeinstant e-PAN with Aadhaar | Same day | incometax.gov.in (Instant e-PAN) |
| Retail drug licence (Form 20 and 21)State | Directorate of Drugs Control, West Bengal | ₹1,500 per form₹3,000 for both Form 20 and 21 | About 30 days, with inspection | wbhealth.gov.in |
| Certificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence)Municipal | KMC License Department | ₹60 to ₹20,000per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processing | Online, real time; law allows up to 30 days | kmcgov.in |
| Shops and Establishments registrationState | Labour Commissionerate, West Bengal | ₹30for your staff size | Within 30 days of opening | wbshopsonline.gov.in |
| Professional Tax (PTEC and PTRC)State | Directorate of Commercial Taxes, West Bengal | Up to ₹2,500 a year, by turnover (new schedule notified Aug 2026; check the portal) | Enrol within 90 days of starting | wbprofessiontax.gov.in |
Fees are the official government fees, not agent charges. Some fees depend on your size or change by office, so confirm on the portal before paying.
Order to apply in
- Identity and tax registration: PAN. Do these first. Later forms ask for PAN and GST.
- Sector licence: Retail drug licence (Form 20 and 21). The licence that lets you legally run this type of business.
- Municipal licence: Certificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence). Permission from your city for these premises.
- State labour and tax: Shops and Establishments registration, Professional Tax (PTEC and PTRC). Registers your workplace and staff with the state.
Documents to keep ready
- Aadhaar linked to your mobile number
- For a firm or company: incorporation certificate or partnership deed
- Registered pharmacist: qualification, State Pharmacy Council registration, appointment letter
- Premises of at least 10 sq m (15 sq m for retail plus wholesale)
- Rent agreement or ownership proof
- Site plan and key plan
- Refrigerator purchase bill
- Non-conviction affidavit
- Photo ID of the owner
- Property tax receipt, plus rent agreement or owner's NOC
- PAN
- Incorporation certificate or partnership deed, if not a proprietor
- Photo ID and address proof of the owner
- Proof of premises
- Photo of the shop front with name board
- Employee details (names, roles, wages)
- Aadhaar
- Business address proof
- GST or Shops and Establishments certificate
- Employee list with salaries
Also check if these apply
- GST registration: Free. Mandatory once turnover crosses ₹40 lakh a year for goods in West Bengal.
- Udyam (MSME) registration: Free. Free. Gets you the lower trademark fee, MSME loan schemes and protection against delayed payments.
- FSSAI registration for nutrition products: ₹2,000. Needed only if you sell food items such as supplements or infant food.
Common questions
How much do licences cost for a pharmacy or medical store in Kolkata?
The known official fees for the required licences add up to about ₹3,030 in the first year, plus 2 fees that depend on your size or the office (Certificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence), Professional Tax (PTEC and PTRC)). This is the government fee only. Agents and consultants charge extra, which you can avoid by applying yourself on the official portals.
Which licence should I apply for first?
Start with PAN and GST registration, because almost every later form asks for them. Then apply for the sector licence (Retail drug licence (Form 20 and 21)), followed by the municipal licence and the state labour registration.
Do I need a trade licence from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation?
Yes. For a pharmacy or medical store you need the Certificate of Enlistment (KMC trade licence). The official fee is ₹60 to ₹20,000 (per year by trade and area (2024-25 chart), plus ₹50 processing). Apply at kmcgov.in.
How long does it take to get all the licences?
Most registrations like PAN, GST and Udyam come through within a week. Sector and municipal licences can take 30 to 60 days where an inspection is needed, so apply for those as early as possible and before you open.
Is Govt License a government website?
No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.