Karnataka Shop & Establishment Registration (e-Karmika) — Fee, Validity & Documents
Every shop and commercial establishment in Karnataka must register under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961 within 30 days of starting business — even a one-person proprietorship. The government fee is a fixed slab based on the number of employees. Enter your employee count below to see your exact registration and renewal fee, the validity period, documents and the e-Karmika process.
Fee figures are the current statutory slab under Schedule I of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, 1963 (as amended, notified in the Karnataka Gazette). The same fee applies for a fresh registration and for each five-year renewal. Always confirm the amount on the e-Karmika fee table before paying. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Karnataka Shop & Establishment registration in brief
The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961 (with the Rules, 1963) governs working hours, holidays, leave, wages and conditions of service for people employed in shops and commercial establishments across the state. Registration under the Act is compulsory for practically every shop, office, hotel, restaurant, and commercial establishment — and the certificate is routinely asked for by banks to open a current account and by other authorities to support GST and trade registrations. Registration and renewal are done only through the state’s e-Karmika portal.
Who must register, and by when
Unlike some states, Karnataka does not set an employee threshold — registration is mandatory even where the owner works alone with no employees. The application in Form-A must be filed within 30 days of commencing business. A few categories are exempt, including offices under the Central or State Government and local authorities (except commercial undertakings), certain public utility and transport services, offices of legal and medical practitioners employing not more than three persons, and offices of banks.
Registration & renewal fee (Schedule I)
The fee is a fixed slab based on the number of employees, notified under Schedule I of the Rules and revised through the Karnataka Gazette. The same fee applies to a fresh registration and to each five-year renewal.
| Number of employees | Registration / renewal fee |
|---|---|
| No employees (owner only) | ₹405 |
| 1 to 9 employees | ₹810 |
| 10 to 19 employees | ₹5,400 |
| 20 to 49 employees | ₹13,500 |
| 50 to 99 employees | ₹27,000 |
| 100 to 250 employees | ₹54,000 |
| 251 to 500 employees | ₹67,500 |
| 501 to 1000 employees | ₹94,500 |
| More than 1000 employees | ₹1,01,250 |
Source: Schedule I, Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, 1963, as amended (Karnataka Gazette). Confirm the current figure on the e-Karmika fee table before paying.
Documents required
The document set is prescribed by the Department of Labour on the e-Karmika portal. Scan and keep the following ready to upload:
- Duly filled and signed Registration Form-A.
- ID proof of the proprietor / partners / directors — Aadhaar and PAN.
- Address proof of the proprietor / partners / directors.
- Premises proof — rent agreement, lease deed or ownership deed; where the premises are rented, a No-Objection Certificate from the property owner.
- Signature declaration form printed on the establishment letterhead — for self / owner, or to authenticate an authorised signatory acting on behalf of the establishment.
- Constitution proof — Memorandum & Articles of Association and the Certificate of Incorporation (private / public company), or the Partnership Deed (partnership firm).
- Paid challan / payment receipt / online transaction slip as proof of the fee paid.
Source: official “Instructions to shop and commercial establishment owners” on the e-Karmika (Department of Labour, Karnataka) portal.
How to apply online (e-Karmika)
- Go to ekarmika.karnataka.gov.in and use New User Sign Up to create a username and password (a single login can manage multiple establishments).
- Log in and open the Registration Form, completing each sub-form — establishment name, address, nature of business, date of commencement and number of employees (male, female and total). Mark the location on the GIS map.
- Refer to the fee table for your slab and pay through the department counter, a bank challan or personal net banking; upload the paid challan / transaction slip.
- Upload the scanned documents and submit. The application goes to the jurisdictional Senior Labour Inspector / Labour Inspector for scrutiny, who may inspect the premises.
- Once approved, download and print the Registration Certificate and keep it displayed at the establishment.
Validity, renewal and penalty
The registration certificate is valid for five years. It must be renewed through e-Karmika, and the application should be submitted at least 90 days before the date of expiry; the renewal fee is the same slab-based amount as the original registration. Operating without registration contravenes Section 4 of the Act and, under Section 30, attracts a fine of up to ₹1,000 for a first offence and up to ₹2,000 for a subsequent offence — so both the initial registration and timely renewal matter.
Related calculators & guides
Karnataka Shop & Establishment registration – Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shop & Establishment registration mandatory in Karnataka for a proprietor with no employees?
Yes. Karnataka does not set an employee threshold — every shop and commercial establishment must register within 30 days of starting business, even a one-person proprietorship with no employees. The fee for the no-employee slab is ₹405.
What is the current registration fee in Karnataka?
The fee is a fixed slab by number of employees under Schedule I: ₹405 for no employees, ₹810 for 1–9, ₹5,400 for 10–19, ₹13,500 for 20–49, ₹27,000 for 50–99, ₹54,000 for 100–250, ₹67,500 for 251–500, ₹94,500 for 501–1000 and ₹1,01,250 above 1000. The same fee applies on each renewal.
How long is the certificate valid, and when should I renew?
The certificate is valid for five years. Renewal is done on the e-Karmika portal and the application should be filed at least 90 days before expiry to avoid penalties. The renewal fee equals the registration fee for your slab.
Where do I apply for Karnataka Shop & Establishment registration?
Only online through the state’s e-Karmika portal (ekarmika.karnataka.gov.in). The government has made e-Karmika the mandatory route for both new registration and renewal. You sign up, fill Form-A, pay the fee, upload documents and download the certificate once the Labour Inspector approves it.
What is the penalty for not registering?
Operating without registration contravenes Section 4 of the Act. Under Section 30 the fine may extend to ₹1,000 for a first offence and ₹2,000 for a subsequent offence. It is far cheaper to register within the 30-day window and renew on time.