Delhi Shop & Establishment Registration — What Applies Today, and When the 20-Employee Rule Starts
Quick answer: In Delhi every shop and commercial establishment still registers under the 1954 Act, whatever its headcount. The Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026 — 20-employee threshold, 10-hour day — was gazetted on 11 March 2026 but commences only on a notified date, and none has been notified as of 4 October 2026. UP and Haryana moved to 20+ in November 2025; applying their rule to Delhi is the most common mistake we correct.
Last verified 4 October 2026 — rules on this page checked against the current notifications. We update it the day a rule changes.
Delhi today vs Delhi after the amendment
| Now (Act of 1954, in force) | After commencement of the 2026 amendment | |
|---|---|---|
| Who registers | Every shop and commercial establishment, any headcount | Establishments with 20 or more employees |
| Working hours | 9 hours a day, 48 a week | Up to 10 hours a day, 12-hour spread-over |
| Women at night | Restricted | Permitted with safeguards (transport, consent, security) |
| Status | In force | Act 3 of 2026 — gazetted 11 March 2026; commencement not notified |
Documents required for Delhi Shop Act registration
- PAN of the establishment and the employer; Aadhaar of the employer/authorised signatory
- Constitution proof — certificate of incorporation, partnership deed, or Udyam for a proprietor
- Premises proof — rent agreement or ownership document, latest electricity bill
- Photograph of the establishment showing the name board
- Employee list with dates of joining, wages and designations
- MCD/NDMC trade licence where the activity needs one (shops, eateries, many services)
What we do
- Registration on the Labour Department portal, or through SPICe+ AGILE-PRO for new companies
- Registers and notices the inspector checks; amendments on change of address, headcount or ownership
- EPF (20+) and ESIC (10+) registrations sequenced with it — see EPF, ESIC & the Labour Codes
- Same-day update of this page and your file when the amendment is commenced
Across the border the rule differs: Noida (UP — 20+) · Gurugram & Faridabad (Haryana — 20+, s.13A below) · Patna (Bihar — no threshold, professional tax). Starting a company in Delhi? Company registration Delhi.
Talk to us before you file anything
Frequently asked questions
Is Shop and Establishment registration mandatory in Delhi right now?
Yes — under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954, every shop and commercial establishment registers with the Labour Department, GNCTD, regardless of headcount. The 2026 amendment that will raise this to 20 employees has been published but has not been brought into force (checked 4 October 2026).
What is the status of the Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026?
Passed by the Assembly on 9 January 2026, assented to on 23 February 2026, published in the Gazette on 11 March 2026 — and it commences only on a date the Government notifies. No commencement notification has been issued. Until then, the old rules apply. We update this page the day that changes.
What changes when the amendment commences?
Registration only for establishments with 20 or more employees; working hours up to 10 a day with a 12-hour spread-over; wider provisions for women working at night with safeguards; revised penalties. Delhi will then match UP and Haryana, which moved to 20+ in November 2025.
How do I register in Delhi today?
Online through the Labour Department's portal (labourcis.nic.in; new companies can opt in through SPICe+ AGILE-PRO at incorporation). You need the establishment's PAN, constitution proof, premises proof, a photo with the name board, the employee list and the employer's ID. The certificate is issued electronically.
What are the fees?
The registration fee is nominal and banded by the number of employees; it is paid online at filing. We quote the exact figure for your headcount when we file.
Does a home-based or online business in Delhi need it?
If it is a commercial establishment with employees working from the premises, yes under the current Act. A solo founder with no employees is generally outside the registration requirement; we confirm before filing anything you don't need.