7StartUp Team
Short answer: Udyam registration is the government's free, online, paperless MSME registration. Go to the official portal udyamregistration.gov.in, enter the Aadhaar of the owner (proprietor, managing partner or director), verify with OTP, validate your PAN, fill in your business details and submit. You get a Udyam Registration Number immediately, and the e-certificate is sent after processing. There is no government fee — any website charging you is a private agent.
Last updated: 28 October 2026. Always use the official portal; rules can change.
What is Udyam registration?
Udyam registration is the official registration for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India, run by the Ministry of MSME. It replaced the old Udyog Aadhaar (UAM) system in July 2020. Once registered, your business gets:
- A permanent Udyam Registration Number (format:
UDYAM-XX-00-0000000) - A Udyam Registration Certificate with a QR code
- Access to MSME benefits — loans, government tenders, payment protection and subsidies
It is based on self-declaration: you don't upload any documents. Investment and turnover figures are linked to your PAN and GST data.
Who can register?
Any business that manufactures goods or provides services and falls within the MSME limits — proprietorships, partnership firms, LLPs, private and public companies, HUFs, cooperatives, trusts and societies. Retail and wholesale traders can also register, though for traders the benefits are mainly limited to priority sector lending.
You need only one registration per PAN. If you have several shops, units or activities, add them all within the same Udyam registration.
MSME classification (revised from 1 April 2025)
The government raised the MSME limits from 1 April 2025 (notification S.O. 1364(E)). A business is classified using both investment in plant & machinery or equipment and annual turnover:
- Micro: investment up to ₹2.5 crore and turnover up to ₹10 crore
- Small: investment up to ₹25 crore and turnover up to ₹100 crore
- Medium: investment up to ₹125 crore and turnover up to ₹500 crore
Export turnover is not counted towards these limits.
Documents required for Udyam registration
You don't upload documents, but keep these details ready:
- Aadhaar number of the proprietor, managing partner, karta or authorised director — with the mobile number linked to Aadhaar for OTP
- PAN of the business (or proprietor's PAN for a proprietorship)
- GSTIN, if your business is required to have GST
- Business name, address and location of each unit or shop
- Bank account number and IFSC
- Main business activity and NIC codes (selected from the list on the portal)
- Date of commencement, number of employees, investment and turnover (largely auto-filled from ITR and GST data)
Udyam registration online process (step by step)
Step 1: Open the official portal
Go to udyamregistration.gov.in and click "For New Entrepreneurs who are not Registered yet as MSME". Check the address bar — it must end in .gov.in.
Step 2: Verify Aadhaar
Enter the Aadhaar number and the name exactly as on Aadhaar, tick the consent box, and click Validate & Generate OTP. Enter the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile.
Step 3: Select organisation type and validate PAN
Choose the type of organisation (proprietary, partnership, company and so on), enter the PAN and click Validate. The portal fetches PAN details and checks your ITR and GST status.
Step 4: Fill in business details
Enter the enterprise name, unit and plant locations, official address, contact details, bank details, major activity (manufacturing, services or trading), NIC codes, number of employees, and investment and turnover where asked.
Step 5: Submit with final OTP
Review everything, accept the declaration, click Submit & Get Final OTP, and enter the OTP. Your Udyam Registration Number appears on screen and is sent to your email and mobile.
Step 6: Download the certificate
The e-certificate is emailed after processing. You can also download it any time from the portal using Print / Verify → Print Udyam Certificate, logging in with your Udyam number and mobile OTP.
Benefits of Udyam registration
- Easier bank loans: MSME loans count as priority sector lending, and micro and small units can get collateral-free loans under the CGTMSE scheme.
- Payment protection: under the MSMED Act, buyers must pay micro and small suppliers within 45 days (if agreed in writing) or 15 days otherwise; you can raise disputes on the MSME Samadhaan portal. Section 43B(h) of the Income Tax Act also makes delayed payments to micro and small enterprises costly for buyers.
- Government tenders: benefits like EMD exemption and procurement preferences for micro and small enterprises, including on GeM.
- Lower fees and subsidies: concessions on trademark and patent filing fees, barcode registration and certain central and state schemes.
- Credibility: larger buyers and corporates often ask suppliers for a Udyam certificate.
Benefits depend on each scheme's own rules, so always check eligibility.
Udyam Assist Platform for informal micro businesses
Small informal businesses without PAN or GST — such as street vendors and small artisans — can register through the Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) with the help of designated agencies such as banks and other approved facilitators. A UAP certificate is treated like a Udyam certificate for priority sector lending.
How to update or change Udyam details
Udyam registration does not need renewal. To change details — address, activity, bank, units — log in on the portal with your Udyam number and mobile OTP, choose Update Details, make the changes and submit. Investment and turnover data are updated from your ITR and GST records.
Already have Udyog Aadhaar (UAM)?
The old Udyog Aadhaar registration is no longer the valid MSME registration. Re-register on the Udyam portal using the option for existing Udyog Aadhaar holders, so you keep your MSME benefits.
Beware of fake Udyam websites
Many private websites look official and charge ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 for "Udyam registration" or "renewal". Remember:
- The only official website is udyamregistration.gov.in
- Registration is free, and there is no renewal fee
- Never share Aadhaar OTPs with unknown agents
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a mobile number that is not linked to Aadhaar
- Choosing the wrong NIC code — it decides your activity type and some benefits
- Creating a second registration for the same PAN instead of adding a unit
- Not updating details after moving your business
Next steps after registration
Your Udyam certificate is the first step. Next, set up your GST registration (if needed), a business bank account and your online presence:
- Read our guide to GST registration online
- How to make a website for your business
- How to create a Google Business Profile
- How to start an e-commerce business in India
Need a professional website, online store or business email for your new MSME? See our website design packages or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Is Udyam registration free?
Yes. Registration on the official portal udyamregistration.gov.in is completely free. Websites that charge a fee are private agents.
What documents are required for Udyam registration?
Only the Aadhaar number of the owner or authorised person and the business PAN are essential, plus GSTIN if your business needs GST. You don't upload any documents.
How long does Udyam registration take?
Online registration takes about 10–15 minutes. You get the Udyam number immediately after submitting, and the certificate is emailed after processing.
Can I do Udyam registration without GST?
Yes, if your business is not required to register under GST. Businesses that are required to have GST must provide their GSTIN.
Do I need to renew my Udyam registration?
No. Udyam registration has no expiry and no renewal. You only need to update your details when something changes.
What are the new MSME limits?
From 1 April 2025, micro enterprises can have investment up to ₹2.5 crore and turnover up to ₹10 crore; small up to ₹25 crore and ₹100 crore; medium up to ₹125 crore and ₹500 crore.
Can traders register under Udyam?
Yes. Retail and wholesale traders can register, but for them the benefits are mainly limited to priority sector lending.
