The 5-Point PSARA Verification Protocol
Before issuing a Letter of Intent (LOI) or signing a security services agreement, procurement officers must mandate the following 5 verification checkpoints in their technical envelope:
Inspect the Form-V Certificate & Issuing Authority
Request the original or certified copy of the PSARA Form-V license. Confirm that the issuing authority corresponds to the State Controlling Authority (e.g., Controlling Authority, Private Security Agencies, Govt. of West Bengal or Delhi Police Licensing Unit). Note the exact validity start date and expiry date.
Verify District Jurisdiction Boundaries
PSARA licenses can be granted either for specific named districts or for the entire state. Ensure your facility's physical district is explicitly included in the territorial schedule of the agency's license.
Validate Section 9 Security Guard Training Certification
By law, every guard must undergo 100 hours of classroom curriculum and 60 hours of field training at a state-recognized security training institute. Request batch training completion certificates and syllabus compliance records.
Examine Police Verification & Character Records
Under Section 10 of PSARA, security personnel must possess a formal police verification report or character clearance certificate issued by the competent police commissionerate/SP office prior to site deployment.
Audit Monthly Statutory Filings (EPF, ESIC, LWF)
A licensed vendor must demonstrate flawless statutory discipline. Request current Electronic Challan cum Returns (ECR) for EPF, monthly ESIC contribution challans, and proof of state Labour Welfare Fund compliance.
Common Red Flags in Security Bids
| Vendor Claim / Red Flag | Statutory Reality | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| “We hold a Pan-India PSARA License” | PSARA is strictly state-governed. No single central license exists. | Require separate state-specific Form-V certificates for each deployment state. |
| “Our renewal application is pending indefinitely” | Rule varies by state, but expired licenses without official receipt create client audit exposure. | Verify official controlling authority renewal submission receipt within prescribed window. |
| Quoting 0% or Abnormally Low Service Charges | Violates Ministry of Finance GeM directives (OM No. F.6/1/2023-PPD); leads to wage cuts. | Reject bid as financially non-viable; adhere to minimum 5%–10% administrative margin. |
Inspect ACS's Verified Statutory Credentials
Advance Corporate Security maintains an active, public statutory document repository. Procurement committees can verify our State PSARA licenses (West Bengal, Delhi NCR, Jharkhand), ISO 9001:2015 certificates, EPFO establishment codes, and GeM seller empanelment.
Frequently Asked Questions on PSARA Compliance
Can a private security agency operate across India on a single PSARA license?
No. Under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, PSARA licenses (Form-V) are strictly state-specific. Every agency must obtain a separate license from the respective State Controlling Authority (usually the Home Department or State Police Licensing Unit) for each state or Union Territory it operates in. Beware of vendors claiming a single 'pan-India PSARA license'.
What is the legal risk to the client (Principal Employer) if a security agency is unlicensed?
Deploying guards from an unlicensed security agency violates Section 4 of the PSARA Act 2005 (which makes operating without a license a punishable offense). Additionally, under the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, the client organization is legally deemed the Principal Employer and carries joint and severable liability for wage defaults, workplace injuries, and statutory non-compliance.
How can procurement verify the authenticity of a PSARA Form-V license?
Procurement teams should request: (1) A certified copy of the Form-V license; (2) The official verification letter or license number match on the State Home Department PSARA portal; (3) Proof of MoHA-approved guard training facility empanelment; and (4) The agency's official controlling authority renewal status if within the renewal cycle.
What mandatory training must guards complete under PSARA rules?
As per Section 9 of the PSARA Act 2005, security personnel must complete minimum 100 hours of classroom instruction and 60 hours of field training (ex-servicemen require 40 hours) conducted by a recognized security training institute before physical site deployment.