How to get Udyam (MSME) registration in 2026: free, online, and what you need

Last updated 11 Oct 2026 · India

Last checked: 11 Oct 2026 against Ministry of MSME: Notification S.O. 1364(E), 21 Mar 2025.

Short answer. Udyam registration is done only on the government portal udyamregistration.gov.in. It is free, online and based on self-declaration: no documents are uploaded, and it never needs renewal. You need the Aadhaar of the proprietor, managing partner or karta (companies, LLPs, societies and trusts give their PAN and GSTIN with the authorised signatory's Aadhaar), plus PAN, and GSTIN where GST registration applies to you. Investment and turnover are pulled from income-tax and GST records. From 1 April 2025 you are micro up to ₹2.5 crore investment and ₹10 crore turnover, small up to ₹25 crore and ₹100 crore, medium up to ₹125 crore and ₹500 crore.

Why register

Udyam is the identity that MSME benefits check. The one most small suppliers feel is the 45-day payment rule: buyers must pay a micro or small supplier within 45 days, and a late-paying buyer loses its tax deduction until it pays. That protection applies only to supplies made after you registered. Banks, tenders and government schemes also ask for the Udyam number.

The limits (from 1 April 2025)

Category	Investment in plant, machinery or equipment, not above	Turnover, not above
Micro	₹2.5 crore	₹10 crore
Small	₹25 crore	₹100 crore
Medium	₹125 crore	₹500 crore

Both conditions must be met; cross either one and you move up a category.

Step by step

Open udyamregistration.gov.in (type it yourself; don't click ads) and choose the form for new enterprises not yet registered as MSME.
Enter the Aadhaar number and name of the proprietor, managing partner or karta, and verify with the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile.
Select the type of organisation and enter the PAN; the portal validates it. Enter the GSTIN if you have one.
Fill in the enterprise details: name, address, bank account, main activity (manufacturing or services), NIC activity codes, number of employees and date of starting.
Check the investment and turnover figures the portal brings in from your returns.
Submit with the final OTP. You get a permanent Udyam Registration Number and an e-certificate with a dynamic QR code.

No PAN or GSTIN? Informal micro enterprises outside GST can get a Udyam Assist Certificate through SIDBI's Udyam Assist Platform and designated agencies, then move to full Udyam registration later.

Common mistakes

Paying a "registration agent". The portal says no private site, agency or person is authorised to do MSME registration, and that there is no fee. Many look-alike sites charge for it.
Registering twice. One enterprise gets one Udyam number. Add extra activities to the same registration.
Wrong activity codes. Pick NIC codes that match what you really do; trading-only businesses have limited benefits.
Old EM-II or UAM numbers. These had to be re-registered on Udyam.
Inflating or hiding figures. Misrepresentation is penalised under section 27 of the MSMED Act.
Registering after a dispute. The 45-day protection does not cover supplies made before you registered.

Checklist

Aadhaar linked to a working mobile
PAN (and GSTIN if registered)
Bank account details
Activity and NIC codes decided
Employee count and start date
Certificate downloaded and saved
Udyam number added to your invoices and quotes

Frequently asked questions

Is Udyam registration free?

Yes. The official portal states that registration is totally free and that no fee is to be paid to anyone.

What documents are needed for Udyam registration?

None are uploaded. You need the Aadhaar number of the proprietor, managing partner or karta, the PAN, and the GSTIN where applicable.

What are the micro and small enterprise limits from April 2025?

Micro: 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.

Does Udyam registration need renewal?

No. The registration number is permanent; keep the details updated.

I have no PAN or GST. Can I register?

Informal micro enterprises without PAN/GSTIN can get a Udyam Assist Certificate through SIDBI's Udyam Assist Platform.

Official sources

Not legal advice. Portal screens change; follow the instructions on udyamregistration.gov.in, and ask your CA if your activity or figures are unclear. Last checked 11 Oct 2026.

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If you want a ready-made tool

Free: the 45-day payment rule on one page (PDF, no sign-up), the main reason to put your Udyam number on every invoice.

If you want a tracker that works out due dates and an interest estimate, plus 5 reminder letters and an ODR filing guide: MSME Payment Chaser Kit (paid).

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