Factory License in Maharashtra — Complete 2026 Guide Under DISH, MAITRI Portal, and the New OSH Rules
Maharashtra is India's #1 industrial state with over 33,000 registered factories — and in 2026, every one of them faces a fundamental change. The Maharashtra OSH Rules 2026 have been gazetted, and existing factories must re-register in Form 1 within 6 months. New factories follow a completely digital process through DISH via the MAITRI portal. We handle both — end-to-end, in-house, across every MIDC and industrial hub in the state.
Get Your Maharashtra Factory License
MAITRI portal filing, DISH liaison, & OSH 2026 re-registration.
Maharashtra Factory Licensing — What Changed in 2026
Maharashtra has moved faster than any other state on labour code implementation. Two major shifts define the 2026 landscape:
The Maharashtra OSH Rules 2026 Are Gazetted
Maharashtra has gazetted the Maharashtra Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Factories and Other Ports) Rules, 2026 — a landmark 335-page notification that implements the OSH Code 2020 at the state level. These rules replace 13 central labour laws including the Factories Act, 1948 and the Maharashtra Factories Rules, 1963 — the framework that governed factory licensing in Maharashtra for over 60 years.
Direct impact on your factory:
Impact on existing factories:
This is where most factory owners are unaware of their legal exposure. Under Rule 3(A)(3) of the new OSH Rules, establishments already registered under the Factories Act, 1948 must apply afresh in Form 1 electronically within 6 months of the Code coming into force. This is not automatic. This is not a renewal. This is a mandatory fresh application.
For 33,000+ existing Maharashtra factories, this means a compliance action that most consultants haven't even flagged yet. We've built a dedicated re-registration service specifically for this transition — see our OSH Re-Registration Package →
Fully Digital Licensing via MAITRI
Even before the OSH Rules, the Maharashtra Factories (Second Amendment) Rules, 2025 had already mandated digital processing, online fee payments, and structured electronic workflows for all factory licensing. The MAITRI portal (lms.mahaonline.gov.in) operated by MahaOnline is now the exclusive channel for factory licensing services in Maharashtra.
The old workflow of "walk into the DISH office with a file" no longer works. Everything is digital, everything is timestamped, and every rejection is on record.
Who Needs a Factory License in Maharashtra?
Under the Factories Act, 1948 (still applicable during OSH transition period) read with the Maharashtra Factories Rules, 1963:
Mandatory for:
Some interpretations of Maharashtra Factories Rules 1963 use the threshold of 20 workers with power / 40 workers without power. However, the Factories Act 1948 threshold (10 with power / 20 without) is legally binding at the central level, and DISH inspectors have historically applied the lower thresholds. Under OSH Rules 2026, uniform thresholds apply.
The Governing Authority — DISH (Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health)
Factory licensing in Maharashtra is administered by the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), formerly known as the Factory Inspectorate. DISH is the regulatory body responsible for:
DISH has offices across Maharashtra — in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Kolhapur, and other industrial districts. Each office covers a defined jurisdiction. Applications are processed by the office having territorial jurisdiction over your factory location.
Complete Factory License Process in Maharashtra — 2026 Workflow
The process has three stages: pre-application prerequisites, MAITRI portal filing, and post-inspection approval.
Pre-Application Prerequisites
Before you even open the MAITRI portal, several items must be in place:
MAITRI Portal Filing
The entire application is filed through the Government of Maharashtra's MAITRI Portal at lms.mahaonline.gov.in operated by MahaOnline.
Inspection and License Grant
Documents Required for Maharashtra Factory License
Compiled and verified against the current MAITRI portal document checklist and DISH office requirements:
Business & Occupier Documents
- PAN card of company / LLP / partnership / proprietor
- Certificate of Incorporation or Partnership Deed
- KYC of Directors / Partners / Occupier — PAN, Aadhaar, address proof, passport photo
- Board resolution or Partnership resolution appointing the Occupier
- Occupier nomination in prescribed format under Section 7
Premises Documents
- Registered sale deed OR notarized lease/rent agreement (minimum 11 months)
- Property tax receipt (latest)
- NOC from landlord if premises are rented
- Land use conversion certificate (if applicable)
- 7/12 extract or property card
Building & Structural Documents
- Approved building plan from Municipal Corporation / MIDC / Gram Panchayat
- Site plan, building layout, and machinery layout drawings signed by licensed architect
- Structural stability certificate from chartered structural engineer
- Fire NOC from Maharashtra Fire Services Department
- Electrical safety certificate from licensed electrical contractor
- MPCB Consent to Establish (mandatory prerequisite)
Operational Documents
- Detailed manufacturing process flowchart
- List of machinery with make, model, capacity, and installed HP
- Load sanction letter from MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution)
- List of raw materials, chemicals, and finished products
- Hazardous process declaration (if applicable, under Section 2(cb))
- Effluent, emissions, and waste disposal plan
Workforce Documents
- Number of workers — permanent, contract, migrant, women, workers under 18
- Shift pattern and working hours declaration
- Contractor details (if contract labour is engaged)
- Welfare facility plan — canteen, restrooms, drinking water, creche (if 30+ women)
Application Documents
- Form 1 (OSH Rules 2026) OR Form 2 (Factories Act — during transition)
- Court fee stamp of ₹10 duly affixed on Form 1
- E-payment receipt of application fee
- Self-declaration/affidavit on prescribed format
Missing even one document restarts the timeline. We provide a complete document collection checklist and manage the entire compilation for our clients.
Maharashtra Factory License Fees — 2026 Structure
Government fees in Maharashtra are calculated based on number of workers and installed horsepower (HP). Fees are payable via e-payment on the MAITRI portal — no offline modes accepted.
| Worker Slab | Installed HP | Indicative Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 | Up to 10 HP | ₹1,000 – ₹3,000 |
| 21 – 50 | 11 – 50 HP | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 |
| 51 – 100 | 51 – 100 HP | ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 |
| 101 – 250 | 101 – 250 HP | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 |
| 251 – 500 | 251 – 500 HP | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
| 501 – 1000 | 501 – 1000 HP | ₹50,000 – ₹65,000 |
| 1000+ | 1000+ HP | ₹65,000 – ₹80,000 |
These are illustrative slabs — actual fees are calculated on the MAITRI portal based on your exact worker count and HP declaration. Validity options are 1-year, 5-year, or 10-year, with proportionally increased fees for longer terms.
Ancillary costs for a complete factory license in Maharashtra:
Need End-to-End License Support in Maharashtra?
From MPCB CTE & Fire NOC to DISH Form 1 filing on MAITRI, our local Pune & Mumbai teams deliver your license in 22-30 working days.
License Validity & Renewal in Maharashtra
Maharashtra factory licenses are typically issued for 1, 5, or 10 years. Longer validity means higher upfront fees but lower renewal overhead.
Renewal must be initiated at least 60 days before expiry through the MAITRI portal.
Amendments required for:
OSH Re-Registration — The Compliance Action Most Factories Don't Know About
This section is Maharashtra-specific and time-critical.
Under Rule 3(A)(3) of the Maharashtra OSH Rules 2026, every establishment already registered under the Factories Act, 1948 must file a fresh application in Form 1 electronically within 6 months of the Code coming into force. This applies to over 33,000 currently-registered factories in Maharashtra.
What this means for your factory:
Our OSH Re-Registration Package covers the entire transition:
Industrial Hubs We Cover in Maharashtra
Maharashtra's industrial ecosystem is spread across multiple MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) zones and industrial estates. We have team presence and DISH-office familiarity across every major hub.
Pune & Pimpri-Chinchwad Belt
MIDC Chakan, MIDC Ranjangaon, MIDC Pimpri, MIDC Bhosari, Talegaon MIDC — the automotive and manufacturing capital of Maharashtra. Home to Tata Motors, Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, and 5000+ ancillary units. DISH office at Pune handles this jurisdiction.
Specialized sectors: Automotive & components, engineering, electronics, IT hardware, food processing.
Mumbai & MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region)
MIDC Andheri, MIDC Bhandup, MIDC Taloja, MIDC Turbhe, Kalyan-Ambernath belt, Panvel-Uran industrial corridor. Historically Mumbai's manufacturing was in Girangaon (South Mumbai); today most factories operate from MIDCs in Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts.
Specialized sectors: Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering, FMCG, packaging.
Nashik & Sinnar
MIDC Ambad, MIDC Satpur, MIDC Sinnar, Malegaon industrial area. Nashik is Maharashtra's third-largest industrial city with strong automotive and defense manufacturing presence.
Specialized sectors: Automotive components, defense manufacturing, agri-processing, wine industry, engineering.
Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar)
MIDC Waluj, MIDC Shendra, MIDC Chikalthana, DMIC Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC). Rising manufacturing hub with strong pharma and auto presence.
Specialized sectors: Pharmaceuticals, automotive, engineering, brewing.
Other Coverage
Nagpur (MIDC Butibori, MIHAN), Kolhapur (MIDC Kagal-Hatkanangale), Sangli, Solapur, Amravati, Ratnagiri (Lote Parashuram MIDC).
Specialized sectors: Textiles, foundry, chemical complexes, multi-sector.
Whichever MIDC or industrial estate your factory is in, we've filed licenses there. Our team knows the DISH sub-office personnel, portal quirks, and inspector patterns for every jurisdiction.
Beyond the License — Complete Maharashtra Compliance Ecosystem
A factory license is Step 1. Operating in Maharashtra requires 10+ additional registrations and ongoing statutory compliance:
Penalties for Non-Compliance in Maharashtra
Under Section 92 of the Factories Act, 1948, and now under the OSH Code, 2020:
Beyond fines, non-compliance in Maharashtra triggers immediate shutdown notices from DISH, sealing of premises, disqualification from state industrial subsidies (Maharashtra Industrial Policy 2019 benefits), and GST/MSME classification risks.
Why Choose Us for Your Maharashtra Factory License
MAITRI Portal Mastery
Filing on MAITRI is not straightforward. The portal has quirks around document formats, size limits, session timeouts, and validation rules. We've filed enough applications to know every workaround.
DISH Office Familiarity
Different DISH offices (Pune, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nashik) have different query patterns and documentation preferences. We tailor applications to each office's expectations.
OSH Rules 2026 Ready
We are already filing under the new Form 1 format wherever transition is in effect. We handle re-registration for existing Factories Act licensees as a dedicated service.
End-to-End Execution
From MPCB CTE to Fire NOC to structural stability to Form 1 filing to inspector visit to license delivery — one team, one accountability line.
Post-License Compliance Bundle
Renewals, returns, amendments, PF/ESI, payroll, and full labour compliance available as a Maharashtra retainer.
Manpower Supply Included
Need workers for your Pune or Aurangabad factory ramp-up? We're a licensed CLRA contractor across Maharashtra. Same team, zero coordination gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your Maharashtra Factory License Filed in 22-30 Days
Book a free discovery call with our senior Maharashtra compliance expert. We'll review your factory type, MIDC location, current license status, and OSH re-registration requirement — and give you a fixed-scope quote with clear timelines.