Marlin Priya

Published on: Sep 16, 2026

Delhi Drug License: A Comprehensive Guide

The Drugs Control Department plays a crucial role in regulating the manufacture and sale of drugs and cosmetics in Delhi. The government has established numerous drug laws, under which the State Drug Controller manages issuing licenses for both manufacturing and sale premises for drugs and cosmetics. This article provides a detailed overview of the documents required, fees, and the procedure for online payment to obtain a Delhi Drug License.

Overview of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, empowers the competent authority to grant licenses for businesses related to drugs, medicines, and cosmetics. These licenses encompass various businesses, including homoeopathic and allopathic, but exclude ayurvedic and unani medicines. The act holds manufacturers or sellers accountable for any negligence leading to harm from their products. It also outlines penalties for failure to renew licenses upon expiry.

Delhi Drug License for Sale of Drugs

The issuance of drug sale licenses applies to both retail and wholesale distribution in India. Licensing is subject to certain conditions concerning the qualifications of individuals handling drugs and the premises requirements, including the area of the pharmacy and storage facilities.

Key Prerequisites for Sale Licenses:

Applicants must meet specific criteria to obtain a drug sale license under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940:

For retail/wholesale sales, an independent premise with a minimum area of 10 sq. m. and a height of 2.75 m is required.
For combined retail and wholesale licenses, a premise of at least 15 sq. m. with a height of 2.75 m is essential, alongside appropriate storage facilities such as cold storage and deep freezers for specialized drugs.

Types of Sale Licenses:

The type of drugs determines the necessary sale license, as detailed below:

S.N	Category	Sale Type	Application Form	License Form
1.	Drugs other than Schedule C&C(1)&X	Wholesale	19	20-B
	Retail	19	20
	Restricted (General Store)	19-A	20-A
2.	Drugs specified in Schedule C&C(1), excluding Schedule ‘X’	Wholesale	19	21-B
	Retail	19	21
	Restricted (General Store)	19-A	21-A
3.	Drugs specified in Schedule ‘X’	Wholesale	19-C	20-G
	Retail	19-C	20-F

Essential Documents for Drug Sale License

The following documents are critical for obtaining a drug sale license in Delhi:

New Application for Retail/Wholesale License:

Completed application form for relevant drug sale (19/19A/19B/19C as applicable).
Site plan and key plan for the premise.
Firm constitution documents.
Required partnership or trust deeds.
Proprietor/partner/director photo ID proof.
Affidavit about non-conviction under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Affidavit regarding MPD 2021 compliance, if at a DDA residential premise.
Online fee deposit receipts.
Registered Pharmacist documents, if applicable for retail.

Additional License Application:

The same documents as for a new application, applicable to the additional license.

Delhi Drug License for Manufacturing

To obtain a license for the manufacturing of drugs or cosmetics, the applicant must comply with the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and have a premise located in an approved industrial area. The types of licenses are outlined below:

Types of Manufacturing Licenses:

Type of License
For manufacturing in Form 25
For manufacturing in Form 25A
Additional forms detailed for various drug types...

Visit our page on Drugs License in Tiruchirappalli for further insights on drug licensing procedures across different regions in India.

Document Requirements for Manufacturing License

Applicants must submit the following documents for a drug manufacturing license:

Application in prescribed form, along with a declaration form.
Blueprints of the premise (key plan and site plan).
Ownership or rental documentation.
Firm constitution documents.
Equipment and staff details for manufacturing and testing.
No Objection Certificates from relevant authorities.

Competent Authority

Sales License: Licensing Authority of the concerned Zone
Manufacturing License: Assistant Drugs Controller of the concerned Zone

Read more about Private Limited Company Registration in Mumbai to understand how businesses can formalize operations for drug manufacturing.

Time Frame for Licensing

Sale License:

Process	Time Period
Grant of licenses for sale or application disposal	35 days
Change/addition of Registered Pharmacist	60 days
Change/addition of Competent Person	90 days

More detailed procedures and timelines for obtaining licenses for specialized medicines are discussed here.

Manufacturing License:

The license procurement period is 75 days from application receipt, provided all conditions are met.

Streamlined Application Procedure

Applications must be 'e-sent' to the designated office.
Applicants should secure a user ID and password via an online request.
All documents must be scanned and uploaded according to guidelines.
Inspectors will review original documents during evaluations.
Notification of application outcome is sent via SMS.
Print the license/certificate from the system following approval.

Explore Patent Registration Reviews for similar compliance insights in other domains.

E-Payment for Licensing Fees

Applicants can conveniently pay the required fees through the NCT Delhi e-payment portal by selecting 'Drugs Control' as the department and entering the necessary details.

Check the steps to make online payments on Aaple Sarkar Portal for an efficient fee submission process.

Back to Learn

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Delhi Drug License: Obtain Manufacturing & Sales Licenses.

The Delhi Drug License is required for the manufacture and sale of drugs and cosmetics in Delhi. It is regulated by the Drugs Control Department under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The license ensures that the manufacturer or seller complies with the necessary guidelines and standards for public safety.

For a retail or wholesale drug sale license, the applicant must have an independent premises with a minimum area of 10 sq.m. and a height of 2.75 m. For both retail and wholesale licenses, the premises should be at least 15 sq.m. with adequate storage facilities like cold storage and deep freezers.

Some of the key documents required include a system-generated application form, site and key plans, proof of constitution of the firm, ID proof of proprietor/partners/directors, affidavits regarding non-conviction and compliance with MPD 2021, online fee deposit receipts, and proof of qualification and appointment of a registered pharmacist or competent person.

If all conditions are satisfied, the process time for granting a sale license or disposing of the application is 35 days from the date of receipt. For specific cases like change in registered pharmacist or competent person, or for homoeopathic medicines, the time frame may vary from 60 to 90 days.

The applicant can make the payment of the required license fee through the e-payment portal of the NCT Delhi. They need to select the department as 'Drugs Control' and the license type, enter the payee details, and proceed with the payment.

The different types of licenses for drug manufacturing include Form 25, Form 25A, Form 25B, Form 25C, Form 25F, Form 28, Form 28A, Form 28B, Form 28C, Form 28D, Form 28DA, Form 28E, and Form 29. The form to be used depends on the specific drugs being manufactured.

Some of the key requisites include an application in the prescribed form, key plan and site plan, proof of possession and ownership, proof of constitution of the firm, list of equipment and machineries, list of technical staff with qualifications and experience, affidavits from employer and staff, list of formulations to be permitted, consent of approved testing laboratory, and NOCs from Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Delhi Fire Services (if applicable).

The period for granting a license for manufacturing drugs or cosmetics is 75 days from the date of receipt of the application, provided all conditions are satisfied.

Every application needs to be 'e-sent' by obtaining a user ID and password, and uploading the scanned documents. After the grant or rejection of the application, the applicant will receive an SMS, and can print the license or approval with a valid e-signature and official seal.

Yes, there is a separate license for the wholesale and retail sale of homoeopathic medicines. The application form for this license is Form 19-B, and the license forms are Form 20-C for retail sale and Form 20-D for wholesale sale.