List of Drug and Cosmetic Licences in India
The type of licence required depends on whether the business manufactures, repacks, sells, stocks, distributes, imports or tests pharmaceutical products. Applications are generally submitted to the relevant State Licensing Authority or CDSCO, depending on the product and activity.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Licences
| Licence form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form 25 | Form 24 | Manufacture of drugs other than those specified in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 25-A | Form 24-A | Loan licence for drugs covered under Form 25 |
| Form 25-B | Form 24-B | Repacking of drugs other than those specified in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 25-F | Form 24-F | Manufacture of Schedule X drugs not specified in Schedules C and C(1) |
| Form 28 | Form 27 | Manufacture of drugs specified in Schedules C and C(1), excluding Schedule X |
| Form 28-A | Form 27-A | Loan licence for drugs covered under Form 28 |
| Form 28-B | Form 27-B | Manufacture of drugs specified in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 28-D | Form 27-D | Manufacture of large-volume parenterals, sera and vaccines, excluding Schedule X |
| Form 28-E | Form 27-E | Manufacture of blood products |
Learn more about starting a pharmaceutical manufacturing company and the difference between loan licensing and third-party manufacturing.
Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Manufacturing Licences
| Licence form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form 25-D | Form 24-D | Manufacture for sale of Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani medicines |
| Form 25-E | Form 24-E | Loan licence for manufacturing Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani medicines |
| Form 26-E-1 | As applicable | GMP certificate for an Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani manufacturing facility |
Read the detailed guide on how to start an Ayurvedic manufacturing company and the area and machinery required for an Ayurvedic unit.
Homoeopathic Medicine Manufacturing Licence
| Licence form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form 25-C | Form 24-C | Manufacture for sale or distribution of homoeopathic medicines |
Cosmetic Manufacturing Licences
The old Forms 31, 31-A, 32 and 32-A should not be presented as the current application route. Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, the applicable forms are:
| Licence form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form COS-8 | Form COS-5 | Licence to manufacture cosmetics for sale or distribution |
| Form COS-9 | Form COS-6 | Loan licence to manufacture cosmetics for sale or distribution |
| Form COS-3 | Form COS-12 | Prior permission to manufacture a new cosmetic |
The licences in Forms COS-8 and COS-9 remain valid perpetually, subject to payment of the prescribed retention fee every five years. See the official CDSCO Cosmetics Rules and guidance.
Blood Bank Licences
| Licence form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form 28-C | Form 27-C | Operation of a blood bank for collection, storage and processing of whole human blood or blood components |
| Form 28-E | Form 27-E | Manufacture of blood products |
Drug-Testing Laboratory Approval
| Approval form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form 37 | Form 36 | Approval of a laboratory testing drugs, cosmetics or associated raw materials on behalf of licensed manufacturers |
Retail and Wholesale Drug Licences
Retail Drug Licences
| Licence form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form 20 | Form 19 | Retail sale of drugs other than those specified in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 20-A | Form 19-A | Restricted retail sale of drugs other than those in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 21 | Form 19 | Retail sale of drugs specified in Schedules C and C(1), excluding Schedule X |
| Form 21-A | Form 19-A | Restricted retail sale of specified Schedule C(1) drugs |
| Form 20-F | Form 19-C | Retail sale of Schedule X drugs |
| Form 20-C | Form 19-B | Retail sale of homoeopathic medicines |
Check out requirements to start pharmacy and chemist shop in India
Wholesale Drug Licences
| Licence form | Application form | Purpose |
| Form 20-B | Form 19 | Wholesale sale or distribution of drugs other than those in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 21-B | Form 19 | Wholesale sale or distribution of drugs specified in Schedules C and C(1), excluding Schedule X |
| Form 20-G | Form 19-C | Wholesale sale or distribution of Schedule X drugs |
| Form 20-D | Form 19-B | Wholesale sale or distribution of homoeopathic medicines |
Most general allopathic medicine wholesalers require both Forms 20-B and 21-B. Read the complete guide to starting a pharmaceutical wholesale, stockist or distribution business.
Medical-Device Registration
Businesses exclusively stocking, selling or distributing medical devices generally require registration in Form MD-42 under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. The applicable manufacturing forms depend on the device classification.
Read more about starting a surgical dressing or medical-device manufacturing business.
Documents Commonly Required
The precise requirements differ by licence, product and state, but commonly include:
- Application form and government-fee receipt
- Constitution documents of the firm
- PAN, GST and business-registration documents
- Proof of ownership or registered rent/lease agreement
- Site plan and key plan of the premises
- Details of manufacturing, storage and testing areas
- List of machinery and laboratory equipment
- Qualification and experience records of technical staff
- Appointment, consent and joining letters of technical personnel
- Product list with complete compositions
- Testing arrangements and quality-control documentation
- Affidavits or undertakings required by the licensing authority
- Power of attorney or authorization letter
- Applicable fire, pollution and local-body approvals
Important Clarification for Ayurvedic and Cosmetic Products
A separate retail drug licence is generally not prescribed merely for selling ordinary Ayurvedic medicines or cosmetics. However, this does not mean that every business can operate without registration.
Depending on the products and business model, the establishment may still require:
- Business registration
- GST registration
- Shop and Establishment registration
- FSSAI licence for food or nutraceutical products
- Wholesale drug licence where allopathic medicines are stocked or sold
- AYUSH manufacturing licence for manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines
- Cosmetic manufacturing licence for manufacturing cosmetics
- Import registration for imported cosmetics
- Local municipal or trade permissions
For a marketed-by business, see how to start an Ayurvedic marketing company and whether a drug licence is required at the marketed-by address.
Disclaimer: Licensing requirements can vary according to product classification, business activity and state-level procedures. Applicants should confirm the current requirements with the applicable State Licensing Authority, State AYUSH Department or CDSCO before applying.
Looking for Ayurvedic Franchise or Distribution Opportunities?
Looking to start an Ayurvedic franchise, become a distributor, or launch your own herbal product range?
Elzac Herbal India offers:
- Ayurvedic & Herbal Product Range
- Franchise & Distribution Opportunities
- Third-Party Manufacturing Services
- Product Development Support
- Marketing Guidance
- PAN India Business Opportunities
Whether you are an entrepreneur, retailer, distributor, or healthcare professional, our team can help you explore the right business opportunity in the growing Ayurvedic sector.
Contact us today to discuss ayurvedic franchise, distribution, or third-party manufacturing opportunities.

Hi.
I am from Pune and having a Medical Store. I wanted to expand the business and so looking for any kind of distributorship,Franchise or C&F.
Kindly let me know if you have any kind of business opportunity.
Mahesh Bachhav
9960461009
Hi.
I am from Pune and having a Medical Store. I wanted to expand the business and so looking for any kind of distributorship,Franchise or C&F.
Kindly let me know if you have any kind of business opportunity.
Mahesh Bachhav
9960461009
Dear sir
we are —– LABS LTD KALA-AMB,HIMACHAL Pradesh. We need distributor and we want to open pharma franchises all India basis. So if you are interested please feel to contact :
Manish kumar
—— Labs Ltd.Kala-Amb.
Need Franchise pcd price list
Hello we are Offering Pharma Franchise on monopoly and PCD basis in all over india .if you are interested in Pharma PCD get in touch now.