The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is marking five years of the National Single Window System (NSWS), a digital platform launched in September 2021 that consolidates government approvals for businesses. The system allows entrepreneurs and investors to find out what permissions they need, submit applications online, and track progress through one portal instead of visiting multiple government offices.
How the system works
Investors register free of charge using email and mobile number. The platform’s Know Your Approvals module tells them which licenses and permits apply to their business based on what they plan to do. They can then submit applications for approvals from 32 Central Ministries and Departments, plus 34 State Governments and Union Territories. Once submitted, applications go electronically to the relevant government body for processing. Users pay only the statutory fees set by each authority and can track their application status in real time through a dashboard.
The system includes several tools to reduce paperwork:
- A Common Registration Form that captures information once and reuses it across multiple applications
- A Document Repository where files uploaded once can be used for all permits
- An E-Communication Module for online correspondence with government agencies
- An Applicant Dashboard for monitoring progress and responding to official queries
As of September 2026, NSWS provides access to over 327 Central approvals and 3,452 State approvals. The platform receives more than 3.06 lakh applications annually and has registered over 5.69 lakh business entities. It now covers key approvals including company registration, industrial licenses, startup recognition, and foreign investment applications. Recent additions include integration with the Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal and modules for production-related visas and petroleum licensing.
What this means for you
If you are starting a business or need government approvals, you no longer need to approach different departments separately or submit duplicate documents. The system tells you upfront which permits you need and lets you apply through one platform. Processing is faster because the government eliminates repetitive information requests and coordinates electronically. Transparency improves because you can watch your application’s progress online instead of making phone calls or office visits to check status.