Is It Legal to Have Multiple Udyam Registrations? Know the Facts
If you own more than one business or operate across different industries, you may wonder:
"Can I register multiple Udyam Registrations under my name or PAN?"
With the Udyam Registration system serving as the official gateway to MSME recognition in India, it is critical to understand the legal boundaries. Multiple Udyam registrations may appear practical, but are they permitted?
In this guide, we’ll explore whether having more than one Udyam Registration is legal, what the official government rules say, and how to structure your business to stay compliant in 2025.
What Is Udyam Registration?
Udyam Registration is the official process for classifying Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Managed by the Ministry of MSME, it replaced the Udyog Aadhaar system and is:
- Linked with your PAN and Aadhaar
- Entirely online and paperless
- Mandatory to avail government schemes, subsidies, and priority lending
Upon registering, a business is assigned a Udyam Registration Number (URN) and a digital certificate.
What the Law Says: Can You Have Multiple Udyam Registrations?
The Short Answer: No, multiple Udyam Registrations under the same PAN are not permitted.
According to the MSME notification dated June 26, 2020 (effective July 1, 2020), the government clearly states:
“Any number of activities, including manufacturing or service, or both, may be specified or added in one Udyam Registration.”
This means:
- A business can have multiple activities under one registration
- But only one Udyam Registration per PAN is legally allowed
Why Is Only One Udyam Registration Allowed?
The government introduced this rule to:
- Eliminate duplication and misuse of MSME benefits
- Ensure accurate classification of enterprises
- Maintain a clean, centralized database linked with Income Tax and GST records
Each Udyam Registration pulls data from PAN, Aadhaar, and GST. Allowing multiple registrations would disrupt the financial integrity of the MSME ecosystem.
What If I Own Multiple Businesses?
You have two legal options:
1. Register All Activities Under One Udyam Certificate
If your businesses operate under the same PAN (e.g., a sole proprietorship or single company), you must:
- Use a single Udyam Registration
- Mention multiple NIC codes for different activities
- Update or modify business details as required
2. Separate Legal Entities Can Have Their Own Udyam Registrations
If each business:
- Has a different PAN (e.g., different LLPs, Pvt Ltd companies, or proprietorships)
- Operates independently
Then, each entity can have its own Udyam Registration. This is legal and valid.
What Happens If You Have Multiple Udyam Registrations Under One PAN?
If you've already created more than one registration using the same PAN:
- The newer entries may be marked invalid or rejected
- Your application for MSME benefits may be denied
- You may face issues with tender participation, bank approvals, or tax scrutiny
To correct this:
- Use the Udyam portal's update feature to consolidate activities
- Or reach out to the MSME helpdesk to deactivate duplicate URNs
How to Add Multiple Business Activities to One Udyam Registration
You don’t need multiple URNs. Instead, follow these steps:
Step-by-Step:
- Visit https://udyamregistration.gov.in
- Click on “Update Udyam Registration”
- Enter your Udyam Registration Number and verify via OTP
- Add multiple NIC codes for each business activity (manufacturing, services, or both)
- Submit and save the updated certificate
Your Udyam Certificate will now reflect all your business operations legally.
Conclusion
It is not legal to have more than one Udyam Registration under the same PAN. The government mandates a “one PAN, one Udyam” policy to ensure transparency and efficient distribution of MSME benefits.
If you own multiple businesses, structure them correctly:
- Register all under a single URN using multiple NIC codes (if under the same PAN)
- Or register each separately only if they have different PANs/legal identities
Avoid duplication it may result in deactivation, benefit rejection, or legal complications.
Need Help Consolidating or Updating Udyam Registration?
We offer expert services to:
- Merge multiple activities under one Udyam
- Fix duplicate entries
- Ensure MSME compliance and benefit eligibility