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Drug license in Kerala: pharmacy license, medical store license and chemist license
The authority, the official fee, the forms, the documents and where to apply for a pharmacy license (drug license) in Kerala.
Fees last checked: 28 Oct 2026
The short answer
The authority, the official fee, the forms, the documents and where to apply for a pharmacy license (drug license) in Kerala. Key facts: Issued by: Drugs Control Department, Kerala; Fee: ₹1,500 for each of Forms 20, 20B, 21 and 21B, so ₹3,000 for retail Forms 20 and 21 (this state's office); Time: 28 to 30 days.
Source: kannur.nic.in, checked 18 Oct 2026.
Fee Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source Time Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source
Get the full checklist for your city in Kerala
See every licence a pharmacy needs in your city, with the official fee for each and the documents to keep ready.
Pharmacy license in Kerala: who issues it and where to apply
The drug license (also called the pharmacy license, medical store license or chemist license) in Kerala is issued by the Drugs Control Department, Kerala. Official site: dc.kerala.gov.in.
Apply at: ONDLS (Online National Drugs Licensing System).
The department says sale licences are now issued through ONDLS. Register the firm and the technical person there, submit the application online, and the Drugs Inspector verifies the papers and does a pre-licensing inspection before the Assistant Drugs Controller issues the e-signed licence.
- The department's standard operating procedure lists a registration fee of ₹3,000 and a 30 day timeline.
- Documents include a paper from the local authority proving the premises, the pharmacist's registration certificate and the pharmacist's declaration.
Many states process sale licences on ONDLS, the national system run with CDSCO. The central rules in the table below are the same in every state; a state office can add its own checklist.
Drug license fee in Kerala
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central application fee in Form 19 (Rule 59(2)) | ₹1,500 | Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source |
| Retail licence in Kerala: total for Forms 20 and 21 at the state office | ₹1,500 for each of Forms 20, 20B, 21 and 21B, so ₹3,000 for retail Forms 20 and 21 | Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source |
| Licence retention fee, every 5 years | Same as the fee for the grant (Rule 63) | Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source |
| Schedule X (Form 19C) application | ₹500 | Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source |
Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay.
Forms and eligibility
- Retail: licence in Form 20 (and Form 21 for Schedule C and C(1) medicines), applied for in Form 19. Needs a Registered Pharmacist and at least 10 square metres.
- Wholesale: licence in Form 20B (and Form 21B), applied for in Form 19. Needs a competent person in charge and at least 10 square metres.
- Retail and wholesale together: at least 15 square metres.
- Schedule X medicines: a separate licence in Form 20F or 20G, applied for in Form 19C.
Rules 61, 64 and 65 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source Full detail: pharmacy license in India.
Documents for a retail licence
- Application in Form 19 (filled online on your state portal) and the fee receipt
- Declaration by the proprietor, partners or director (the state portal gives the format)
- Proof of the firm's constitution: partnership deed, or company details and the list of directors
- Proof of the premises: ownership papers or a rent agreement, with the owner's NOC and ID if rented
- Site plan and key plan (layout) of the premises showing the area
- Registered Pharmacist: registration certificate of the State Pharmacy Council, qualification certificate, appointment letter or consent, and a declaration or affidavit
- Details of special storage and the refrigerator purchase bill
- Photo ID and address proof of the owner or partners
- Affidavit of no conviction, if your state office asks for it
Find your licensing office in Kerala
Apply to the licensing authority for the area where the shop is. The state department lists its zone and district offices. Start from the official site dc.kerala.gov.in or the CDSCO list of State Drugs Control departments.
After you apply
What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.
Track your application
Typical time
Set by each state. Where a state publishes it: up to 35 days in Delhi, about 30 days in Tamil Nadu and Goa, up to 30 working days in Karnataka. Other states publish no time limit online.
Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source
If you operate without it
Selling medicines without a valid licence is punishable with jail for 3 to 5 years and a fine of at least ₹1,00,000 or three times the value of the medicines seized, whichever is more. A court can give a lighter sentence for special reasons it records. The stock and the fittings used can also be confiscated. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 changed sections 29, 30(2) and 32B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act but not section 27(b), as read in the Gazette copy. Changes made after that are not checked here.
Law: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, section 27(b)(ii) read with section 18(c); Drugs Rules, 1945, rule 58(2)
Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source
Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them
| Reason | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Premises are smaller than 10 square metres (15 if retail and wholesale together) or have no proper storage | Choose or change the premises so they meet Rule 64, then ask for a fresh inspection. |
| No Registered Pharmacist, or the pharmacist is not registered with the State Pharmacy Council or is named at another shop | Appoint a Registered Pharmacist who works only for you and attach the registration certificate and an appointment letter. |
| A pharmacy does not meet Schedule N (dispensing area, height, barrier, poison cupboard, apparatus) | Fix the points in Schedule N and reapply or ask for re-inspection. |
| Missing or mismatched papers: rent agreement without the owner's NOC, a different address on different papers, no site plan, wrong declaration or fee receipt | Use the same address on every paper, attach the owner's NOC, ID and ownership proof, use the formats your state portal gives (or our free samples, then confirm with your office) and pay the exact fee. |
| Earlier conviction or an earlier cancelled or suspended licence | The authority may refuse. You can appeal to the State Government within 30 days of the order. |
Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source
Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.
Free formats you may need
Printable samples you can copy, fill in and print. Each is only a sample, so check it with the issuing office.
Landlord NOC
A letter from the owner of a shop or office saying the tenant may run a business there.
Free formatPartnership consent letter
A letter signed by all partners of a firm saying one partner may apply for, sign for and hold a licence on behalf of the firm.
Free formatPharmacist consent letter
A letter from a Registered Pharmacist saying he or she agrees to work as the qualified person in charge of a pharmacy or medical store, for the drug licence application (Forms 20 and 21).
Free formatPharmacist affidavit
A sworn statement by a Registered Pharmacist giving registration details and confirming he or she will personally supervise the pharmacy named in the drug licence application.
Free formatPremises declaration
A declaration by the owner of a pharmacy or medical store giving the area, storage and ownership details of the premises, for the drug licence application.
Free formatCommon questions
Who issues the drug license in Kerala?
How much is the pharmacy license fee in Kerala?
Do I need a Registered Pharmacist to open a medical store in Kerala?
How long does a drug license take in Kerala?
Can I apply for a drug license online in Kerala?
Is Govt License a government website?
Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal
Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.
Kerala mein drug license kaise banaye?
Kerala mein drug license ki fees kitni hai?
Pharmacy license guides in Kerala
Each guide lists every licence a pharmacy or medical store needs in that city, including the drug license.