Almost every rejection or delay we see comes down to one thing: a missing or unclear document. The reassuring part is that a small core set covers most applications. Prepare these once, keep clear scans on your phone, and you will breeze through the majority of registrations.
The core five
- Aadhaar card - the identity backbone of nearly every application. Make sure your mobile number is linked, because many portals send an OTP.
- PAN card - required for business registrations, tax-linked services and anything involving a bank account.
- Passport-size photograph - a recent, clear photo on a plain background.
- Bank proof - a cancelled cheque or the first page of a passbook showing your account number and IFSC.
- Proof of premises - a rent agreement or ownership document plus a recent utility bill, for anything tied to a business address.
Add these for specific services
- Partnership deed or incorporation documents - for firms and companies.
- Food product categories and a premises layout - for FSSAI food licences.
- Property papers and the previous owner's details - for property mutation (Namantaran).
- Domicile or income supporting documents - for certain certificates and scheme applications.
How to scan them well
- Use good light and lay the document flat - avoid shadows and glare.
- Capture the whole document, all four corners, with nothing cut off.
- Keep file sizes reasonable - most portals accept PDF, JPG or PNG up to a few MB.
- Name files clearly, for example 'aadhaar-front.pdf', so you can find them fast.