Delhi Cabinet approves Delhi Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026
Single-window system to provide access to all business-related approvals, registrations and other clearances
Self-declaration for low-risk activities; approval to be granted immediately upon application in several cases: CM Rekha Gupta
New Delhi, Sept 2026 : The Delhi government has taken a major step towards making the process of doing business in the capital easier, faster, more transparent and less costly. At a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, the Delhi Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026 was approved. The Bill seeks to bring fundamental changes to the existing process for obtaining approvals, registrations, licences and other clearances for enterprises in Delhi.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government is working to create a system where business owners and entrepreneurs do not have to visit different government offices, submit the same information repeatedly or wait for long periods for the necessary approvals. Through the Bill, different business-related processes will be brought under a system that is simple, transparent, time-bound and technology-driven. The Bill seeks to move the relationship between the government and enterprises away from a system based on control and suspicion towards one based on trust and ease. Once the proposed law comes into effect, trust and convenience will be given priority in the relationship between the government and enterprises.
The Chief Minister said the most important feature of the proposed law would be a single-window system. Under this, a simple and user-friendly online system will be created where businesses can apply for approvals, registrations, no-objection certificates, consents, licences and other requirements related to their operations. This will also include services such as building plans, fire-related approvals, and water, sewer and electricity connections. Citizens and businesses will no longer need to visit different government offices and submit separate applications. The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) will be made the single nodal agency for all business approvals provided through this single-window system.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that for several activities included in Schedule-3 of the Bill, approval, permission, licence or no-objection certificate will be granted as soon as the application is submitted. Self-declaration will be accepted for specified low-risk categories and cases falling within the prescribed limits. This will provide relief from lengthy approval processes for low-risk activities. For activities not covered under Schedule-3, approvals, permissions, licences and no-objection certificates will be provided within the timelines prescribed under the Right to Timely and Easy Delivery of Services to Citizens Act, 2026. The Bill also proposes a provision for deemed approval once the prescribed time limit expires. This means that if the competent authority does not take a decision within the stipulated period, the approval will be deemed to have been granted in accordance with the provisions of the Bill.
The Chief Minister said the burden of duplicate registrations on businesses would also be reduced. Enterprises already registered under the Goods and Services Tax, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act or the labour codes will not need to obtain separate registrations for trade, health-trade, eating house, or shops and establishments. The proposed law also provides for an inspection system based on trust. No routine inspection will be carried out for three years after an enterprise is registered. However, an inspection may be conducted if a serious complaint is received.
The Chief Minister said a negative-list-based system would be adopted to provide greater freedom to conduct business. Under this system, an enterprise will be able to carry out any activity at any location, provided the activity is not included in the negative list specified in Schedule-2 of the Bill. The basic principle will be that anything that is not prohibited is permitted. This will mark a shift from a system in which anything not expressly permitted is treated as prohibited. The problem of government departments repeatedly asking for the same document or information will also be eliminated. If a document or piece of information is already available with any authority of the Delhi government, it cannot be sought again from the applicant. The system will therefore be based on the principle that an applicant should provide information to the government only once.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said these reforms will transform the many separate, interconnected, discretionary and time-consuming business processes in Delhi into an integrated, transparent, time-bound and technology-driven system. These measures are expected to significantly reduce the time, cost and uncertainty involved in doing business in Delhi. They will also help attract new investment and create employment on a larger scale. The proposed law is an important step towards establishing Delhi among the more business-friendly regions in the country. Its aim is to build an economy that is trustworthy, investment-friendly and capable of generating employment.
The Chief Minister said the Bill has been prepared as part of the second phase of the Government of India’s initiative to reduce regulation and the burden of compliance. Following its approval by the Delhi Cabinet, the Bill will now be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
