Trade licence renewal gets costly after April 1: GBA warns 100% penalty for Bengaluru businesses

The GBA has issued a fresh circular for 2026-27 trade licence renewals, urging Bengaluru entrepreneurs to act on time to avoid heavy penalties, including a 100% fine for late renewal.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has issued a new circular on trade licence renewal, bringing important news for business owners across Bengaluru. The authority has officially launched the trade licence renewal process for the 2026-27 financial year and has clearly outlined deadlines and penalties for delays.

The circular has been issued by GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, who has warned that failing to renew licences within the prescribed timeline will attract steep fines. The announcement is aimed at entrepreneurs operating in the Silicon City, urging them to complete the process well in advance.

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According to the notification, business owners can renew their trade licences without any penalty until February 28. This is the penalty-free window provided by the GBA to ensure smooth compliance.

If the renewal is completed between March 1 and March 31, a 25% penalty on the licence fee will be imposed. However, the authority has made it clear that delays beyond this period will invite much stricter action.

From April 1 onwards, entrepreneurs who apply for renewal will be required to pay a 100% penalty, meaning the fine amount will be equal to the licence fee itself. The GBA has described this as a strict measure to ensure timely renewals and better regulation of commercial activities.

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To make the process easier, the GBA has also allowed business owners to renew their trade licences for a combined period ranging from one to five financial years at a time. This option is expected to reduce repeated paperwork and provide long-term convenience to entrepreneurs.