Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 12 June 2025
In a major step towards promoting digital governance and improving the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the Union Territory, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has successfully integrated thirty essential government services onto the National Single Window System (NSWS) Portal. This initiative, led by the District Industries Centre (DIC), Department of Industries, aims to streamline public service delivery and facilitate seamless access to approvals and clearances for entrepreneurs, investors, and citizens through a unified online platform. The services are available exclusively on the NSWS Portal at https://www.nsws.gov.in/portal/andamans.
The National Single Window System, developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, serves as a one-stop digital solution for obtaining both Central and State or Union Territory-level clearances. The integration of services by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration spans across seven departments and covers a wide range of regulatory and operational requirements in the fields of tourism, electricity, education, fire safety, labour compliance, consumer affairs, and fisheries.
As part of this initiative, the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism has enabled online permissions for film shooting and registration of parasailing and sea kart services. Tour and travel agents, tourist transport operators, and home-stay providers under the Bed and Breakfast scheme can now register through the portal. Scuba diving centres and sea walk service providers are also covered under the new system. The Department of Electricity has made applications for new electric connections—both low-tension and high-tension—available online. The Directorate of Education now facilitates the digital submission of applications for provisional school recognition. The Fire Department has introduced an online process for issuing fire clearance certificates.
The Labour Department has made a range of services available online, including approvals for factory layout plans, permissions for construction and expansion, and licensing under the Factories Act. Registrations under the Contract Labour and Inter-State Migrant Workmen Acts can also be completed digitally. In addition, applications for registration under the Shops and Establishments Act, building workers’ registration, and contractor licensing are now streamlined through the NSWS. The Directorate of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is offering dealer and repairer licenses under the Legal Metrology Act, as well as registration for packers, manufacturers, and importers of commodities. Verification and calibration of weights and measures, along with applications for new fair price shop allotments, are now part of the portal’s digital workflow. From the Department of Fisheries, permits for sport fishing, transportation of fish from the mainland, and registration of fish traders, cooperatives, and self-help groups are all now accessible through the NSWS platform.
To access the NSWS Portal, applicants are required to register using their email address and mobile number. PAN verification is done using DigiLocker credentials or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), which ensures secure and simplified identity verification. Once registered, users must create a business profile by entering essential details such as the nature of the enterprise, its legal structure, proposed activity, and operational location. This profile serves as the foundation for all future applications through the portal.
An important feature of the NSWS Portal is its integrated Know Your Approvals (KYA) module. By entering information about their proposed business or service, users receive a customized list of required approvals and licenses across various departments. This intelligent system removes uncertainty and guides users clearly through the compliance process. Applications can be submitted directly through the dashboard by filling in structured online forms, uploading necessary documents, and making payments where applicable. The portal allows real-time tracking of application status, and approved certificates and licenses can be downloaded digitally without any manual intervention.
To support users through every stage of the process, the NSWS website offers detailed user guides and official documentation. These include step-by-step instructions on how to register, create business profiles, apply for approvals, and use DigiLocker for authentication. These resources are available at https://www.nsws.gov.in/portal/user-guide, ensuring that new and existing users can easily transition to the digital system.
Investors, entrepreneurs, and members of the public are encouraged to make full use of the NSWS Portal for all relevant services. In line with this reform, departmental websites are being updated to redirect users to the NSWS platform, ensuring a smooth and consistent user experience. For additional support, applicants may visit the District Industries Centre at Udyog Parisar, Middle Point, or contact the team via phone at 03192-232819 or 232601, or through email at dicandaman@gmail.com.
This initiative highlights the Administration’s commitment to improving transparency, responsiveness, and efficiency in governance. The integration of government services with the NSWS marks a significant stride towards a digitally inclusive administrative ecosystem, reinforcing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an investor-ready and business-friendly destination, according to a press release from the District Industries Centre.