If you own a small or medium business in India, you might already know that Udyam Registration is the official process to get recognized as a Micro, Small, or Medium Enterprise (MSME). Once you register, you receive a Udyam Certificate, which is your official proof of MSME status.
But here’s the question most business owners ask:
How long is the Udyam Certificate valid?
1. What is the Udyam Certificate?
The Udyam Certificate is an official government-issued document that confirms your business is registered as an MSME under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
It contains:
Your Udyam Registration Number (URN)
Business name and type
Date of registration
Category (Micro, Small, Medium)
NIC codes for your activities
QR code for verification
You receive it in digital format (PDF) — no physical copy is sent by post.
2. Is the Udyam Certificate Valid for a Lifetime?
The Udyam Certificate is valid for a lifetime, as per current MSME Udyam Registration Online rules in India.
This means that once you register, you don’t have to renew it every few years like some other licenses.
However — and this is important — you still need to update your details if certain business conditions change.
Lifetime Validity Explained
No Renewal Fees – Once issued, your certificate remains active.
Permanent URN – Your Udyam Registration Number never changes.
Digital Verification – Anyone can verify your certificate online anytime.
But, there’s a catch — the validity can be affected if your business no longer meets MSME criteria or if you fail to update changes.
3. Situations Where You Must Update Your Udyam Certificate
Even though the certificate has lifetime validity, your business data in the Udyam system must always be accurate. You must update your registration in cases like:
Change in turnover (e.g., moving from Micro to Small category)
Change in investment in plant & machinery or equipment
Change in business address
Change in ownership or business type
Addition or removal of business activities
Closure of the business
If you ignore updates, your certificate might get marked as inactive in the MSME database.
4. What Happens If You Don’t Update Your Details?
If you fail to update your Udyam registration when required:
You may lose eligibility for MSME benefits like subsidies, lower interest rates, and tender advantages.
Your certificate may be flagged as outdated during government or bank verification.
You might face delays in loan approvals or payment recovery processes.
5. When Does the Validity End Automatically?
Even with lifetime validity, your Udyam Certificate may stop being valid if:
Your business turnover or investment exceeds MSME limits and you don’t reclassify.
You voluntarily cancel your registration.
The government changes MSME rules and requires fresh registration (rare, but possible).
6. MSME Classification and Its Impact on Validity
Your MSME status is based on turnover and investment:
| MSME Category | Investment Limit (Plant & Machinery/Equipment) | Annual Turnover Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | Up to ₹1 crore | Up to ₹5 crore |
| Small | Up to ₹10 crore | Up to ₹50 crore |
| Medium | Up to ₹50 crore | Up to ₹250 crore |
If your business crosses these limits, you must update your category in the Udyam portal.
7. How to Check if Your Udyam Certificate is Still Valid
You can check validity in 3 ways:
Through the official Udyam Portal – Enter your URN to see status.
By scanning the QR code on your certificate.
Through service providers like udyam-registrations.org that can verify your details and assist with updates.
8. Why Keeping Your Udyam Certificate Valid is Important
a) To Enjoy Government Benefits
Many government schemes are exclusively for valid MSMEs, such as:
Priority lending from banks
Subsidies on technology upgrades
Tender exemptions
b) To Build Credibility
A valid Udyam Certificate increases trust with clients, suppliers, and investors.
c) For Easier Compliance
A valid registration keeps your business compliant during audits or inspections.
Related read:- Benefits of udyam Registration
9. How to Update Your Udyam Certificate Details
If there’s a change in your business, updating your Udyam registration is simple:
Go to the Udyam Portal.
Choose Update Udyam Registration option.
Enter your URN and Aadhaar number.
Make necessary edits.
Verify via OTP and submit.
Professional services like udyam-registrations.org can help you do this quickly and avoid mistakes.
10. Common Myths About Udyam Certificate Validity
Myth 1: It expires every 5 years.
Truth: The certificate is valid for life unless business conditions change.
Myth 2: You need to pay yearly fees to keep it active.
Truth: There’s no annual fee for maintaining validity.
Myth 3: If your turnover increases, you lose the certificate automatically.
Truth: You just need to update your category; you won’t lose your registration.
11. How Udyam Certificate Validity Changed Over the Years
Before 2020: MSME registration under Udyog Aadhaar often required updates and renewals.
Post-July 2020: The new Udyam Registration system introduced lifetime validity for the certificate.
This shift was made to reduce paperwork and make MSME compliance easier.
12. Steps to Keep Your Certificate Active Always
Save a copy of your certificate safely.
Keep your Aadhaar, PAN, and GST details updated.
Monitor turnover and investment changes.
Update any business activity changes promptly.
Check your certificate status yearly to ensure it’s active.
13. Example Scenarios for Validity
Scenario 1: Micro to Small
A bakery invests in more equipment, pushing its investment above ₹1 crore.
Action: Update category from Micro to Small on the Udyam portal.
Scenario 2: Change in Business Address
A furniture workshop moves to a new city.
Action: Update address to keep the certificate valid.
14. Benefits of Lifetime Validity for Entrepreneurs
Peace of Mind – No renewal deadlines to remember.
Cost Saving – No recurring government fees.
Continuous Benefits – No gap in eligibility for schemes.
15. Final Takeaway
Your Udyam Certificate is a powerful document that opens doors to MSME benefits, funding, and recognition. The good news is that it comes with lifetime validity — but only if you keep your details up to date.
So, while you don’t have to worry about renewals, you must stay proactive in updating any changes to your business.
If you want a smooth, error-free process, services like udyam-registrations.org can help you register, update, and verify your Udyam Certificate without the confusion of the official portal.
