Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Rules, 2025

The Government of Kerala has published the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Rules, 2025, vide Notification G.O. (P) No. 12/2026/LBR dated 04 February 2026. The amendment revises the registration and renewal fee structure for shops and commercial establishments in the state. The revised fee framework is now linked to the projected number of employees proposed to be engaged in the establishment during a year. Key Highlights 1. Revision in Registration and Renewal Fees The amendment updates the fee structure applicable for registration and renewal of shops and commercial establishments operating in Kerala. 2. Employee-Based Fee Structure The revised fees are determined based on the number of employees proposed to be engaged in the establishment during the year, ensuring that larger establishments pay proportionately higher fees. 3. Base Fee for Establishments with Zero Employees A minimum base fee has been introduced even for establishments with no employees, ensuring that inactive or newly registered entities also comply with the registration requirements. 4. Progressive Fee Increase for Larger Establishments The amendment provides for a progressive increase in registration and renewal fees as the number of employees increases, particularly for establishments employing more than five employees. Summary The Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Rules, 2025 introduce a revised employee-based fee structure for registration and renewal of establishments, ensuring a more structured and proportionate compliance mechanism based on workforce size.