National Single Window System and India’s Ease of Doing Business
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The National Single Window System (NSWS) was launched on 22 September 2021.
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NSWS is implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
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NSWS helps investors identify, apply for and track business approvals through a single digital interface.
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The Know Your Approvals (KYA) module identifies approvals applicable to a business based on its proposed activities.
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NSWS provides applications for approvals from 32 Central Ministries/Departments and 34 State Governments and Union Territories.
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The Common Registration Form allows applicants to submit information once and reuse it across multiple applications.
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The Applicant Dashboard enables investors to submit applications, track status and respond to departmental queries.
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A centralized Document Repository allows one-time upload and reuse of documents across multiple approvals.
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The E-Communication Module facilitates online exchange of queries and clarifications between applicants and government authorities.
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Registration on NSWS is free, but applicants must pay the statutory fees prescribed by the concerned authority.
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Permanent Account Number (PAN) is used as the Single Business ID on NSWS.
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The Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal has been integrated with NSWS for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) applications requiring government approval.
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Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum and Industrial Licence processes were fully migrated to NSWS in October 2025 and March 2026 respectively.
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As of 21 September 2026, NSWS had onboarded more than 5.69 lakh business entities and provided access to over 327 Central approvals and 3,452 State approvals.
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NSWS supports Ease of Doing Business by reducing duplication, compliance burden and approval timelines while improving transparency and coordination.
Must Know Terms
1. National Single Window System
The National Single Window System (NSWS) is a digital platform that allows investors to identify, apply for and track business approvals through a single interface.
2. Know Your Approvals
Know Your Approvals (KYA) is a module that helps businesses identify the approvals required based on their proposed activities.
3. Common Registration Form
The Common Registration Form allows applicants to enter information once and reuse the same information across multiple approval applications.
4. Applicant Dashboard
The Applicant Dashboard enables investors to submit applications, monitor their status and respond to queries raised by government departments.
5. Single Business ID
NSWS uses Permanent Account Number (PAN) as the Single Business ID for identifying business entities on the platform.
6. E-Communication Module
The E-Communication Module enables online exchange of queries, responses and clarifications between applicants and concerned government authorities.
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. With reference to the National Single Window System (NSWS), consider the following statements:
1. It was launched on 22 September 2021.
2. It is implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
3. It operates under the Ministry of Finance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2. The primary objective of the National Single Window System is to:
(a) Enable investors to identify, apply for and track business approvals through a single digital interface
(b) Replace all State Governments in granting industrial approvals
(c) Provide direct financial assistance to new businesses
(d) Function exclusively as a tax-registration portal
3. With reference to the Know Your Approvals (KYA) module, consider the following statements:
1. It helps businesses identify approvals applicable to their proposed activities.
2. It provides guidance regarding regulatory requirements.
3. It replaces the statutory approval process of concerned authorities.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2 only
4. NSWS provides applications for approvals from:
(a) 34 Central Ministries/Departments and 32 States/UTs
(b) 32 Central Ministries/Departments and 34 States/UTs
(c) 32 Central Ministries and all 36 States/UTs
(d) 34 Central Ministries and 34 States/UTs
5. Consider the following statements regarding the Common Registration Form under NSWS:
1. It allows applicants to submit information through a single interface.
2. Information submitted can be reused across multiple applications.
3. It is designed to reduce duplication of information.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only
6. Which one of the following best describes the Applicant Dashboard under NSWS?
(a) It enables applicants to submit applications, monitor status and respond to departmental queries.
(b) It is used exclusively for payment of statutory taxes.
(c) It functions only as a repository for uploaded documents.
(d) It is restricted to foreign investors.
7. Consider the following pairs:
1. Document Repository — One-time upload and reuse of documents
2. E-Communication Module — Online exchange of queries and clarifications
3. Single Business ID — Permanent Account Number
4. Applicant Dashboard — Real-time application tracking
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
8. With reference to registration and fees under NSWS, which one of the following is correct?
(a) Both registration and all statutory approvals are free of cost.
(b) Registration is free, but statutory fees prescribed by the concerned authority must be paid.
(c) Registration is chargeable, but statutory fees are waived.
(d) Only foreign entities are required to pay statutory fees.
9. Which of the following is used as the Single Business ID on NSWS?
(a) Permanent Account Number
(b) Aadhaar Number
(c) Corporate Identification Number
(d) Goods and Services Tax Identification Number
10. With reference to the Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal, consider the following statements:
1. It has been integrated with NSWS.
2. It facilitates Foreign Direct Investment applications requiring government approval.
3. It is intended exclusively for domestic MSME registration.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
11. Consider the following pairs:
1. Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum — Fully migrated to NSWS in October 2025
2. Industrial Licence — Fully migrated to NSWS in March 2026
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
12. As of 21 September 2026, which of the following correctly represents the coverage of NSWS?
(a) More than 327 State approvals and 3,452 Central approvals
(b) More than 5.69 lakh Central approvals and 327 State approvals
(c) 3,452 Central approvals and 34 State approvals
(d) More than 327 Central approvals and 3,452 State approvals
13. Consider the following statements regarding NSWS as of 21 September 2026:
1. More than 5.69 lakh business entities had been onboarded.
2. The platform provided access to over 327 Central approvals.
3. The platform provided access to 3,452 State approvals.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
14. Which of the following are expected benefits of the National Single Window System?
1. Reduction in duplication of information
2. Reduction in compliance burden
3. Reduction in approval timelines
4. Improvement in transparency and coordination
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4 only
15. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
The National Single Window System supports Ease of Doing Business in India.
Statement-II:
It integrates business approval processes through digital mechanisms such as common registration, document reuse, real-time tracking and online communication.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.
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