Legal Cost Guide · 2026
Gun Licence Cost in India 2026
The honest, all-in cost of getting a firearm licence in India — official fees, hidden costs, state-by-state, timelines, and the legal no-licence alternative most Indians actually buy.
Updated August 2026 · 12 min read
Direct Answer
Getting a gun licence in India in 2026 costs ₹4,000 to ₹10,000 in official fees (application ₹500–₹5,000, medical ₹500–₹2,000, storage safe ₹8,000–₹40,000 if state-mandated), takes 6–18 months, and rejection on the first attempt is common. The gun itself is separate: entry-level OFB revolver ₹35,000, licensed rifle from ₹60,000, imported pistol ₹1,50,000+. Total realistic project cost: ₹40,000–₹2,00,000 spread over a year+. For most buyers whose real use case is target practice, a no-licence .177 air gun (₹8,400–₹30,000, delivers within 7–9 days*) is the pragmatic answer.
Official Arms Act licence fees — the government sticker price
Under the Arms Act 1959 and Arms Rules 2016, the fees for a civilian firearm licence are set by each state government but fall within a nationally-consistent range. Here’s the fee-only picture (before any of the other required costs):
| Licence type | Fresh licence fee | Renewal (every 3 years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Arms Act (pistol/revolver/rifle) | ₹500–₹5,000 | ₹500–₹3,000 | The default civilian licence — covers .32 pistol, .315 rifle, 12-bore shotgun |
| Restricted category (imported / semi-auto) | ₹5,000–₹20,000 | ₹3,000–₹10,000 | For pistols not on the standard civilian list; approval rare |
| Prohibited category (fully-auto etc.) | N/A | N/A | Not issued to civilians — only for security personnel |
| Sport-shooting licence (NRAI-affiliated) | ₹500–₹2,000 | ₹500 | Tied to NRAI membership; easier to obtain for competitive shooters |
| Renewal of expired licence (lapsed <1 year) | ₹1,000–₹5,000 | — | Above the standard renewal fee, plus late-fee penalty |
These are the DIRECT government fees. In practice, the total out-of-pocket is 5–10× higher once you add everything below.
Total all-in cost — the real number
The Arms Act permit fee is only one line item. Here’s a realistic budget for a fresh licence + entry-level firearm in 2026:
| Item | Realistic cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹500–₹5,000 | Set by state |
| Medical fitness certificate | ₹500–₹2,000 | From a registered civil hospital or listed practitioner |
| Character verification | Officially free; ₹1,000–₹3,000 via agent | Police verification of address + antecedents |
| Passport-size photos, notarised affidavits | ₹500–₹1,000 | Standard KYC |
| Storage safe (state-mandated) | ₹8,000–₹40,000 | Steel gun cabinet, bolted to floor |
| Licence book + serial | ₹200–₹500 | Physical book that logs ammunition purchases |
| Renewal every 3 years | ₹500–₹3,000 | Repeated for life of ownership |
| Firearm itself (entry-level) | ₹35,000 (OFB revolver) | Up to ₹4,00,000 for imported pistols |
| First 100 rounds ammunition | ₹800–₹2,500 | Logged in your licence book |
| TOTAL (all-in, first year) | ₹46,000–₹60,000 minimum | For an OFB Ashani .32 setup; more for imports |
Reality check: ₹46,000 minimum for a licensed firearm is the OPTIMISTIC number. If your first application is rejected (which happens ~40–60% of the time to first-time civilian applicants), add ₹5,000–₹15,000 in re-application fees + agent costs + another 12 months. If you want an imported pistol (Glock, SIG, Beretta), realistic total climbs to ₹2,00,000–₹5,00,000.
Fees by calibre — 6-round, .315, .32, 12-bore
The licence FEE is identical across civilian calibres — the differences are in the gun cost, ammunition quota, and use-case justification the state authority accepts.
“6-round” licence (revolver / pistol)
“6-round” refers to the standard civilian permit that allows carrying 6 loaded cartridges — the typical capacity of a .32 revolver. Fee: ₹500–₹5,000 depending on state. Gun cost: OFB Ashani ₹35,000–₹45,000, Nirbheek ₹1,20,000. Total budget: ₹42,000–₹1,30,000.
.315 bore rifle licence
India’s most popular civilian sporting rifle calibre. Fee: ₹500–₹5,000. Rifle cost: OFB .315 sporting rifle ₹60,000–₹80,000; imported bolt-actions (Zastava, CZ) ₹1,50,000+. Ammunition quota typically 50–100 rounds per year. Total budget: ₹68,000–₹1,60,000.
.32 bore pistol licence
Same fee tier: ₹500–₹5,000. Gun: OFB Ashani ₹35,000, IOF .32 automatic ₹65,000, imported pistols ₹1,50,000+. Approval rate for personal-safety justification is roughly 20–30%, higher if you can document a specific threat or work in a high-risk profession (jeweller, cash-in-transit, high-net-worth individual).
12-bore shotgun licence
Fee: ₹500–₹5,000. Gun: OFB 12-bore double-barrel ₹50,000–₹90,000; imported ₹1,50,000+. Justification: sport shooting, crop protection on agricultural land, or property defence with documented need. Ammunition (shells) locally available at ₹40–₹80 per round; annual quota 100–200 rounds.
Air rifle note: Only a .177 air rifle under 20 J is licence-free; a .22 air rifle needs a licence under the Arms Rules 2016. Air rifles are for target shooting — never shoot birds or animals; parakeets and most wild birds are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. See .22 Air Rifle Price in India.
State-by-state variance — who charges more, who issues more
Every state sets its own fee within a national range. Broadly:
| State | Typical fee (fresh licence) | Issuance rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | ₹3,000–₹5,000 | High | Strong sport-shooting culture |
| Haryana | ₹2,500–₹5,000 | High | Similar to Punjab |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹2,000–₹5,000 | Medium-High | Long processing (12–18 months) |
| Bihar | ₹1,500–₹4,000 | Medium | Property-defence justification common |
| Rajasthan | ₹1,000–₹3,000 | Medium | Rural pest-control basis accepted |
| Maharashtra | ₹500–₹2,000 | Low | Strict on personal-safety justification |
| Karnataka / Tamil Nadu | ₹500–₹1,500 | Very low | Focus on sport/NRAI applications |
| Kerala | ₹500–₹1,500 | Very low | One of the strictest issuance regimes |
| Delhi (NCT) | ₹1,000–₹3,000 | Low | Threat-specific justification required |
| J&K / Northeast | Variable | Variable | Reciprocal permits + zone restrictions |
*Fee ranges are indicative for 2026; verify current state notification before applying. Issuance-rate labels are qualitative, based on public grant vs application data trends.
Timeline + step-by-step process
Fresh licence, standard civilian applicant, no complications:
- Online application (Week 1): file via state ALIS portal or district magistrate’s office. Attach ID, address proof, medical certificate, justification statement, passport photos.
- Police verification (Weeks 2–16): local police visits your residence to verify address; separate character verification with your listed references.
- Magistrate hearing (Weeks 12–20): you appear before the licensing authority to explain your need. This is where most rejections happen.
- Storage safe inspection (Weeks 20–28): once verbally cleared, install the safe at your residence and get it inspected.
- Licence issuance (Weeks 24–36): fee payment + physical licence book + digital ALIS entry.
- Gun purchase (post-issuance): only from authorised dealers or the OFB — you take the licence book to the dealer, the dealer logs the gun’s serial number into your book.
Add 2–6 months if any step is delayed, and 8–12 months if the first application is rejected and you appeal. Renewal (once you already hold a licence) takes 30–60 days.
The no-licence alternative — what most Indians actually do
Under the Arms Rules 2016, air pistols and air rifles of .177 calibre with muzzle energy below 20 joules need no arms licence (MHA FAQ). They must be sold by a licensed air-weapon dealer who records your photo ID and address proof. That means:
- No licence application fee, no medical certificate, no storage safe, no character verification — just photo ID and address proof at purchase
- Buy online → delivered pan-India within 7–9 days*
- Legal in every Indian state (a few ask for a courtesy intimation letter, not a licence)
- Prices: ₹8,400 for a spring pistol up to ₹30,000 for a PCP rifle combo
| Aspect | Licensed firearm | No-licence air gun |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost (all-in) | ₹46,000–₹5,00,000 | ₹8,400–₹30,000 |
| Time to own | 6–18 months | 3–5 days |
| Paperwork | Extensive (medical, police, magistrate) | Photo ID + address proof only |
| Legal for target/sport? | Yes (with licence) | Yes |
| Calibre / power limit | Per licence | .177 and under 20 J |
| Renewal / recurring cost | ₹500–₹3,000 every 3 years | None (pellets only) |
| Approval / rejection risk | 40–60% first-time rejection | No approval needed |
The pragmatic reality: if your use case is target practice, plinking, sport-shooting training, or simply owning a functional gun for the experience — a legal no-licence air gun does the job for a fraction of the cost and effort. If you have a documented, specific self-defence need against a verifiable threat — start the Arms Act licence process, but budget properly.
Full alternatives + product list: Gun Price in India 2026 · Non-Licensed Guns in India · Air Gun Laws in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost of getting a gun licence in India in 2026?
Realistic all-in cost for a fresh Arms Act licence in India in 2026 is ₹4,000–₹10,000 in official fees and required documents, plus 6–18 months of waiting. Break-up: application fee ₹500–₹5,000 depending on state, medical certificate ₹500–₹2,000, character verification (usually free but agents charge ₹1,000–₹3,000), storage safe if state-mandated ₹8,000–₹40,000, and renewal every 3 years at ₹500–₹3,000. The gun itself is separate: an entry-level OFB revolver starts at ₹35,000, an imported pistol at ₹1,50,000+. Add all that up and a licensed firearm is a ₹40,000 minimum project that takes over a year. Most Indians who want to legally own a gun end up buying a .177 air pistol under 20 J (₹8,400–₹30,000, no licence, delivers within 7–9 days*) instead — see our full comparison.
How much does a 6-round gun licence cost in India?
A "6-round licence" refers to the standard Arms Act permit for a rimfire firearm or handgun that allows civilian ownership. The permit fee itself is ₹500–₹5,000 depending on state (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab charge on the higher end; Kerala, Maharashtra on the lower). This is JUST the government fee — not the total cost, which is far higher once you add the medical certificate, character verification, storage safe, and the gun. The "6-round" designation refers to the six cartridges you are legally allowed to carry loaded; it does not affect the fee. Every Indian state now issues digital licences through the ALIS (Arms Licence Issuance System) portal, which has standardised the process but not the price.
What is the price of a .315 bore rifle licence in India?
A .315 bore is India's most popular civilian sporting rifle calibre — used for sport and target shooting under licence. The licence fee for a .315 rifle is ₹500–₹5,000 depending on state, same as any Arms Act licence. The rifle itself — typically an Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) .315 sporting rifle — costs ₹60,000–₹80,000 new; imported bolt-actions (Zastava, CZ) cost ₹1,50,000+. Ammunition is heavily regulated: your licence card lists a per-year ammunition quota (usually 50–100 rounds), and each cartridge is logged in your book. Total realistic project cost for a .315 rifle setup: ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 including licence, medical, safe, and first year's ammunition, spread over 12–18 months of processing.
How much does a .32 bore pistol licence cost in India?
A .32 bore is the standard civilian self-defence handgun calibre in India — most commonly the OFB Ashani revolver or Nirbheek. The licence fee is ₹500–₹5,000 depending on state. The pistol itself: OFB Ashani ₹35,000–₹45,000, Nirbheek (branded for women) ₹1,20,000, IOF .32 automatic ₹65,000. For a .32 licence, the state authority typically asks for a specific threat justification — "I want it for personal safety" is usually rejected; you need a documented incident, threat letter, or profession (jeweller, cash-in-transit, high-net-worth) that establishes need. Approval rate for fresh .32 licences to private individuals is roughly 20–30% nationally, higher in Punjab and lower in Kerala. Storage safe is state-mandated (₹8,000–₹40,000) once the licence is granted.
What is the cheapest firearm licence to get in India?
The cheapest firearm you can legally own in India is the OFB Ashani .32 revolver at ~₹35,000, and the cheapest licence category is the standard sporting/self-defence Arms Act permit at ₹500–₹5,000 depending on state. But that's the fee — not the total cost or the wait. If your goal is simply "own a gun cheaply and legally," you have two paths: (a) 12–18 months of paperwork + ₹40,000 minimum for a licensed .32 revolver, OR (b) ₹8,400 for a Camstar Star Leo .177 spring air pistol under 20 joules that needs NO arms licence under the Arms Rules 2016 — bought from a licensed air-weapon dealer with photo ID and address proof. For most Indians who want a gun for target practice or plinking, option (b) is the sensible answer.
How long does it take to get a gun licence in India?
A fresh Arms Act licence in India takes 6–18 months from application to issuance under normal circumstances, and rejection on the first attempt is common (roughly 40–60% of first-time civilian applications). The process: (1) online application through your state's ALIS portal or district magistrate, (2) police verification of address + character (60–120 days), (3) medical fitness examination, (4) magistrate hearing on your stated reason, (5) storage safe inspection at your residence, (6) licence issuance. Renewal is faster once you already hold a licence — usually 30–60 days. If you need a firearm urgently for verifiable safety reasons, some states have an expedited "provisional permit" pathway (~90 days) but the eligibility bar is high. If your reason is target practice or sport shooting, honestly, save yourself the licence process and buy a legal no-licence .177 air gun instead.
Is a gun licence cheaper in Punjab or Uttar Pradesh?
Punjab, Haryana, and UP historically have both the highest licence-issuance rates AND some of the highest fees in India (₹3,000–₹5,000 for a fresh licence in these states). Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu tend to charge less (₹500–₹1,500) but issue far fewer new licences. The 2016 amendments to the Arms Rules standardised the FORMAT of the fee across states but not the amount — each state government sets its own schedule. If you're seriously considering a firearm licence, budget ₹5,000 for fees + ₹8,000–₹40,000 for a state-approved storage safe + the gun cost, and expect the process to take at least a year regardless of state. For anyone whose primary use case is target practice or backyard shooting, we recommend the no-licence air-gun path: same day online purchase, delivered within 7–9 days* pan-India, no arms licence (photo ID and address proof only).
Can I buy a gun in India without any licence?
You can legally own .177-calibre (4.5 mm) air pistols and air rifles with muzzle energy under 20 joules WITHOUT an arms licence in India, under the Arms Rules 2016. They must be bought from a licensed air-weapon dealer who records your photo ID and address proof. An air gun above 20 joules or larger than .177 (for example a .22 air rifle) needs a licence, and anything using gunpowder as propellant (rimfire .22LR, .315, .32, 12-bore, .303 etc.) is a firearm that needs the full Arms Act licence. Every Camstar Sports airgun is .177 and engineered to stay under 20 J. If you want to own a gun today without a licence, buy a legal .177 air gun. If you want a firearm, budget 12–18 months and ₹40,000+.
Own an air gun legally, no arms licence
Camstar Sports · Free pan-India delivery · 1-year warranty · No licence: .177, under 20 J
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