Quick facts
- Everywhere: Section 12(3)(a): Company name and registered office address, in the local language where its script differs.
- GST: CGST Rule 18: GSTIN on the name board once registered.
- Strictest states: Karnataka (60% Kannada), Odisha (60% Odia), Tamil Nadu (Tamil first), Maharashtra (Marathi), Punjab (Punjabi on top).
- Our boards: local-language name largest, on top. Rs.1,800/- (All Inclusive).
Two national rules apply to every business board: Section 12(3)(a) of the Companies Act for Companies, and CGST Rule 18 for GST-registered businesses. Several states add their own rule on which language must appear and how big it must be.
State-by-state rules
| State | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Marathi (Devanagari), letters not smaller than other scripts | Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, Section 36-A |
| Karnataka | Kannada on 60% of the board | Karnataka 2024 language law; under challenge in the High Court |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil first and largest, 5:3:2 ratio (Tamil:English:other) | Shops and Establishments rules; fines enforced |
| Odisha | Odia on at least 60% of the board in urban areas | Housing & Urban Development directive, Aug 2025 |
| Punjab | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) on boards, on top; English below | Punjab government direction under the Punjab Official Language Act, Feb 2023 |
| West Bengal (Kolkata) | Bengali on boards within KMC limits | KMC Circular No. 63, 30 Dec 2024 |
| Gujarat | No statewide mandate; Gujarati recommended | Gujarat High Court, Aug 2023 |
For other states and Union Territories, we are not aware of a specific local-language signboard mandate for private businesses. Section 12(3)(a) still asks Companies to show the name in the local language where its script differs from English. Our guides set out the recommended format for each:
- Hindi (Devanagari) recommended: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi NCR.
- Telugu recommended: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Malayalam recommended: Kerala.
- Assamese recommended (Bengali in the Barak Valley): Assam.
- English widely used, local language optional: Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and the Union Territories.
The safe format for any state
- Local-language name on top, in the largest letters.
- English name below.
- Registered office address, CIN or LLPIN.
- GSTIN once registered.
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Frequently asked questions
Which states require signboards in the local language?
Maharashtra (Marathi), Karnataka (60% Kannada), Tamil Nadu (Tamil first), Odisha (60% Odia in urban areas), Punjab (Punjabi on top) and Kolkata (Bengali within KMC limits) have specific rules.
Does the Companies Act require the local language?
Yes. Section 12(3)(a) asks for the name in the local language as well, where its script differs from English.
Is Gujarati mandatory on signboards in Gujarat?
No. The Gujarat High Court ruled in August 2023 that it cannot be forced, but adding Gujarati is recommended.
Is Punjabi mandatory on signboards in Punjab?
In February 2023 the Punjab government directed public and private establishments to display signboards in Punjabi (Gurmukhi). Put Punjabi on top, with English below.