Is fire NOC mandatory in Puducherry?

Yes, for buildings that need plan approval or an occupancy certificate in Categories A and B, and for trades, clinics, schools and factories that need a licence. G.O.Ms.No.61 of 2025 lists four routes to a NOC; a non-residential Ground + 1 building in Category C self-certifies instead.

Who issues the fire NOC in Pondicherry?

The Fire Service Department of the Government of Puducherry, headed by the Divisional Fire Officer at Lawspet. The EoDB table gives the file to the Station Officer for 15 days and the Assistant Divisional Fire Officer for 15 more, with appeal to the Divisional Fire Officer.

How much does a fire NOC cost in Puducherry?

Nothing. The Citizen's Charter lists the issue of a NOC or licence as free of cost. Categories A and B pay licensed agencies for two audit certificates, at rates the agencies set and the department does not publish.

How long is a Puducherry fire NOC valid?

3 years at a time from the date of issue, under paragraph 9(C)(iii) of G.O.Ms.No.61. Schools, hospitals and large hotels in Category A, and schools and hospitals in Category B, renew every year.

Does Puducherry have a Fire Services Act?

No. G.O.Ms.No.61 of 10 September 2025 records that there is no Fire Services Act in the Union Territory; the NOC rests on Office Memorandum Fire-1/61-CG of 4 May 1966, and a model Fire Bill is under process.

Does an apartment in Puducherry need a fire NOC?

An apartment block above 17 m is Category A: a plan NOC within 21 calendar days, an occupancy inspection and a renewal every 3 years. The G.O. does not place lower residential blocks in any category.

Is the fire NOC different in Karaikal, Mahe or Yanam?

The rules are the same: one Government Order and one free NOC. Karaikal has its own Assistant Divisional Fire Officer; Mahe and Yanam each have one station, and their Station Officers handle RTI requests.

How many days does a Puducherry fire NOC take?

21 calendar days for a Category A plan or occupancy NOC, after which it is auto-generated; 7 days for a temporary event licence; 15 to 30 days for a NOC or licence under the Citizen's Charter.

Fire NOC by state 23 min read

Fire NOC in Puducherry: Categories A, B and C under G.O.Ms.No.61

Updated October 2026By Flamekite Editorial DeskFacts checked against official sources on 24 October 2026

Quick answer

Puducherry's fire NOC is free and valid 3 years under G.O.Ms.No.61 of 10 September 2025. Schools, hospitals and large hotels renew every year, and a non-residential Ground + 1 building in Category C self-certifies online instead of waiting for an inspection.

Puducherry has no Fire Services Act. The NOC rests on an Office Memorandum of 4 May 1966 and on G.O.Ms.No.61, which sorts every building into Category A, B or C, brings in licensed audit agencies and sets 21 days for a plan or occupancy NOC. The same Fire Service Department, headed by the Divisional Fire Officer at Lawspet, covers Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.

NOC fee, Citizen's Charter: Free; Audit agencies charge separately; their fees are not published; Cost lines
Validity, G.O.Ms.No.61: 3 years; Every year for schools, hospitals and large hotels; The renewal clause
Plan and occupancy NOC, Category A: 21 calendar days; Auto-generated if the department does not answer; Who signs, how fast
Agency audit certificates, A and B: Any two; Category C uploads a self-affidavit; The three categories

Free fire NOC check

Free, on WhatsApp. Or set a renewal reminder

Puducherry fire NOC at a glance

The Puducherry fire NOC in 13 facts, each with its source. Last verified October 2026.
What	The rule	Source
Issuing department	Fire Service Department, Government of Puducherry; technical head the Divisional Fire Officer, Housing Board's Circular Shopping Complex, Lawspet, Puducherry 605 008	Puducherry Fire charter
Fire Act	None: G.O.Ms.No.61 records "there is no Fire Services Act as on date in the Union Territory of Puducherry"	Puducherry G.O. 61
Legal basis of the NOC	Office Memorandum No. Fire-1/61-CG of 4 May 1966: local-body Commissioners obtain a fire NOC before a trade licence	Puducherry G.O. 61
The rule book	G.O.Ms.No.61 (Home), 10 September 2025, published in Gazette Extraordinary Part II No. 69 of 15 September 2025	Puducherry Gazette
Four routes to a NOC	Building plan approval, occupancy certificate, licensing authorities under 5 Acts, and a new industrial licence	Puducherry G.O. 61
Risk classes	Category A (11 classes, from hospitals to apartments above 17 m), Category B (G+2 and above, and schools and clinics up to G+2), Category C (non-residential Ground + 1)	Puducherry G.O. 61
Fee	Free: "Issue of NOC/ Licence - This service is free of cost"	Puducherry Fire charter
Time	21 calendar days for a Category A plan or occupancy NOC; 15 to 30 days in the Citizen's Charter; 7 days for a temporary event licence	Puducherry G.O. 61
Validity	3 years at a time from the date of issue	Puducherry G.O. 61
Yearly renewal	Schools, hospitals and large hotels in Category A; schools and hospitals in Category B	Puducherry G.O. 61
Licensed audit agencies	6 on the department's list; licence Rs 25,000, valid 3 years	Puducherry Fire Service
Technical standard	National Building Code Part 4, named by the charter and the G.O.; NBC 2016 was withdrawn on 30 April 2026	Gazette of India
Fire stations	13: 9 in Puducherry, 2 in Karaikal, 1 in Mahe, 1 in Yanam	Puducherry Fire charter

Puducherry Category A, B and C compared

The three risk categories of G.O.Ms.No.61 side by side, as published by the Fire Service Department on 24 October 2026.
Option	Category A	Category B	Category C	Source
Who falls in it	Large hotels, shopping malls, hazardous trades under 7 Acts and Rules, stores over 100 tons, hospitals, schools above G+2, apartments above 17 m	Buildings of G+2 and above such as nursing homes, marriage halls, food courts, guest houses, other industrial and commercial buildings; schools and clinics up to G+2	Non-residential Ground + 1 buildings not in A or B	Puducherry G.O. 61
Proof on the premises	Any two licensed agencies' audit certificates	Any two licensed agencies' audit certificates	Self-certified fire safety protocol certificate	Puducherry G.O. 61
Department inspection	Bi-annual	Annual	25% picked at random, with the Secretary's approval	Puducherry G.O. 61
Plan stage	Fire NOC through the Puducherry Planning Authority in 21 calendar days, else auto-generated	Fire plan by a licensed agency attached to the plan; no separate fire NOC	Fire plan by a licensed agency attached to the plan; no separate fire NOC	Puducherry G.O. 61
Occupancy stage	Department inspects; NOC, rejection or deficiency memo in 21 calendar days	Completion report by the agency the applicant names	Annexure-V statement on the PPA portal	Puducherry G.O. 61
Renewal	Every 3 years; schools, hospitals and large hotels every year	Every 3 years; schools and hospitals every year	Updated protocol every 3 years	Puducherry G.O. 61
Floor-wise fire plan	Required, uploaded and shown on each floor	Required, uploaded and shown on each floor	Not required by the G.O.	Puducherry G.O. 61

How to get a fire NOC in Puducherry, step by step

Find your category
Match the building to G.O.Ms.No.61: a hospital, a school above G+2 or an apartment above 17 m is Category A; a G+2 marriage hall is Category B; a non-residential Ground + 1 shop or office not listed elsewhere is Category C.
Hire a licensed agency where the G.O. needs one
Categories A and B display audit certificates from any two licensed agencies, and B and C plans carry a fire plan drawn by a licensed agency. The department lists 6 agencies, each licensed for 3 years.
File at the plan stage through the Planning Authority
A Category A industrial or commercial building applies only to the Puducherry Planning Authority; the Fire Service Department inspects and answers within 21 calendar days, or the NOC is auto-generated.
Apply for occupancy
At completion, the Category A file goes to the department for an inspection and a NOC, rejection or deficiency memo within 21 calendar days; a Category B file goes to the agency named in the application.
Licences outside the planning route
For a trade, clinic, school or factory licence, apply to the Divisional Fire Officer through the EoDB portal with the 17-item clearance form and the 8 self-attested documents. The NOC is free.
Category C: upload the Annexure-V statement
The owner or manager declares the fire safety protocol on the Planning Authority portal and the system issues a self-certified certificate at once.
Display, drill and renew
Show the NOC or certificate with its QR code, hold 1 fire drill a year under the department's supervision, and renew every 3 years, or every year for a school, hospital or large hotel.

Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam: one Puducherry fire NOC for four regions

The enclaves follow the same G.O.Ms.No.61 and the same free NOC. What differs is the fire station, the sub-division that commands it and the officer who answers RTI requests.

	Where it lies	Fire stations	Sub-division (ADFO)	Fire calls in 2025
Puducherry region Puducherry Fire charter	Bay of Bengal coast, bounded on three sides by Tamil Nadu	9: Puducherry, D'Nagar, Villianur, Bahour, Madukarai, Thirukkanur, Thirubuvanai, Kalapet, Sedarapet	Headquarter, North, South and West	447 fire calls, 11 deaths
Karaikal Puducherry fire calls 2025	About 130 km south on the east coast	2: Karaikal and Surakudy	ADFO Karaikal, Thalatheru, the only sub-division based outside Puducherry	128 fire calls, 7 deaths
Mahe Government of Puducherry	Malabar coast, surrounded by Kerala	1: Mahe, Puthalam	ADFO North	31 fire calls, no deaths
Yanam Yanam district	Bounded on all sides by East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh	1: Yanam, Draksharama Road	ADFO Headquarter	60 fire calls, no deaths

The Citizen's Charter tells every applicant to apply to the Divisional Fire Officer, Puducherry; in Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam the RTI officer is the local Station Officer. The neighbouring states' fire rules do not apply in the enclaves: compare the Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh pages. G.O.Ms.No.61 names only the Puducherry Planning Authority, and no document read says how its 21-day plan and occupancy route works in the three enclave towns.

What G.O.Ms.No.61 says about renewing a Puducherry fire NOC

One clause ended the yearly NOC for most of Puducherry and kept it for three kinds of building.

Word for word

(ii) In case of existing industry, business or trade under Category A, a fresh Fire NOC is to be obtained every three years, from the date of issue of occupancy certificate or previous NOC, as the case may be, excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Large Hotels. Schools, Hospitals, and Large Hotels have to renew the Fire NOCs every year.

G.O.Ms.No.61 (Home), 10 September 2025, paragraph 9(E)(ii) Puducherry G.O. 61

Paragraph 9(F)(ii) repeats it for Category B, but names only schools and hospitals for the yearly renewal. Paragraph 9(C)(iii) sets the general rule: the NOC is valid for 3 years at a time from the date of issue. The preamble explains why: NOCs were being issued year on year even where nothing in the building had changed. A new Category A or B unit needs no separate NOC after its occupancy certificate.

Does your Pondicherry hotel, school, clinic or shop need a fire NOC?

Find the line that fits. Each answer gives the clause of G.O.Ms.No.61 or the department document that decides it.

If A hospital of any size
Category A: two agency audit certificates, a bi-annual inspection and a NOC renewed every year. Puducherry G.O. 61
If A school of more than Ground + 2 floors
Category A, renewed every year. A school up to G+2 is Category B, also renewed every year, and adds its recognition and stability certificates and students' strength to the papers. Puducherry G.O. 61
If A large hotel or shopping mall
Category A, with a yearly renewal for a large hotel and a 3-year renewal for a mall. The G.O. does not define large. Puducherry G.O. 61
If A residential apartment block
Category A only above 17 m. The G.O. does not place lower apartment blocks in any category, and Category C excludes residential buildings. Puducherry G.O. 61
If A guest house, food court, marriage hall or nursing home of G+2 or more
Category B: two agency audit certificates and an annual inspection; renewal every 3 years. Puducherry G.O. 61
If A non-residential Ground + 1 shop, office or workshop
Category C: upload the Annexure-V statement for an automatic certificate; 25% of such premises may be inspected. Do I need a fire NOC? Puducherry G.O. 61
If A show, exhibition, carnival or festival
A temporary licence for less than a year, applied for at the Municipality or Revenue Department, for the whole venue; inspection within 7 calendar days. Puducherry G.O. 61
If A trader needing a municipal or commune licence
Apply through the Municipality or commune panchayat, which consults the Fire Service Department. Puducherry Fire charter

The Puducherry instruments behind a fire NOC, 1966 to 2025

No Act: a 1966 memorandum, one 2025 Government Order with five annexures, and the department's own procedures.

Fire-1/61-CG
Office Memorandum of 4 May 1966
Requires local-body Commissioners to obtain the Fire Service Department's NOC before a trade licence for any industry or commercial establishment. Puducherry G.O. 61
G.O.Ms.No.61
Home Department order of 10 September 2025
Categories A, B and C, licensed agencies, 21-day NOCs, 3-year validity, temporary licences, QR display and yearly drills, issued under the Compliance Reduction and De-regulation Initiative. Puducherry G.O. 61
Part II No. 69
Gazette Extraordinary of 15 September 2025
Publishes G.O.Ms.No.61 as a notification. Puducherry Gazette
Annexures I to IV
Licensed-agency guidelines
A committee of the Fire Secretary, the Divisional Fire Officer and an Inspector of Factories licenses agencies for 3 years, for a Rs 25,000 fee, and can suspend them after a show-cause notice. Puducherry G.O. 61
Annexure V
Category C online protocol format
Applicant, building details, floors, basements, plinth area and height, with the completion report, a proposed fire plan, and for renewal a no-change affidavit and extinguisher service proof. Puducherry G.O. 61
Service 54
EoDB stage-wise procedure
Issue of NOC or licence: free; Station Officer 15 days, then the Assistant Divisional Fire Officer 15 days; appeal to the Divisional Fire Officer. Puducherry EoDB table
17 items
Form of application for fire safety clearance
Building classification A to I, height, plinth and covered area, setbacks, occupants, hazard class, fire systems, water sources and what the clearance is for. Puducherry clearance form
Bill under process
Model Fire Bill for the Union Territory
The department's Acts and Rules page says the framework of a model Fire Bill is under process; no Bill text was found. Puducherry Fire Service

Puducherry fire NOC fees and the costs around them

The Fire Service Department charges nothing for a NOC or licence. The money in the Puducherry system goes to licensed agencies, whose fees are not published.

As published

Fire NOC or licenceFreeCitizen's Charter and the EoDB table Puducherry Fire charter
Category C fire safety protocol certificateNot publishedGenerated automatically on upload Puducherry G.O. 61
Licensed agency audit, two certificates for Category A and BNot publishedSet by each agency Puducherry G.O. 61
Agency licence, registrationRs 25,000Paid by the agency, valid 3 years Puducherry G.O. 61
Agency licence, renewalRs 25,000Equal to the registration fee Puducherry G.O. 61
Fire accident certificateFree7 days; 15 days for an insurance claim Puducherry Fire charter
Fire tender on standby at a non-government functionRs 1.50 per km and Rs 10 per dayGovernment functions free Fire Service Department, Puducherry

Puducherry is one of 7 states and UTs that charge nothing for a fire NOC; every rate is on the fire NOC fees page.

Who signs a Puducherry fire NOC: Station Officer to Divisional Fire Officer

Three department documents give three clocks. The G.O. binds the planning route; the other two describe the licence route.

1. Station Officer concerned: 15 days
The EoDB stage-wise table names the Station Officer and his crew as designated officer for service 54, Issue of NOC or licence. Puducherry EoDB table
2. Assistant Divisional Fire Officer: 15 days
The competent officer in the same table, for a further 15 days. Five ADFOs command the Headquarter, North, South, West and Karaikal sub-divisions. Puducherry EoDB table
3. Divisional Fire Officer: appeal, and 15 to 30 days
The appellate authority in the EoDB table; the Citizen's Charter names the DFO as the officer who issues the NOC in 15 to 30 days. Puducherry Fire charter
4. Category A plan or occupancy NOC: 21 calendar days
Counted from the automated access of the application on the Planning Authority's portal; with no reply, the NOC is auto-generated. Puducherry G.O. 61
5. Temporary event licence: 7 calendar days
The site inspection may be done within 7 days of the department accessing the online application. Puducherry G.O. 61

What Puducherry's fire safety clearance form asks for

The department's application form has 17 items. These are the ones an officer measures against the National Building Code.

Premises name and address with the survey number Puducherry clearance form
Building class, one of 9 (Residential to Hazardous) in Annexure-A; Assembly means 50 or more people gathering Puducherry clearance form
Height including the stilt floor, plot area, plinth area, number of floors, total covered area and basements Puducherry clearance form
Floor-wise occupancy, multiple occupancies and setbacks on all sides for each block Puducherry clearance form
Number of staff, students or workers, and the nature of the business or stored items Puducherry clearance form
Degree of hazard for an industry under NBC 2016: low, moderate or high Puducherry clearance form
Stairs, lifts, ramps, escalators, corridors and exits; canteen and LPG cylinders Puducherry clearance form
Beds (24x7 or day care) for a hospital or clinic; rooms for a lodging house Puducherry clearance form
Fire systems from extinguishers to sprinklers, detection and fire pumps, with pump bills; static tanks, wells and ponds Puducherry clearance form
8 self-attested documents, from the approved plan to a valid ID; the land document is compulsory Fire Service Department, Puducherry

Puducherry fire NOC online: the EoDB portal and the department's pages

G.O.Ms.No.61 puts every step online. Two portals carry the files; the Fire Service Department's site carries the rules.

Licences
Puducherry EoDB portal
Applications for a NOC or licence to the Divisional Fire Officer; it returned an error when Flamekite tried it on 24 October 2026. Puducherry Fire Service
eodb.py.gov.in
Rule book
G.O.Ms.No.61 (department copy)
The 23-page order with Annexures I to V. Puducherry G.O. 61
fire.py.gov.in/sites/default/files/third-party-auditcompressed-two-number.pdf
Form
Fire safety clearance application
The 17-item form and the 9 building classes. Puducherry clearance form
fire.py.gov.in/sites/default/files/form-application-applying-fire-safety-clearance.pdf
Agencies
Empanelled licensed agencies
The 6 agencies licensed for third-party fire safety audit, with their licences. Puducherry Fire Service
fire.py.gov.in/empaneled-agency-third-party-fire-safety-audit
Charter
Citizen's Charter
Services, fees, time limits and every office in the 4 regions. Puducherry Fire charter
fire.py.gov.in/sites/default/files/fireccharter_0.pdf

Puducherry Fire Service offices in Lawspet, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam

Office numbers as printed in the Citizen's Charter; emergencies 101 or 112.

Office of the Divisional Fire Officer Puducherry Fire charter
Technical head; RTI First Appellate Authority; fire@py.gov.in
Address
Housing Board's Circular Shopping Complex, Lawspet, Puducherry 605 008
Phone
0413-2251677
Website
fire.py.gov.in
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer (Headquarter) and (West) Puducherry Fire charter
RTI officer for the Puducherry region
Address
Lawspet, Puducherry 605 008
Phone
0413-2254118
Fire Prevention Wing Puducherry Fire charter
Headed by a Station Officer; firepreventionwing@gmail.com
Address
Lawspet, Puducherry 605 008
Phone
0413-2256977
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer (Karaikal) Puducherry Fire charter
Karaikal and Surakudy stations
Address
Karaikal Fire Station, Bharathiyar Road, Thalatheru, Karaikal 609 605
Phone
04368-230112
Mahe Fire Station Puducherry Fire charter
Station Officer, RTI officer for Mahe
Address
Puthalam, Mahe 673 310
Phone
0490-2332500
Yanam Fire Station Puducherry Fire charter
Station Officer, RTI officer for Yanam
Address
Draksharama Road, opposite New Bus Stand, Yanam 533 464
Phone
0884-2321288

Puducherry Fire Service and its fire NOC rules in numbers

The figures behind the Puducherry regime, from G.O.Ms.No.61, the charter and the 2025 call register.

13
Fire stations across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam Puducherry Fire charter
666
Fire calls attended in 2025 Puducherry fire calls 2025
1,093
Special service calls in 2025 Puducherry fire calls 2025
18
Lives lost in fires in 2025 Puducherry fire calls 2025
17 m
Height above which an apartment block is Category A Puducherry G.O. 61
25 %
Category C premises the department may inspect at random Puducherry G.O. 61

Puducherry fire NOC terms, from PPA to Annexure-V

The 9 terms a Puducherry applicant meets in G.O.Ms.No.61 and the department's forms.

PPA: The Puducherry Planning Authority, which receives plan and occupancy applications and passes Category A files to the Fire Service Department. Puducherry G.O. 61
Category A: The highest-risk class: 11 kinds of premises from hazardous trades to hospitals, schools above G+2 and apartments above 17 m. Puducherry G.O. 61
Category B: Buildings of G+2 and above not in A, plus schools and clinics up to G+2. Puducherry G.O. 61
Category C: Non-residential Ground + 1 buildings, self-certified. Puducherry G.O. 61
Fire Safety Audit Certificate: The certificate a licensed agency issues; Categories A and B display two of them. Puducherry G.O. 61
Fire safety protocol certificate: The self-certified certificate the portal generates for a Category C owner, updated every 3 years. Puducherry G.O. 61
Licensed Agency: A firm licensed by the departmental committee for 3 years to audit and install fire systems; no one else may do that work. Puducherry G.O. 61
Auto-generated NOC: The deemed Category A plan NOC when the department does not answer the PPA within 21 calendar days. Puducherry G.O. 61
Temporary licence: A fire licence of less than 1 year for an event, issued for the whole venue. Puducherry G.O. 61

Worked Puducherry fire NOC cases from White Town to Yanam

Flamekite’s working from the official rules; no government publishes this figure.

Flamekite's reading of G.O.Ms.No.61 for 6 premises. The categories are the G.O.'s; the buildings are examples.

Case 1
A 60-bed hospital in Puducherry town
Institutional, G+3.
What applies Category A whatever its height: two agency audit certificates on display, inspections twice a year, and a fresh NOC every year. The papers add the bed details. Puducherry G.O. 61
Case 2
A 20 m apartment block at Lawspet
Residential, 6 floors.
What applies Above 17 m, so Category A: a plan NOC through the Planning Authority in 21 calendar days, an occupancy inspection, then a NOC every 3 years. Puducherry G.O. 61
Case 3
A G+2 matriculation school at Villianur
School, ground plus 2 floors.
What applies Category B: two agency audit certificates, an annual inspection, and a yearly renewal because it is a school. Puducherry G.O. 61
Case 4
A G+2 marriage hall in Karaikal
Assembly, ground plus 2 floors.
What applies Category B: renewal every 3 years. The fire plan at the plan stage is drawn by a licensed agency; the G.O. names only the Puducherry Planning Authority, so check the Karaikal route with the ADFO Karaikal. Puducherry G.O. 61
Case 5
A Ground + 1 garment shop in Mahe
Mercantile, ground plus 1.
What applies Category C: the Annexure-V statement on the portal, an automatic certificate, an updated protocol every 3 years, and a 1-in-4 chance of a random inspection. Puducherry G.O. 61
Case 6
A 5-day trade fair at Yanam
Temporary stalls on one ground.
What applies One temporary licence for the whole venue, applied for at the Municipality or Revenue Department; the site inspection may come within 7 calendar days. Puducherry G.O. 61

What happens without a fire NOC in Puducherry, with no fire Act

With no Fire Act there is no statutory fire fine in Puducherry. The cost of non-compliance is a licence or occupancy certificate withheld, or an agency's licence lost.

Offence	Penalty	Law
Applying for a trade licence without a fire NOC	Licence not issued: Commissioners must obtain the NOC first	Office Memorandum Fire-1/61-CG of 4 May 1966 Puducherry G.O. 61
A Category A building without a fire NOC at completion	No occupancy certificate: the department uploads a rejection or deficiency memo	G.O.Ms.No.61, paragraph 9(C)(i) Puducherry G.O. 61
A school, hospital or large hotel that skips its yearly renewal	No current NOC for the licensing authority	G.O.Ms.No.61, paragraph 9(E)(ii) Puducherry G.O. 61
A licensed agency giving an audit certificate without real compliance	Licence suspended or cancelled after a show-cause notice	G.O.Ms.No.61, Annexure I, paragraphs 1(2), 2(iv) and 7 Puducherry G.O. 61
Anyone other than a licensed agency installing fire systems	Prohibited	G.O.Ms.No.61, Annexure I, paragraph 1(1) Puducherry G.O. 61
A Category C self-declaration that does not match the premises	Exposed by the 25% random inspection or an inspection at any time	G.O.Ms.No.61, paragraphs 9(A)(iii) and 9(G)(v) Puducherry G.O. 61

The G.O. names no fine or prison term. The department suspended one audit firm by an order of 16 November 2023, before the G.O.

Puducherry fire service and fire NOC rules, 1956 to 2026

Seventy years of a fire service without a fire Act, and one order in 2025 that rewrote the NOC.

1956
The Fire Service starts with 2 stations, at Puducherry and Karaikal. Puducherry Fire charter
4 May 1966
Office Memorandum Fire-1/61-CG makes a fire NOC a condition of trade licences. Puducherry G.O. 61
1981
The service leaves the Police Department for Local Administration. Puducherry Fire charter
1984
It becomes a separate department under the Secretary (Fire Service). Puducherry Fire charter
16 November 2023
The department issues a suspension order against a Secunderabad third-party audit firm. Puducherry Fire Service
10 September 2025
G.O.Ms.No.61 creates Categories A, B and C, licensed agencies and the 3-year NOC. Puducherry G.O. 61
15 September 2025
The order is published in Gazette Extraordinary Part II No. 69. Puducherry Gazette
10 October 2025
The department advertises for third-party fire safety audit agencies; its empanelment notice follows on 17 October. Puducherry Fire Service
4 December 2025
The departmental committee reports, and agency licences such as licence No. 03 are issued for 3 years. Puducherry licence 03
30 April 2026
BIS withdraws NBC 2016, the code the charter and the G.O. name; SP 7:2026 replaces it. Gazette of India
25 August 2026
The Puducherry Business Reforms Bill, 2026 is introduced (news report). News On AIRnews report

Puducherry's Business Reforms Bill 2026 and the fire NOC

From news reports, not yet an official source.

One report, August 2026. The Bill's text and its progress in the Assembly were not found.

25 August 2026
News On AIR reported that the Government introduced the Puducherry Business Reforms Bill, 2026: approvals exemption for MSMEs extended to 5 years with a further 1 year, auto-generated acknowledgement certificates and an auto-appeal, while keeping safeguards for fire and structural safety. How it would touch G.O.Ms.No.61 is not stated. News On AIRnews report

Puducherry Fire Service rules for shops, offices and malls

From the department's summer advisory for commercial establishments and the general conditions of G.O.Ms.No.61.

Do

Display the NOC, audit certificate or protocol certificate with its QR code at a prominent place. Puducherry G.O. 61
Hold 1 fire drill a year under the Fire Service Department's supervision, for Categories A, B and C alike. Puducherry G.O. 61
Use extinguishers to IS 2190:2010 and show the date of the latest refill or service on each. Puducherry G.O. 61
Keep a floor-wise fire plan on each floor of a Category A or B building. Puducherry G.O. 61
Display emergency numbers 101 and 112 and keep access roads clear for fire vehicles. Puducherry advisory

Don’t

Don't block emergency exits, staircases or fire access routes. Puducherry advisory
Don't disable fire alarms, sprinklers or hydrants, and don't make structural changes that affect fire safety without authorisation. Puducherry advisory
Don't let anyone but 1 of the licensed agencies install or audit the fire systems. Puducherry G.O. 61

Puducherry fire NOC mistakes that stall a licence or an OC

Six traps in the Puducherry rules, each with the fix.

If Diarising a 3-year renewal for a school, hospital or large hotel
These renew every year under paragraph 9(E)(ii); schools and hospitals in Category B too. Puducherry G.O. 61
If Getting one agency's audit certificate for a Category B building
The G.O. asks for certificates from any two licensed agencies for Category B as well as A. Puducherry G.O. 61
If Assuming a G+1 apartment house self-certifies under Category C
Category C covers buildings other than residential. Ask the department where a low residential block falls. Puducherry G.O. 61
If Giving each stall at a fair its own fire licence
The temporary licence is for the whole venue; the organiser files one plan for the site. Puducherry G.O. 61
If Waiting past 21 days for a Category A plan NOC
With no reply to the Planning Authority within 21 calendar days, the NOC is auto-generated. Puducherry G.O. 61
If Filing without self-attested copies
All 8 documents carry self-attestation, and the land document is compulsory on the form. Fire Service Department, Puducherry

Five myths about the fire NOC in Pondicherry

You may have read
Puducherry follows the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act.
Myth
What the sources say
No fire Act applies: G.O.Ms.No.61 records that the UT has none, and the NOC rests on a 1966 Office Memorandum. Puducherry G.O. 61
You may have read
A Puducherry fire NOC must be renewed every year.
Myth
What the sources say
Since G.O.Ms.No.61 of 10 September 2025 it lasts 3 years; only schools, hospitals and large hotels renew every year. Puducherry G.O. 61
You may have read
Mahe follows Kerala's fire rules and Yanam Andhra Pradesh's.
Myth
What the sources say
Both are served by the Puducherry Fire Service Department's own stations, under the North and Headquarter sub-divisions. Puducherry Fire charter
You may have read
The fire NOC in Puducherry has a fee.
Myth
What the sources say
The Citizen's Charter lists the issue of a NOC or licence as free of cost; the licensed agencies charge for their audits. Puducherry Fire charter
You may have read
Puducherry has adopted NBCS 2026 for its fire NOC.
Myth
What the sources say
Its documents still name NBC 2016 Part 4, withdrawn on 30 April 2026; only Assam had written NBCS 2026 into its fire law by 24 October 2026. Assam Act XIII of 2026

What Flamekite could not confirm about fire NOC in Puducherry

Eight points no official Puducherry source we read settles, as of 24 October 2026.

Whether the gazette copy of G.O.Ms.No.61 (Part II No. 69, 15 September 2025) matches the department's scan line for line: the Government Press site refused connections on 24 October 2026.

What a large hotel is. The G.O. puts large hotels in Category A and makes them renew every year, but sets no rooms, height or area line.

Whether Category B buildings need a fire NOC at the plan stage. Paragraph 9(A)(ii) speaks of the advance issue of an NOC; paragraph 9(B) says no separate NOC is required for Categories B and C.

Where a hospital of up to G+2 falls. Hospitals are listed in Category A, while clinical establishments up to G+2 are listed in Category B.

How the 21-day Planning Authority route works in Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, since the G.O. names only the Puducherry Planning Authority.

Which officer signs and in how many days: the charter says the Divisional Fire Officer in 15 to 30 days; the EoDB table says the Station Officer in 15 days, then the Assistant Divisional Fire Officer in 15.

What the licensed agencies charge for an audit, and the solvency amount the G.O. leaves to the department to fix.

When the model Fire Bill, under process since at least the department's 5 August 2026 update, will reach the Assembly, and what the Business Reforms Bill 2026 changes for fire approvals.

Questions about fire NOC in Puducherry

Is fire NOC mandatory in Puducherry?: Yes, for buildings that need plan approval or an occupancy certificate in Categories A and B, and for trades, clinics, schools and factories that need a licence. G.O.Ms.No.61 of 2025 lists four routes to a NOC; a non-residential Ground + 1 building in Category C self-certifies instead.
Who issues the fire NOC in Pondicherry?: The Fire Service Department of the Government of Puducherry, headed by the Divisional Fire Officer at Lawspet. The EoDB table gives the file to the Station Officer for 15 days and the Assistant Divisional Fire Officer for 15 more, with appeal to the Divisional Fire Officer.
How much does a fire NOC cost in Puducherry?: Nothing. The Citizen's Charter lists the issue of a NOC or licence as free of cost. Categories A and B pay licensed agencies for two audit certificates, at rates the agencies set and the department does not publish.
How long is a Puducherry fire NOC valid?: 3 years at a time from the date of issue, under paragraph 9(C)(iii) of G.O.Ms.No.61. Schools, hospitals and large hotels in Category A, and schools and hospitals in Category B, renew every year.
Does Puducherry have a Fire Services Act?: No. G.O.Ms.No.61 of 10 September 2025 records that there is no Fire Services Act in the Union Territory; the NOC rests on Office Memorandum Fire-1/61-CG of 4 May 1966, and a model Fire Bill is under process.
Does an apartment in Puducherry need a fire NOC?: An apartment block above 17 m is Category A: a plan NOC within 21 calendar days, an occupancy inspection and a renewal every 3 years. The G.O. does not place lower residential blocks in any category.
Is the fire NOC different in Karaikal, Mahe or Yanam?: The rules are the same: one Government Order and one free NOC. Karaikal has its own Assistant Divisional Fire Officer; Mahe and Yanam each have one station, and their Station Officers handle RTI requests.
How many days does a Puducherry fire NOC take?: 21 calendar days for a Category A plan or occupancy NOC, after which it is auto-generated; 7 days for a temporary event licence; 15 to 30 days for a NOC or licence under the Citizen's Charter.

Keep reading

Fire NOC in India: the complete guideWho needs a fire NOC, how to apply, and the rules in every state.
Fire NOC for guest housesCategory B guest houses here, and the line in 18 other states and UTs.
Fire NOC checkerAnswer a few questions to see whether your Puducherry premises need a NOC.
Fire NOC renewal date toolWork out when a 3-year or yearly Puducherry NOC falls due.
Fire NOC validity by statePuducherry's 3-year term against the rest of India.
Fire NOC fees by statePuducherry's free NOC beside every state that charges.
Documents for a fire NOCPuducherry's 8 self-attested items beside other states' lists.
Fire NOC in Tamil NaduThe state around Puducherry and Karaikal: TNFRS and its 18.3 m line.

Keep exploring

Fire NOC in other South Indian states

Also in Fire NOC

Sources

Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Flamekite checks its sources

Show all 19 sourcesShow fewer