Section 16 of the Arms Act, 1959: Licence Fees, Forms and Conditions
Section 16 of the Arms Act, 1959 provides that the fees, conditions and forms applicable to the grant or renewal of an arms licence are those prescribed by the rules. It also permits different requirements for different types of licences and allows the licensing authority to impose additional conditions in an individual case.
Text of Section 16 of the Arms Act, 1959
16. Fees, etc., for licence.
The fees on payment of which, the conditions subject to which and the form in which a licence shall be granted or renewed shall be such as may be prescribed:
Provided that different fees, different conditions and different forms may be prescribed for different types of licences:
Provided further that a licence may contain in addition to prescribed conditions such other conditions as may be considered necessary by the licensing authority in any particular case.
What Section 16 Means
Section 16 is an enabling provision. It does not itself set out a single fee amount or one universal licence form. Instead, it authorises the detailed fee structure, licence forms and prescribed conditions to be laid down in the rules made under the Arms Act.
The present procedural framework is contained in the Arms Rules, 2016. Different licence categories may therefore carry different fees, forms and conditions depending on the activity, firearm or ammunition involved.
Licence Fees under Rule 27 of the Arms Rules, 2016
Rule 27 of the Arms Rules, 2016 provides that every licence granted or renewed under the Rules is chargeable with the fee, if any, specified in Schedule IV, unless the Rules expressly provide otherwise.
Where a fee is prescribed for a year, a fraction of a year is charged as a whole year. The Rules also contain provisions dealing with fees for delayed renewal applications.
The exact fee depends on the licence category and the current Schedule IV. Because fee schedules may be amended, applicants should verify the applicable amount from the latest official Arms Rules and amendments rather than relying on an old fee table.
Different Licence Forms for Different Types of Licences
Section 16 expressly permits different licence forms for different types of licences. The Arms Rules, 2016 prescribe forms according to the purpose and category of licence, including licences relating to acquisition or possession, manufacture, sale, import, export, transport and other regulated activities.
The appropriate form therefore depends on the particular licence being sought under the Act and Rules.
Prescribed Conditions and Additional Licence Conditions
Section 16 distinguishes between conditions prescribed generally by the Rules and additional conditions imposed by the licensing authority in an individual case.
- Prescribed conditions: conditions laid down under the Arms Rules for the relevant licence category.
- Additional conditions: further conditions that the licensing authority considers necessary in the particular case.
A licensee must comply with the conditions applicable to the licence. Section 17 separately governs variation, suspension and revocation of licences and is relevant where licence conditions are changed or breached.
See Section 17 - Variation, suspension and revocation of licences.
Section 16 and Renewal of an Arms Licence
Section 16 applies both when a licence is first granted and when it is renewed. The renewal process therefore requires compliance with the prescribed fee, form and conditions applicable to the licence category.
Section 15 governs the duration and renewal of licences, while the Arms Rules, 2016 contain the procedural requirements for renewal.
See Section 15 - Duration and renewal of licence.
Important: Licence fees, forms and conditions are rule-based and can differ by licence category. The current Schedule IV, applicable form, licence conditions and later amendments should be checked from official sources before filing an application or renewal.
Official Legal Sources
Related Arms Act Provisions
See also Section 13 on grant of licences, Section 14 on refusal of licences, Section 15 on duration and renewal, Section 17 on variation, suspension and revocation, and Section 18 on appeals.
Last reviewed: September 7, 2026.