CTE NOC | Consent to Establish from Pollution Control Board
Fast & legally compliant CTE NOC approval for industrial and commercial projects.
Simplicomp Tech LLP handles complete filing, documentation & liaisoning for Pollution Control Board NOC in India.
What is a CTE NOC?
Consent to Establish (CTE) is a mandatory Pollution Control Board NOC that every industrial and commercial project must obtain before starting any construction or installation activities.
It is legally required under:
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 — Sections 25, 26 & 27
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 — Section 21
Industries and establishments — such as factories, warehouses, hospitals, hotels, malls, and infrastructure projects — are classified into Red, Orange, Green, White, and Blue categories based on their pollution potential and environmental impact (air, water, land).
This categorization follows the CPCB Classification Guidelines (12.02.205) and determines:
✔ Whether CTE is required
✔ Approval conditions & fee
✔ Pollution control measures to be installed
To obtain the CTE NOC, a project must submit an online application along with technical documents and compliance details to the State Pollution Control Board.
Who Must Obtain a CTE from Pollution Control Board?
All Red, Orange, Green, White and Blue categories
Manufacturing industries
Warehouses & cold storage facilities
Commercial buildings with DG sets
Hospitals, hotels & malls
Infrastructure & logistic projects
📝 As per updated CPCB Categorization (12.02.2025).
Why is CTE NOC Mandatory in India?
If you begin construction without CTE:
Pollution Board can stop work anytime
Heavy penalties under environmental laws
Future CTO approval may get rejected
Project delays & financial loss
✔ Simplicomp Tech LLP helps avoid all these risks
Documents Required for CTE Application
(We prepare & submit everything)
Land documents / lease / allotment
Land use permission from authority
Manufacturing process flowchart
Pollution control equipment design (ETP/STP/APCD)
Water use & effluent management plan
Chimney/stack details & air emission controls
Hazardous waste, storage & disposal plan
Capital Investment Certificate (CA Certified)
Factory layout plan
Authorization letter/Board resolution
NOC fee & performance security (if applicable)
📌 If using borewell → Groundwater NOC required (CGWA/HWRA/UPGWD)
📌 If in eco-sensitive area → Forest/Aravali/Wildlife NOC required
CTE Approval Process in India
| Step | Description |
|---|
| 1️⃣ | Industry Category (Red/Orange/Green) classification |
| 2️⃣ | Online CTE NOC filing & fee submission |
| 3️⃣ | Document evaluation |
| 4️⃣ | Inspection (if required) |
| 5️⃣ | Consent to Establish NOC Grant |
⏱ Approval Timeline: 30
📄 Validity: Up to construction completion
Why Choose Simplicomp Tech LLP for CTE NOC?
✔ 100% compliance approach — no rejection risk
✔ Faster approvals through expert handling
✔ End-to-end Pollution Control Board coordination
✔ PAN-India service including Delhi-NCR, UP, HR, UK, RJ
✔ Cost-effective compliance support
✔ Avoid penalties, notices & delays
Your project deserves a smooth start — we ensure it.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
The pollution control laws include the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Section 25, 26, and 27), and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (Section 21). These laws require both industrial and non-industrial projects to obtain a "Consent to Establish" (No Objection Certificate) from the State Pollution Control Board before they can begin operations.
The "Consent to Establish" or NOC is a pollution control certificate that industrial and non-industrial projects must obtain from the State Pollution Control Board before establishing their units. It certifies that the project complies with environmental standards under the Water and Air Pollution Acts.
All industrial and non-industrial projects, including residential, commercial, hotels, hospitals, and malls, must apply for the NOC. The classification is based on their environmental impact and pollution discharge levels.
Projects are classified into four categories: Red, Orange, Green, and White. The classification is based on the pollution discharge, its impact on the environment (land, water, air), and the pollution index. This classification helps determine the conditions for obtaining consent under the Water and Air Pollution Acts.
The project classification follows the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, which were updated by order vide letter no. B-29012/ESS(CPA)/2015-16/8571 dated 07.03.2016. This order supersedes earlier categorization issued on 15.04.2014 and has been amended periodically.
Industries are required to submit an application in a prescribed format, along with necessary enclosures, to the State Pollution Control Board. The specific format and enclosures are outlined in the respective pollution control laws.