The National Single Window System (NSWS) is a digital platform and a concept, not a legislative act, designed to serve as a one-stop-shop for investors and businesses in India. It was announced in the Union Budget of 2020-21 and soft-launched on September 22, 2021, by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The system was created to solve the problem of a "windows within window" approach, eliminating the need for businesses to coordinate with multiple government offices for various pre-establishment and pre-operation approvals, thereby enhancing the Ease of Doing Business.
The NSWS works by providing a single interface for all Government-to-Business (G2B) clearances. Its core mechanism is the Know Your Approvals (KYA) module, which uses an intelligent questionnaire to guide investors in identifying the specific approvals required for their business. Applicants use a single dashboard to apply, track the real-time status of their applications, and respond to queries. The system also features a secure document repository, allowing for one-time submission of documents to be used across multiple applications. While the NSWS facilitates the application process, the final decision to grant the approval rests with the respective Ministry, Department, or State Government.
The platform connects to and integrates services from various government entities, currently hosting applications for approvals from 32 Central Departments and 34 State Governments. It is linked to the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) and provides strength to related concepts and schemes like 'Make in India' and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. A recent change saw the transition of key activities under the Medical Devices Rules (MDR), 2017, to the NSWS portal from January 1, 2024, with the existing cdscomdonline portal being disabled for these functions from January 15, 2024. The NSWS has also integrated the ICEGATE portal, used for customs clearance.