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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo register for GST online in India, start at the official GST Portal under Services > Registration > New Registration. Complete Part A using the business PAN and contact details, use the TRN to finish Part B, upload premises evidence, complete the authentication and signing steps shown for your application, then submit and confirm that you have received an ARN. A TRN is only for saving and returning to a draft; it does not mean an application has been filed.
Registration is not compulsory for every business on the same turnover basis. The applicable rules depend on factors such as state, supply type and the business’s circumstances, so first determine whether and when the business is required to register. This guide covers a new registration application, not that separate legal determination.
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How do I register for GST online?
Use the GST Portal’s new-registration workflow. The portal may present different authentication steps depending on the people named in the application and its risk assessment, so follow the route displayed rather than assuming every applicant will complete the same OTP-only process.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall- Open the application: Sign in to the GST Portal and go to Services > Registration > New Registration. Choose the appropriate taxpayer type and the State/UT and district where registration is sought.
- Complete Part A: Enter the legal name as recorded against the PAN, the PAN, and the primary authorized signatory’s contact details. Complete the separate mobile and email OTP checks. The portal tutorial states that these contact OTPs are valid for 10 minutes.
- Save the TRN: Record the Temporary Reference Number (TRN) and use it to return to the application. A TRN lets you continue a draft; it is not proof that the application has been submitted. The portal says an unsubmitted application and its saved information are purged after 15 days.
- Complete the relevant Part B tabs: Fill in Business Details; Promoter/Partners; Authorized Signatory; Authorized Representative, if applicable; Principal Place of Business; Additional Places of Business, if applicable; Goods and Services; State Specific Information; Aadhaar Authentication; and Verification. Check spelling, addresses, state, district, PIN and jurisdiction selections against the underlying records.
- Upload supporting files: Attach readable evidence for the premises and any other fields that require documents. Follow the file types, size limits and upload instructions currently shown in the portal; these interface details can change.
- Complete the authentication route: Finish the Aadhaar OTP or biometric verification process if the portal assigns it, or complete the alternative photo and document verification route if presented.
- Review, sign and submit: Preview the application, correct errors, and submit using the signing method available for the applicant and entity. Save the ARN acknowledgement sent to the registered contacts.
- Track the application: Use Services > Registration > Track Application Status and monitor the registered email and mobile for status updates or a clarification notice.
The portal’s Authorised Signatory guide says, “You cannot submit your New Registration Application without selecting a Primary Authorised Signatory.” Select one before trying to file.
Before opening Part A, assemble the information for the actual applicant and the premises where the business operates. That reduces the chance of leaving the form incomplete while waiting for a document or a person to complete authentication. Keep the contact channels available: Part A uses separate mobile and email OTP checks, and the portal tutorial gives each OTP a 10-minute validity period.
What documents are required for GST registration?
The exact documents depend on the entity, its premises arrangement and the portal’s fields. Prepare the information and evidence that match the applicant’s actual circumstances rather than uploading a generic address document.
Identity, business and contact details
- Business PAN. For a proprietorship, the proprietor’s PAN is used in the portal workflow.
- Legal name exactly as associated with the PAN, plus the State/UT and district where registration is sought.
- Accessible email and Indian mobile number for the primary authorized signatory. Keep access to both because their OTP checks are separate and time-limited.
- Business constitution details and relevant promoter, partner or director information, along with the primary authorized signatory.
- Relevant goods HSN or services classification details, and details and evidence for additional places of business if the business has them.
Proof for the principal place of business
| Premises arrangement | Evidence described by the GST Portal | Practical check |
|---|---|---|
| Owned premises | Examples include a recent property tax receipt, municipal khata copy or electricity bill. | Use evidence that identifies the premises and is readable; check that the address corresponds with the application. |
| Rented or leased premises | A valid rent or lease agreement, along with evidence supporting the lessor’s ownership. | Ensure the agreement and supporting ownership evidence relate to the premises entered in the form. |
| Consent or shared premises | A consent letter with ownership evidence for the person giving consent. | Make the consent arrangement clear and include the ownership evidence the portal requests. |
The premises proof should support the arrangement selected in the form, not merely show an address that happens to be associated with the business. For example, a rented-address application needs the agreement and the supporting evidence of the lessor’s ownership described by the portal. For a consent arrangement, the consent letter and the consenter’s ownership evidence should fit the premises entered. If the documents do not support the stated arrangement, an officer may ask for clarification or a replacement upload.
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The portal tutorial currently describes PDF/JPEG uploads and premises-proof size limits, but file requirements can change. Check the live upload instructions before attaching documents. Open each file first to confirm every page is legible, and follow the portal’s instructions if more than one document is needed for a field; do not arbitrarily split or relabel files.
Authentication and signing readiness
- For Aadhaar OTP authentication, ensure the relevant person can access the registered contact channel. Depending on the application, a promoter/partner or primary authorized signatory may instead need to attend a designated GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) for biometric and document verification.
- Be ready to use the signing method supported for the applicant and entity, such as EVC, Aadhaar e-sign or DSC. If a DSC error occurs, the GST Portal’s Known Issues document suggests registering or updating the DSC being used.
Authentication and signing are related but distinct steps. Complete the verification route the portal assigns to the selected people, then use the signing option supported for the applicant to submit. The route can depend on the portal’s risk assessment; do not assume you can substitute an OTP route for a biometric requirement or that completing authentication alone files the form.
Bank details are not an initial-registration prerequisite
The current GST Portal tutorial describes bank details as optional and non-mandatory at initial registration. It says they can be added through a non-core amendment after the GSTIN is granted. Older checklists that describe bank information as universally required may not reflect the current portal instructions.
How do I complete GST REG-01?
GST REG-01 is the new-registration application completed through the portal’s Part A and Part B workflow. The TRN takes you from the initial identity and contact checks into the saved application; it does not replace the completed form or electronic submission.
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Part A: identify the applicant and verify contacts
Choose the applicant type, State/UT and district, then enter the business PAN and legal name as recorded against it. Provide the primary authorized signatory’s email and Indian mobile number, and complete both OTP validations. Keep the TRN that the portal generates so you can reopen the application.
Part B: complete only the applicable details, accurately
Work through each relevant tab, including business constitution, promoters or partners, authorized signatory, principal premises, goods and services, state-specific information, Aadhaar authentication and verification. Add an authorized representative or additional business premises when applicable. Match names and addresses to the documents that support them; inconsistencies can prompt validation issues or an officer query.
For the premises fields, select the arrangement that reflects how the business uses the address—owned, rented/leased or consent/shared—and upload the corresponding proof. Review the classification details and all address components, especially state, district and PIN, before moving to verification.
Preview, authenticate, sign and confirm filing
Use the preview to check the complete application before signing. Complete the authentication route presented by the portal and submit with an available signing option. Look for the acknowledgement and ARN after submission: a saved form, completed TRN or unfinished authentication step does not establish that the application entered processing.
As a final review, check the application against the source records rather than relying on memory. Confirm that the PAN and legal name agree; the selected signatory is present; each premises address matches its evidence; and the relevant business, promoter/partner, goods or services, and state-specific information is complete. Reopen any uploaded files before submission if there is any doubt about readability. This review cannot guarantee approval, but it can help catch inconsistencies that otherwise delay scrutiny.
What should I do if GST registration Aadhaar authentication fails?
First identify which authentication route the portal assigned. The GST Portal’s Aadhaar FAQ describes OTP authentication, biometric verification at a designated GSK, and a route where Aadhaar authentication is not selected. They have different completion requirements.
If the portal sends an OTP authentication link
Check the registered contact details of the selected promoter/partner or primary authorized signatory and complete the link within the period shown. The portal FAQ describes a 15-day period for the authentication link in applicable paths. If a link is missing, check the registered contact channels and the application status before attempting to restart or submit another application.
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If biometric verification at a GSK is required
Follow the appointment or attendance instructions for the designated GSK and ensure the required people complete biometric and document verification within the portal’s stated period. If a selected promoter/partner or primary authorized signatory does not attend, or verification remains incomplete, the FAQ says an ARN is not generated and the application is not treated as submitted. Confirm that an ARN exists before assuming the case is in the review queue.
If Aadhaar authentication is not selected
The portal FAQ says the applicant must complete photo capture and document verification at a designated GSK under the “No” route. Additional officer review can also apply when Aadhaar authentication is not completed successfully or is not selected. The FAQ describes mandatory site visits and approval handling in certain cases, including a 30-calendar-day deemed-approval provision if no action is taken. This applies to that specific branch; it is not a promise that every registration will be approved within 30 days.
For any assigned route, use the portal’s current instructions and status rather than treating an authentication problem as proof that the whole application has been rejected. In a biometric case, the immediate issue may be that the verification has not been completed and no ARN exists yet. Once the required step is complete, check for the ARN and then monitor the application as a filed case.
Check for duplicate Aadhaar enrolment IDs
The portal tutorial warns that the Aadhaar enrolment ID must differ for different promoters/partners and authorized signatories. If more than one person is listed, verify the details for each individual rather than reusing an enrolment ID.
Why is my GST registration application pending?
A pending status can reflect an incomplete authentication step, officer scrutiny, or a request for clarification; it does not by itself tell you which applies. Check the application status on the GST Portal and read every message or notice sent to the registered contacts.
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Look for the ARN acknowledgement. If you have only a TRN or saved draft, the application is not filed. This is especially important when biometric verification is required: incomplete attendance or document verification can prevent ARN generation.
Respond completely to a clarification notice
CBIC’s GST Registration Rules provide for electronic clarification notices and applicant replies. If the officer requests clarification, respond within the prescribed period and address each issue with the requested explanation or supporting document. A partial response or a document that does not support the entered details may leave the issue unresolved.
Read the notice carefully and map each requested clarification to the relevant entry or document in the application. For a premises question, for example, check that your reply supports the selected ownership, rental/lease or consent arrangement and the address entered. Submit the response through the channel and within the timeline specified in the notice. No universal response period applies to every notice, so rely on the deadline shown in the case-specific communication.
Do not assume a single approval timetable
The applicable processing path depends on the application and authentication circumstances. The rules provide for officer review and deemed approval when no action is taken within the relevant period, but they do not support one fixed approval-date promise for every applicant. Keep checking the portal for the case-specific status and any deadline that applies to your notice.
For an application that is in order, the rules provide for approval within the applicable review period. Other cases can involve scrutiny, clarification or additional review. A deemed-approval provision is tied to the applicable process and period; it should not be used to predict the result or date for a particular application without checking which branch applies.
Common GST registration errors and how to avoid them
| Error | Why it causes trouble | What to check or do |
|---|---|---|
| PAN and legal name do not match | The portal validates PAN identity data and may reject or flag inconsistent information. | Enter the legal name as recorded against the PAN, including spelling and order. |
| No primary authorized signatory selected | The portal says the application cannot be submitted without one. | Select the person who will act as the primary authorized signatory before submission. |
| Premises proof does not fit the arrangement | An unrelated or unsupported address document can lead to a query or re-upload. | Match the proof to ownership, rent/lease or consent/shared use, and include ownership support where requested. |
| Unreadable, unsupported or oversized upload | The portal may display a legibility warning or block progress where a valid upload is required. | Open the file, check every page, and use the live portal’s accepted format and size limits. |
| Contact OTP missed or TRN expires | OTP validity is limited, and an unsubmitted TRN application is purged after the stated period. | Verify access to both registered contacts and submit within the portal’s TRN window. |
| Aadhaar authentication is left incomplete | In biometric cases, incomplete attendance or verification can mean no ARN is generated. | Complete the assigned OTP or GSK process and then verify that the portal issued an ARN. |
| Same Aadhaar enrolment ID entered for multiple people | The tutorial says IDs must differ across promoters/partners and authorized signatories. | Confirm each person’s enrolment details individually. |
| DSC submission error | The signing step may fail if the DSC being used is not registered or current in the portal. | Consult the GST Portal Known Issues guidance; it suggests registering or updating the DSC. |
| Bank information treated as mandatory | Older checklists can conflict with current portal guidance. | Follow the current tutorial, which says bank details are optional at initial registration. |
When a portal error appears, distinguish a data problem from a signing or authentication problem. Recheck the field or document named in the message first. For a DSC-specific error, the GST Portal Known Issues document suggests registering or updating the DSC being used. If the issue is an incomplete biometric requirement, focus on finishing the GSK step and confirming ARN generation; correcting an unrelated form field will not complete that authentication branch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Important deadlines and effective date
Several different periods apply to different parts of the process. They should not be treated as one universal approval deadline.
| Period | What it applies to |
|---|---|
| 10 minutes | Validity stated by the GST Portal tutorial for the contact OTPs in the registration flow. |
| 15 days | Time before an unsubmitted TRN application and its saved information are purged, according to the portal tutorial. |
| 15 days | Authentication link/verification period described by the GST Portal Aadhaar FAQ for applicable paths. |
| 30 days from becoming liable | For a normal taxpayer, filing within this period affects the registration effective date: the effective date is the liability date; a later filing makes it the grant date, under the portal tutorial and CBIC rules. |
| At least five days before starting business | Portal instruction for a casual taxable person. This category-specific timing does not apply to every applicant. |
The 30-day effective-date rule does not determine when a particular business became liable to register. That question depends on the business’s facts and applicable statutory rules; do not use the filing window as a substitute for deciding liability.
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Keep the periods separate in your planning. The 10-minute contact OTP window is for verifying the contact details in the initial flow. The two 15-day periods concern different things: the TRN draft and the Aadhaar authentication route described by the portal. Neither period is a general approval deadline. For a casual taxable person, the portal’s instruction is to apply at least five days before beginning business; it is not a general timing rule for all new registrations.
Official sources
- GST Portal: Apply for Registration Normal Taxpayer
- GST Portal: FAQs on Aadhaar Authentication
- CBIC: GST Registration Rules
- CBIC: Instruction No. 03/2025-GST
- GST Portal: Known Issues
Practical questions about a new GST registration
These answers cover common process questions, not whether a particular business is legally required to register. The right answer on liability depends on the business’s facts and applicable rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a TRN the same as filing GST REG-01?
No. A TRN lets you return to a saved application, but the application is not filed until the applicable Part B information, authentication and signing steps are completed and the portal generates an ARN. The portal says an unsubmitted TRN application and its saved information are purged after 15 days.
Are bank details required to apply for GST registration?
The current GST Portal tutorial says bank details are optional and non-mandatory at initial registration. It says they can be added through a non-core amendment after the GSTIN is granted. Check current portal instructions rather than relying on older checklists.
What happens if the GST Portal requires biometric Aadhaar verification?
Follow the instructions for the designated GST Suvidha Kendra and ensure the selected promoter/partner or primary authorized signatory completes biometric and document verification within the stated period. If a required person does not attend or verification remains incomplete, the portal FAQ says no ARN is generated and the application is not treated as submitted.
How long does GST registration approval take?
There is no single approval date that applies to every application. The rules provide for officer review, clarification and deemed-approval provisions within applicable periods, while authentication and risk-based review can create different process branches. Track the case through the portal and meet any deadline in a clarification notice.
Does every business need to register based on the same turnover threshold?
No universal threshold should be assumed. The applicable requirement can depend on factors such as state, supply type, compulsory-registration provisions and the applicant’s circumstances. Determine whether and when the business is liable separately from completing the application.
Does the 30-day period mean every applicant has 30 days to register?
No. For a normal taxpayer, filing within 30 days after becoming liable affects the registration effective date: it is the liability date if filed within that period, and the grant date for a later filing. This does not establish when a particular business became liable. The portal separately instructs casual taxable persons to apply at least five days before beginning business.
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The portal tutorial warns that the enrolment ID must differ for different promoters/partners and authorized signatories. Check each person’s details individually.
The Bottom Line
Start with the official GST Portal, prepare evidence that matches the real premises arrangement, and complete the authentication and signing route actually presented. A TRN is only a draft reference; save the ARN to confirm filing, then track the application and respond to any clarification by its stated deadline. Determine registration liability separately, since thresholds, effective dates and category-specific timing depend on the facts and applicable rules.
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