For a normal taxpayer, GST registration is an online application on the GST Common Portal using Form GST REG-01. You first verify PAN, mobile number, and email in Part A, then complete Part B with business, people, place-of-business, and supporting-document details. The application may also require OTP authentication or an in-person biometric and document check. Whether you must register depends on your circumstances under the GST law; do not assume one turnover threshold applies to every business.
Check whether GST registration applies to your business
Liability depends on the relevant provisions of the CGST Act, including sections 22 and 24, and can vary with turnover, the state or union territory, the type of supply, and other facts. There is no single yes-or-no rule that can safely be applied to every business from this guide. Check the current law and notifications for your business’s location and transaction pattern, or ask a tax professional if the answer is unclear. The CBIC registration rules identify the relevant statutory provisions but do not provide a complete current threshold matrix: CBIC GST registration rules.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The steps below describe the ordinary online route for a normal taxpayer. Casual taxable persons, non-resident taxable persons, SEZ applicants, and people required to register under special compulsory-registration provisions may face different requirements.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Gather the documents and information before you apply
The portal’s form determines which supporting documents apply to your business constitution and circumstances. Prepare clear, readable files and make sure names and addresses agree across the application and evidence. For the current document prompts and application sections, consult the GST Portal normal-taxpayer registration guide.
#1 Best Overall
Evidence for the principal place of business
| Premises arrangement | Evidence described by the GST Portal |
|---|---|
| Owned | Evidence such as a current property-tax receipt, municipal khata copy, or electricity bill. |
| Rented or leased | A valid rent or lease agreement, together with ownership evidence for the lessor. |
| Used with another person’s consent or shared | A consent letter and ownership evidence for the person giving consent. The portal describes the same approach for shared properties. |
The portal guide lists these as examples and instructs applicants to follow the form’s prompts for the specific premises.
People and business details
Have the details of promoters or partners and the primary authorized signatory ready. The portal guide describes stakeholder photographs and, where applicable, proof of appointment and the authorized signatory’s photograph. The form also requests business details, any authorized representative, principal and additional places of business, goods and services, state-specific information, Aadhaar authentication, and verification.
Submit the REG-01 application
- Open Part A of REG-01 on the GST Common Portal. Declare PAN, mobile number, email address, and state or union territory. The portal checks PAN against the CBDT database and sends OTPs to verify the mobile and email. Successful checks generate a temporary reference number (TRN). The legal procedure is set out in the CBIC GST registration rules.
- Use the TRN to access Part B. Complete the application sections relevant to your business, add the requested details, and attach the supporting documents. Review the live form’s requirements rather than relying on a document list that may not fit your constitution or circumstances.
- Complete the authentication route shown by the portal. The portal’s process includes PAN validation and risk-based selection for OTP-based or biometric authentication. If OTP authentication is assigned, selected promoters or partners and the primary authorized signatory receive an authentication link. If biometric verification is assigned, those selected must attend the designated GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) for the required biometric and document checks. If Aadhaar authentication is declined, the portal says photo capture and document verification at a GSK may be required. See the registration guide and Aadhaar authentication FAQ.
- Sign and submit, then track the application. After the application is received, an electronic acknowledgement in REG-02 is provided under the rules. Keep checking the portal and registered contact channels for status or requests. If required biometric or document verification is not completed within the applicable period, the portal guide says an ARN may not be generated; in that case the application may not yet have reached officer review.
What happens after submission
Application is in order
The CBIC rules say the proper officer should approve an application within three working days from submission when the information and documents are in order. This is a rule-based period, not a guarantee of the date any individual application will be completed. On approval, the registration certificate in REG-06, showing the principal and additional business places, is made available on the Common Portal with the GSTIN. See the CBIC registration rules.
The officer requests clarification
If the officer needs clarification, information, or documents, the notice is issued in REG-03. Respond through REG-04 within seven working days of receiving the notice. The officer may reject the application through REG-05 if no response is received or the response is unsatisfactory; a satisfactory response may be followed by approval within seven working days of receipt, under the rule. Address each point in the notice and provide the requested evidence rather than sending an incomplete reply.
Rank #3
Published service timelines
The CBIC Citizen Charter lists a 7-day service timeline for cases with authenticated Aadhaar and a 30-day timeline where authentication is not opted for, fails, or premises are selected for physical verification. These are published service standards, not measured average processing times or a promise that every application will finish within that period. Clarification requests and verification steps can affect the path and timing. See the CBIC Citizen Charter.
Why a GST registration application may be delayed
- Incomplete or deficient information or evidence: the officer may issue REG-03 to request clarification or documents.
- A late or incomplete response: REG-04 is due within seven working days of receipt of REG-03; an absent or unsatisfactory reply can result in rejection.
- Authentication not completed: authentication links can expire, and required OTP, biometric, or document checks must be completed.
- GSK verification is missed or incomplete: when the portal requires it, failure to complete the biometric or document steps can prevent ARN generation and delay the point at which officer review begins.
- Physical verification or other assigned checks: the Citizen Charter’s service timeline distinguishes cases where premises are selected for physical verification.
To reduce avoidable back-and-forth, compare the application’s names and addresses with the evidence, upload legible documents, monitor the registered email and mobile channels, attend any assigned GSK appointment, and answer every notice point before its deadline. These actions follow the official workflow; they are not a claim that any one issue is the most common cause of delay.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Special cases and getting help
The normal-taxpayer instructions are not a complete guide for casual or non-resident taxable persons, SEZ applicants, or special compulsory-registration cases. Check the form and rules applicable to the applicant category before starting. If eligibility is complicated or a clarification notice is difficult to answer, a GST practitioner or tax professional may help; the portal guide includes an authorized-representative section. A practitioner is optional, not a requirement of the ordinary online registration process.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
