Quick answer
New GST registration in India is done online on the GST portal: you submit Form GST REG-01 with PAN, Aadhaar, address proof and bank details, receive an ARN, and the officer approves it in about 7 working days (about 3 for eligible low-risk applicants). The government fee is nil and your 15-digit GSTIN is issued with a certificate in Form GST REG-06.
Who needs to register for GST?
Registration is compulsory when aggregate turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh for goods suppliers or ₹20 lakh for service providers in most states. Some persons must register regardless of turnover: those making inter-state supplies of goods, selling through e-commerce operators, paying tax under reverse charge, non-resident taxable persons and casual taxable persons. Everyone else can register voluntarily, which is common for startups that want input tax credit and credibility with corporate buyers. If you are unsure, our guide on GST registration threshold limits explains the cases in detail.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Keep PAN, Aadhaar, a photograph, proof of business address, bank proof and constitution documents ready. For a company or LLP, add incorporation documents, a board resolution and the authorised signatory’s DSC. Matching names across all documents is the single most important preparation step. Our checklist in documents required for GST registration lists everything by business type.
Step 2: Fill Part A on the GST portal
Go to the GST portal, choose New Registration and enter your PAN, mobile number and email. You receive OTPs on both and a Temporary Reference Number (TRN). Part A only creates the TRN; the actual application is Part B.
Step 3: Complete Part B and upload documents
Using the TRN, log in and fill business details: trade name, constitution, state, district, principal place of business, nature of business, HSN or SAC codes, bank details and authorised signatory. Upload scanned documents in the allowed size and format. Choose Aadhaar authentication for the promoter or signatory; this often avoids a physical visit.
Step 4: Verify and submit
Verification is by Aadhaar OTP, DSC (companies and LLPs) or EVC. On submission you receive an Application Reference Number (ARN) by SMS and email. Keep it to track status.
Step 5: Officer review, queries and approval
The proper officer examines the application. If something is unclear you receive Form GST REG-03; you must reply with Form GST REG-04 within the stated period. On approval, you receive the GSTIN and registration certificate. Rejections come in Form GST REG-05, and you can re-apply with corrections.
After registration: what to do next
- Start issuing tax invoices with your GSTIN, correct HSN or SAC and tax rate.
- Display the certificate and GSTIN at your place of business.
- File GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B (or CMP-08 and GSTR-4 under composition) from the first applicable month.
- Set up an e-way bill process for goods movement, and e-invoicing if you are above ₹5 crore turnover.
- Add additional places of business to the registration before operating from them.
Common reasons for GST application rejection
Mismatched names, unreadable address proof, missing NOC on rented premises, wrong state, invalid HSN codes and failed Aadhaar authentication cause most rejections. A short pre-check by an experienced consultant saves weeks. If you are looking for support, see our new GST registration service.