FREE
Government registration fee
3–7 days
GSTIN processing time
gst.gov.in
Official GST portal
₹40L/₹20L
Mandatory turnover limits
GST (Goods and Services Tax) registration gives your business a 15-digit GSTIN — the tax ID you need to issue proper invoices, claim Input Tax Credit, sell on Amazon/Flipkart, and operate across state lines. The process is completely free and fully online. Most businesses receive their GSTIN within 3–7 working days.
When is GST mandatory?
GST Registration Turnover Thresholds
₹40 Lakh
Goods — Normal States
Annual turnover from selling goods in normal category states (most of India).
₹20 Lakh
Services — Normal States
Annual turnover from providing services. Includes freelancers, consultants, agencies.
₹10 Lakh
Special Category States
Northeast India + Uttarakhand, J&K, Himachal. Applies to both goods and services.
ℹ️ Who Must Register Regardless of Turnover
Even below the turnover limit, GST registration is mandatory for: e-commerce sellers on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho etc. · Interstate suppliers of goods or services · Casual taxable persons (occasional sellers at exhibitions/fairs) · Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) payers · Digital service providers (OIDAR). Many freelancers and consultants register voluntarily even below ₹20L to claim Input Tax Credit and improve credibility with corporate clients.
7 steps to GSTIN
How to Register for GST Online in India 2026
-
1
Visit the GST Portal and Start New RegistrationGo to gst.gov.in → click Services → Registration → New Registration. Select taxpayer type (most businesses: "Taxpayer"). Select your State and District. Enter your legal business name (as in PAN), PAN number, email address and mobile number.💡 Your legal name is auto-populated from PAN database — ensure PAN is active and not linked to any existing GSTIN before applying.
-
2
Verify OTP and Get Temporary Reference Number (TRN)Click Proceed. Two separate OTPs are sent — one to email, one to mobile. Enter both OTPs and click Continue. You receive a 15-digit Temporary Reference Number (TRN) via SMS and email. Note it down — you have 15 days to complete Part B before TRN expires.
-
3
Login with TRN and Fill Part B — Business DetailsReturn to gst.gov.in → Services → Registration → New Registration → select Temporary Reference Number (TRN) → enter TRN and captcha → verify OTP → click the edit icon. Part B has 10 sections. Start with Business Details: trade name, constitution (proprietorship/partnership/company/LLP), date of commencement.💡 Trade name can be different from your legal name — it's what customers will see on your GST certificate.
-
4
Fill Promoters, Authorised Signatory and Business AddressFill sections for: Promoters/Partners/Directors (name, PAN, Aadhaar, designation, % ownership); Authorised Signatory (person who will file GST returns — add their Aadhaar); Principal Place of Business (address, ownership/rental, geolocation pinned on map).
-
5
Add Goods/Services and Bank Account DetailsAdd your HSN codes (for goods) or SAC codes (for services) — these classify what you sell for tax purposes. Then add your bank account: account number and IFSC, upload cancelled cheque or bank statement. Bank details are mandatory within 30 days of receiving GSTIN (Nov 2025 GSTN advisory).🚫 From 2026: failure to add bank details within 30 days of GSTIN issuance can lead to suspension of your GST registration. Add it at the time of applying.
-
6
Upload Documents and Complete Aadhaar AuthenticationUpload scanned documents (JPG/PDF, max 1MB each). Then proceed to Aadhaar Authentication — select Yes and complete authentication via OTP sent to the authorised signatory's Aadhaar-linked mobile. Aadhaar authentication is mandatory in 2026 and eliminates the need for physical office verification, speeding up GSTIN issuance to 3–7 days.💡 Completing Aadhaar authentication means GST officer will not visit your premises for verification — application is processed digitally. Always opt Yes.
-
7
Submit Application and Receive GSTINReview all details carefully. Submit using: EVC (OTP-based e-verification) for proprietors and individuals, or DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) for companies and LLPs (mandatory). After submission, receive ARN (Application Reference Number) instantly via SMS and email. Track application status on gst.gov.in using ARN. GSTIN is issued within 3–7 working days of ARN. Download your GST certificate from Services → User Services → View/Download Certificates.
Documents checklist
Documents Required for GST Registration
📄 All Business Types
- PAN card of proprietor/company/LLP
- Aadhaar card of proprietor/directors
- Photograph (passport size, JPG)
- Bank account proof (cancelled cheque or bank statement with IFSC)
- Business address proof (electricity bill, rent agreement)
🏢 Companies and LLPs (Additional)
- Certificate of Incorporation (CoI)
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA) for companies
- LLP Agreement for LLPs
- Board Resolution authorising signatory
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — mandatory for signing
Mandatory registration cases
Who Must Register Regardless of Turnover?
🛒 E-Commerce Sellers
Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Snapdeal sellers must register for GST regardless of sales volume. No turnover exemption.
🗺️ Interstate Suppliers
Any business supplying goods or services across state boundaries must register, even below threshold limits.
💻 Digital Service Providers
Businesses providing online information, database or software services (OIDAR) to Indian customers must register.
🎪 Casual Taxable Persons
Businesses selling at trade fairs, exhibitions or events outside their home state need temporary GST registration.
✅ Benefits of Voluntary GST Registration (Below Threshold)
Even if your turnover is below ₹20L/₹40L, voluntary registration gives you: Input Tax Credit (claim back GST paid on purchases) · Credibility with corporate clients (B2B clients prefer GST-registered vendors) · Sell on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart · Bank loans — GSTN helps establish business income for loans. The downside: you must file GST returns every month or quarter, even for nil filings.
Common questions
GST Registration FAQ 2026
Mandatory registration when annual turnover exceeds: ₹40 lakh for goods in normal category states; ₹20 lakh for services in normal category states; ₹10 lakh in special category states (Northeast India, Uttarakhand, J&K, Himachal). E-commerce sellers on Amazon/Flipkart must register regardless of turnover.
Yes — completely free on the official gst.gov.in portal. No government fees. If you use a CA or third-party service, their professional fees are separate (₹500–5,000 typically). Companies and LLPs need a Digital Signature Certificate which costs ₹1,000–3,000 from authorised DSC providers — this is the only mandatory cost beyond the free registration.
With Aadhaar authentication completed: typically 3–7 working days. Without Aadhaar authentication: requires physical site inspection by GST officer which takes 15–30 days. If your application is queried, respond via the portal within 7 working days with clarification. Always complete Aadhaar authentication (select Yes) to get the faster timeline.
From the GSTN advisory effective November 2025: you must provide valid bank account details within 30 days of GSTIN issuance or before filing your first GSTR-1/IFF, whichever is earlier. Failure to add bank details within 30 days can lead to suspension of your GSTIN. Add bank details during the original application itself to avoid this.
The penalty for not obtaining mandatory GST registration is 10% of tax due or ₹10,000, whichever is higher. If the non-registration is intentional (tax evasion), the penalty can be 100% of tax due. Businesses that cross the threshold must register within 30 days of exceeding it. GST registration enables future refund claims and protects from compliance penalties.