GST Registration · Chapter 5
The GST Registration process
In short
GST Registration is done free on gst.gov.in: fill Part A to get a TRN, file Form REG-01 with documents, complete Aadhaar authentication, get an ARN, and receive the GSTIN in Form REG-06.
GST Registration is done online, free of government fees, on the GST portal: you fill Part A to get a Temporary Reference Number (TRN), complete the full application in Form GST REG-01, authenticate with Aadhaar, submit to get an Application Reference Number (ARN), and receive your GSTIN in Form GST REG-06 once the officer approves.
Here is how the application moves, step by step. On the portal, the path is Services → Registration → New Registration. The official step-by-step user guide, with screenshots, is on tutorial.gst.gov.in. For the cost side and an overview in one place, see the blog post GST Registration process and cost in India.
What should you keep ready before you start?
- PAN of the business, and the mobile number and email of the authorised signatory — OTPs go to both.
- Scans of the documents in the right format and size (the portal accepts PDF or JPEG, generally up to 1 MB per file, and smaller for photographs).
- The HSN codes of the main goods, or SAC codes of the main services, you supply.
- A DSC registered on the portal, if the applicant is a company or LLP.
- The Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers of the promoters and signatory, for authentication.
The full list is in the lesson on documents for GST Registration.
What are the steps in the GST Registration process?
Step 1 — Part A: basic details
Enter the legal name as per PAN, PAN, state, email and mobile. After OTP verification, you receive a Temporary Reference Number (TRN). The TRN is valid for 15 days, so Part B should be completed within that time.
Step 2 — Part B: full application (REG-01)
Using the TRN, fill in business details, promoters and partners, authorised signatory, principal place of business, the goods and services you deal in, and bank details. Upload the documents.
Part B also asks for the reason for Registration (for example, crossing the turnover limit, inter-state supply or voluntary), the date of commencement of business, the date on which you became liable to register, and whether you want to opt for the composition scheme or the simplified Rule 14A route. Read each of these carefully — they decide which rules apply to you after Registration.
Step 3 — Aadhaar authentication
If you opt for Aadhaar authentication, the promoters and signatory authenticate through OTP or biometric verification. This usually makes approval faster. Without it, the officer may carry out a physical verification of the premises. Some applicants, selected on risk parameters, are asked to visit a GST Suvidha Kendra for biometric authentication and document verification.
Step 4 — Submission and ARN
Submit with DSC (mandatory for companies and LLPs) or EVC. An Application Reference Number (ARN) is generated to track the application.
Step 5 — Officer review
The officer may approve the application or issue a notice asking for clarification or documents. Reply within the time given, or the application may be rejected.
- REG-03 — the officer's notice seeking clarification or documents.
- REG-04 — your reply, due within seven working days of the notice.
- REG-05 — the order rejecting the application, with reasons, if the reply is missing or unsatisfactory.
Step 6 — Certificate
On approval, the GSTIN and Registration certificate (REG-06) are issued and can be downloaded from the portal.
How long does GST Registration take?
| Situation | Usual time for a decision |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar authenticated, no query raised | Within 7 working days |
| Aadhaar not authenticated, or flagged for physical verification | Up to 30 days |
| Simplified Rule 14A route for small B2B suppliers | Within 3 working days |
A query from the officer pauses this clock until you reply. You can check progress any time under Services → Registration → Track Application Status, using the ARN.
If the officer takes no action within the time allowed — neither approving, nor raising a query, nor rejecting — the rules treat the application as approved. In practice, most applications are decided within the time limit.
What do the application statuses mean?
| Status on the portal | What it means |
|---|---|
| Pending for processing | Submitted and waiting for the officer |
| Pending for clarification | A REG-03 notice has been issued; you need to reply |
| Clarification filed – pending for order | Your REG-04 reply is with the officer |
| Approved | GSTIN issued; the REG-06 certificate can be downloaded |
| Rejected | A REG-05 order has been issued with reasons |
Why do GST Registration applications get queries or rejections?
- Name or address on the documents does not match PAN or the application.
- Address proof is unclear, outdated, or does not show the owner's name.
- Rent agreement or consent letter is missing, unsigned or for a different address.
- The photograph or document upload is blurred or cut off.
- The business could not be found at the declared address during a site visit.
- A reply to REG-03 was not filed within seven working days.
Rules on using a home, rented or shared address are explained in the blog post GST Registration without a commercial address.
What should you do right after getting the GSTIN?
- Download the REG-06 certificate and display it, with the GSTIN, at your place of business.
- Add bank account details if you did not give them in the application — within 30 days or before filing GSTR-1, whichever is earlier.
- Start issuing tax invoices showing your GSTIN.
- Note your return due dates — returns are due from the first period, even with no sales. See GST returns after Registration.
Key takeaways
- TRN → REG-01 → ARN → GSTIN.
- Aadhaar authentication helps approval move faster.
- Answer officer queries within seven working days to avoid rejection.
- There is no government fee for GST Registration.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does GST Registration take?
Where Aadhaar authentication is completed and the officer raises no query, GST Registration is normally granted within seven working days of the application. Where authentication is not done or the application is flagged for physical verification, it can take up to 30 days. Under the simplified Rule 14A option for small B2B suppliers, Registration is granted within three working days.
What is TRN and ARN in GST Registration?
The TRN, or Temporary Reference Number, is generated after you complete Part A of the GST Registration form with PAN, mobile and email; you use it to log in and fill Part B. The ARN, or Application Reference Number, is generated once the full application is submitted, and it is used to track the status of the application.
What is Form REG-03 in GST?
Form GST REG-03 is a notice from the GST officer asking for clarification, more information or documents on a Registration application. The applicant replies in Form GST REG-04 within seven working days. If the reply is not filed in time or is not satisfactory, the officer can reject the application in Form GST REG-05.
What happens if my GST Registration application is rejected?
If the officer rejects the application in Form GST REG-05, the reasons are stated in the order. You can correct the problem, such as a weak address proof or mismatched name, and apply again with a fresh application. If you believe the rejection is wrong, you can also file an appeal before the appellate authority within the time allowed.
How can I check my GST Registration status?
Go to gst.gov.in, open Services, then Registration, then Track Application Status, and enter the ARN. Without logging in, the status shows whether the application is pending for processing, pending for clarification, approved or rejected. Once approved, the Registration certificate in Form REG-06 can be downloaded after logging in with the new GSTIN.
