Section 25. Procedure for registration. 

(1) Every person who is liable to be registered under section 22 or section 24 shall apply for registration in every such State or Union territory in which he is so liable within thirty days from the date on which he becomes liable to registration, in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed:

Provided that a casual taxable person or a non-resident taxable person shall apply for registration at least five days prior to the commencement of business:

Provided further that a person having a unit, as defined in the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005), in a Special Economic Zone or being a Special Economic Zone developer shall have to apply for a separate registration, as distinct from his place of business located outside the Special Economic Zone in the same State or Union territory.]

Explanation. -Every person who makes a supply from the territorial waters of India shall obtain registration in the coastal State or Union territory where the nearest point of the appropriate baseline is located.

(2) A person seeking registration under this Act shall be granted a single registration in a State or Union territory:

[Provided that a person having multiple places of business in a State or Union territory may be granted a separate registration for each such place of business, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.]

(3) A person, though not liable to be registered under section 22 or section 24 may get himself registered voluntarily, and all provisions of this Act, as are applicable to a registered person, shall apply to such person.

(4) A person who has obtained or is required to obtain more than one registration, whether in one State or Union territory or more than one State or Union territory shall, in respect of each such registration, be treated as distinct persons for the purposes of this Act.

(5) Where a person who has obtained or is required to obtain registration in a State or Union territory in respect of an establishment, has an establishment in another State or Union territory, then such establishments shall be treated as establishments of distinct persons for the purposes of this Act.

(6) Every person shall have a Permanent Account Number issued under the Income- tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) in order to be eligible for grant of registration:

Provided that a person required to deduct tax under section 51 may have, in lieu of a Permanent Account Number, a Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number issued under the said Act in order to be eligible for grant of registration.

Every registered person shall undergo authentication, or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number, in such form and manner and within such time as may be prescribed:

Provided that if an Aadhaar number is not assigned to the registered person, such person shall be offered alternate and viable means of identification in such manner as Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, prescribe:

Provided further that in case of failure to undergo authentication or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or furnish alternate and viable means of identification, registration allotted to such person shall be deemed to be invalid and the other provisions of this Act shall apply as if such person does not have a registration.

(6B) On and from the date of notification, every individual shall, in order to be eligible for grant of registration, undergo authentication, or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number, in such manner as the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, specify in the said notification:

Provided that if an Aadhaar number is not assigned to an individual, such individual shall be offered alternate and viable means of identification in such manner as the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, specify in the said notification.

(6C) On and from the date of notification, every person, other than an individual, shall, in order to be eligible for grant of registration, undergo authentication, or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number of the Karta, Managing Director, whole time Director, such number of partners, Members of Managing Committee of Association, Board of Trustees, authorised representative, authorised signatory and such other class of persons, in such manner, as the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, specify in the said notification:

Provided that where such person or class of persons have not been assigned the Aadhaar Number, such person or class of persons shall be offered alternate and viable means of identification in such manner as the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, specify in the said notification.

(6D) The provisions of sub-section (6A) or sub-section (6B) or sub-section (6C) shall not apply to such person or class of persons or any State or Union territory or part thereof, as the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, specify by notification.

Explanation. -For the purposes of this section, the expression – “Aadhaar number” – shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (a) of section 2 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (18 of 2016).]

(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (6), a non-resident taxable person may be granted registration under sub-section (1) on the basis of such other documents as may be prescribed.

(8) where a person who is liable to be registered under this Act fails to obtain registration, the proper officer may, without prejudice to any action which may be taken under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force, proceed to register such person in such manner as may be prescribed.

(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1),

(a) any specialised agency of the United Nations Organisation or any Multilateral Financial Institution and Organisation notified under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947 (46 of 1947), Consulate or Embassy of foreign countries; and

(b) any other person or class of persons, as may be notified by the Commissioner, shall be granted a Unique Identity Number in such manner and for such purposes, including refund of taxes on the notified supplies of goods or services or both received by them, as may be prescribed.

(10) The registration or the Unique Identity Number shall be granted or rejected after due verification in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed.

(11) A certificate of registration shall be issued in such form and with effect from such date as may be prescribed.

(12) A registration or a Unique Identity Number shall be deemed to have been granted after the expiry of the period prescribed under sub-section (10), if no deficiency has been communicated to the applicant within that period.

* Enforced w.e.f. 22nd June, 2017.

1. Inserted by s. 13 of The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) – Brought into force w.e.f. 01st February, 2019.
2. Substituted for “Provided that a person having multiple business verticals in a State or Union territory may be granted a separate registration for each business vertical, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. ” By s. 13 of The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) – Brought into force w.e.f. 01st February, 2019.
3. Inserted by s. 95 of The Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019 (No. 23 of 2019) – Brought into force w.e.f. 01st January, 2020 vide Notification No. 1/2020-C.T. dated 1^st January, 2020.

 

Rule 8. Application for registration.

(1) Every person, other than a non-resident taxable person, a person required to deduct tax at source under section 51, a person required to collect tax at source under section 52 and a person supplying online information and database access or retrieval services from a place outside India to a non-taxable online recipient referred to in section 14 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (13 of 2017) who is liable to be registered under sub-section (1) of section 25 and every person seeking registration under sub-section (3) of section 25 (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as “the applicant”) shall, before applying for registration, declare his Permanent Account Number, ⁵[****] State or Union territory in Part A of FORM GST REG-01 on the common portal, either directly or through a Facilitation Centre notified by the Commissioner:

[Provided] that every person being an Input Service Distributor shall make a separate application for registration as such Input Service Distributor.

(2) The Permanent Account Number shall be validated online by the common portal from the database maintained by the Central Board of Direct Taxes [and shall also be verified through separate one-time passwords sent to the mobile number and e-mail address linked to the Permanent Account Number].

(3) On successful verification of the Permanent Account Number, mobile number and email address, a temporary reference number shall be generated and communicated to the applicant on the said mobile number and e-mail address.

(4) Using the reference number generated under sub-rule (3), the applicant shall electronically submit an application in Part B of FORM GST REG-01, duly signed or verified through electronic verification code, along with the documents specified in the said Form at the common portal, either directly or through a Facilitation Centre notified by the Commissioner.

(4A) Every application made under sub-rule (4) by a person, other than a person notified under sub-section (6D) of section 25, who has opted for authentication of Aadhaar number and is identified on the common portal, based on data analysis and risk parameters, shall be followed by biometric-based Aadhaar authentication and taking photograph of the applicant where the applicant is an individual or of such individuals in relation to the applicant as notified under sub-section (6C) of section 25 where the applicant is not an individual, along with the verification of the original copy of the documents uploaded with the application in FORM GST REG-01 at one of the Facilitation Centres notified by the Commissioner for the purpose of this sub-rule and the application shall be deemed to be complete only after completion of the process laid down under this sub-rule.]]

(4B) The Central Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification specify the States or Union territories wherein the provisions of sub-rule (4A) shall not apply.]

(5) On receipt of an application under sub-rule (4) [or sub-rule (4A)], an acknowledgement shall be issued electronically to the applicant in FORM GST REG-02 .

(6) A person applying for registration as a casual taxable person shall be given a temporary reference number by the common portal for making advance deposit of tax in accordance with the provisions of section 27 and the acknowledgement under sub-rule (5) shall be issued electronically only after the said deposit.

1. Omitted (w.e.f. 01.02.2019) vide Notification No. 03/2019-CTdated 29.01.2019 for “Provided that a person having a unit(s) in a Special Economic Zone or being a Special Economic Zone developer shall make a separate application for registration as a business vertical distinct from his other units located outside the Special Economic Zone:”

      2. Substituted (w.e.f.01.02.2019) vide Notification No. 03/2019-CT dated 29.01.2019 for “Provided              further”.

3. Substituted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022  for “Every application made under rule (4) shall be followed by- (a) biometric-based Aadhaar authentication and taking photograph, unless exempted under sub-section (6D) of section 25, if he has opted for authentication of Aadhaar number; or (b) taking biometric information, photograph and verification of such other KYC documents, as notified, unless the applicant is exempted under sub-section (6D) of section 25, if he has opted not to get Aadhaar authentication done, of the applicant where the applicant is an individual or of such individuals in relation to the applicant as notified under sub-section (6C) of section 25 where the applicant is not an individual, along with the verification of the original copy of the documents uploaded with the application in FORM GST REG-01at one of the Facilitation Centres notified by the Commissioner for the purpose of this sub-rule and the application shall be deemed to be complete only after completion of the process laid down under this sub-rule.”
4. Specified vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022 that “the provisions of sub-rule (4A) of rule 8 of the said rules shall not apply in all the States and Union territories except the State of Gujarat.”
5. Omitted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022  for “mobile number, e-mail address,”.
6. Inserted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022.
7. Omitted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022  for “The mobile number declared under sub-rule (1) shall be verified through a onetime password sent to the said mobile number; and”.
8. Omitted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022  for “The e-mail address declared under sub-rule (1) shall be verified through a separate one-time password sent to the said e-mail address.”.
9. Inserted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022.
10. Inserted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022.

Rule 9. Verification of the application and approval. 

(1) The application shall be forwarded to the proper officer who shall examine the application and the accompanying documents and if the same are found to be in order, approve the grant of registration to the applicant within a period of [seven] working days from the date of submission of the application:

[Provided that where –

(a) a person, other than a person notified under sub-section (6D) of section 25, fails to undergo authentication of Aadhaar number as specified in sub-rule (4A) of rule 8 or does not opt for authentication of Aadhaar number; or

[(aa) a person, who has undergone authentication of Aadhaar number as specified in sub-rule (4A) of rule 8, is identified on the common portal, based on data analysis and risk parameters, for carrying out physical verification of places of business; or]

(b) the proper officer, with the approval of an officer authorised by the Commissioner not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner, deems it fit to carry out physical verification of places of business,

the registration shall be granted within thirty days of submission of application, after physical verification of the place of business in the presence of the said person, in the manner provided under rule 25 and verification of such documents as the proper officer may deem fit; ]

(2) Where the application submitted under rule 8 is found to be deficient, either in terms of any information or any document required to be furnished under the said rule, or where the proper officer requires any clarification with regard to any information provided in the application or documents furnished therewith, he may issue a notice to the applicant electronically in FORM GST REG-03 within a period of [seven] working days from the date of submission of the application and the applicant shall furnish such clarification, information or documents electronically, in FORM GST REG-04, within a period of seven working days from the date of the receipt of such notice.

Provided that where –

(a) a person, other than a person notified under sub-section (6D) of section 25, fails to undergo authentication of Aadhaar number as specified in sub-rule (4A) of rule 8 or does not opt for authentication of Aadhaar number; or

[(aa)a person, who has undergone authentication of Aadhaar number as specified in sub-rule (4A) of rule 8, is identified on the common portal, based on data analysis and risk parameters, for carrying out physical verification of places of business; or]

(b) the proper officer, with the approval of an officer authorised by the Commissioner not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner, deems it fit to carry out physical verification of places of business,

the notice in FORM GST REG-03 may be issued not later than thirty days from the date of submission of the application.]

Explanation. – For the purposes of this sub-rule, the expression “clarification” includes modification or correction of particulars declared in the application for registration, other than Permanent Account Number, State, mobile number and e-mail address declared in Part A of FORM GST REG-01 .

(3) Where the proper officer is satisfied with the clarification, information or documents furnished by the applicant, he may approve the grant of registration to the applicant within a period of seven working days from the date of the receipt of such clarification or information or documents.

(4) Where no reply is furnished by the applicant in response to the notice issued under sub-rule (2) or where the proper officer is not satisfied with the clarification, information or documents furnished, he ⁵[may], for reasons to be recorded in writing, reject such application and inform the applicant electronically in FORM GST REG-05.

[(5) If the proper officer fails to take any action, –

(a) within a period of seven working days from the date of submission of the application in cases where the person is not covered under proviso to sub-rule (1); or

(b) within a period of thirty days from the date of submission of the application in cases where a person is covered under proviso to sub-rule (1); or

(c) within a period of seven working days from the date of the receipt of the clarification, information or documents furnished by the applicant under sub-rule (2), the application for grant of registration shall be deemed to have been approved.]

**Kindly also refer to Notification No. 14/2021 – CT dated 1^st May, 2021(w.e.f. 15.04.2021) and Notification No. 24/2021 – CT dated 1^st Jun, 2021(w.e.f. 30.05.2021)

1. Substituted vide Notification No.94/2020- CT dated. 22.12.2020 for “three”
2. Substituted vide Notification No.94/2020- CT dated. 22.12.2020 for “Provided that where a person, other than a person notified under sub-section (6D) of section 25, fails to under go authentication of Aadhaar number as specified in sub-rule (4A) of rule 8 or does not opt for authentication of Aadhaar number, the registration shall be granted only after physical verification of the place of business in the presence of the said person, in the manner provided under rule 25:

Provided further that the proper officer may, for reasons to be recorded in writing and with the approval of an officer not below the rank of Joint Commissioner, in lieu of the physical verification of the place of business, carry out the verification of such documents as he may deem fit.”

3. Substituted vide Notification No.94/2020 – CTdated. 22.12.2020 for “three”.
4. Substituted vide Notification No.94/2020- CT dated. 22.12.2020 for “Provided that where a person, other than a person notified under sub-section (6D) of section 25,fails to undergo authentication of Aadhaar number as specified in sub-rule (4A)of rule 8 or does not opt for authentication of Aadhaar number, the notice in FORM GST REG-03 may be issued not later than twenty-one days from the date of submission of the application.”

Prior to its substitution, the proviso was inserted by (w.e.f. 21.08.2020) vide Notification No. 62/2020 – CT dated.20.08.2020).

5. Substituted (w.e.f. 21.08.2020) vide Notification No.62/2020- CT dated. 20.08.2020 for “shall”.
6. Substituted vide Notification No.94/2020- CT dated. 22.12.2020 for “(5) If the proper officer fails to take any action, –

(a) within a period of three working days from the date of submission of the application in cases where a person successfully undergoes authentication of Aadhaar number or is notified under subsection (6D) of section 25; or

(b) within the time period prescribed under the proviso to sub-rule (2), in cases where a person, other than a person notified under sub-section (6D) of section 25, fails to undergo authentication of Aadhaar number as specified in sub-rule (4A) of rule 8; or

(c) within a period of twenty-one days from the date of submission of the application in cases where a person does not opt for authentication of Aadhaar number; or

(d) within a period of seven working days from the date of the receipt of the clarification, information or documents furnished by the applicant under sub-rule (2),

the application for grant of registration shall be deemed to have been approved.”

7. Inserted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022.
8. Inserted vide Notification No. 26/2022-CTdated 26.12.2022.

 

Rule 10. Issue of registration certificate. 

(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (12) of section 25, where the application for grant of registration has been approved under rule 9, a certificate of registration in FORM GST REG-06 showing the principal place of business and additional place or places of business shall be made available to the applicant on the common portal and a Goods and Services Tax Identification Number shall be assigned subject to the following characters, namely: –

(a) two characters for the State code;

(b) ten characters for the Permanent Account Number or the Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number;

(c) two characters for the entity code; and

(d) one checksum character.

(2) The registration shall be effective from the date on which the person becomes liable to registration where the application for registration has been submitted within a period of thirty days from such date.

(3) Where an application for registration has been submitted by the applicant after the expiry of thirty days from the date of his becoming liable to registration, the effective date of registration shall be the date of the grant of registration under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (3) or sub-rule (5) of rule 9.

(4) Every certificate of registration shall be [duly signed or verified through electronic verification code] by the proper officer under the Act.

(5) Where the registration has been granted under sub-rule (5) of rule 9, the applicant shall be communicated the registration number, and the certificate of registration under sub-rule (1), duly signed or verified through electronic verification code, shall be made available to him on the common portal, within a period of three days after the expiry of the period specified in sub-rule (5) of rule 9.

1. Substituted (w.e.f.22.06.2017) vide Notification No. 7/2017-CT dated.27.06.2017 for the words “digitally signed”

Rule 10A. Furnishing of Bank Account Details. 

After a certificate of registration in FORM GST REG-06 has been made available on the common portal and a Goods and Services Tax Identification Number has been assigned, the registered person, except those who have been granted registration under rule 12 or, as the case may be rule 16, shall as soon as may be, but not later than forty five days from the date of grant of registration or the date on which the return required under section 39 is due to be furnished, whichever is earlier, furnish information with respect to details of bank account, or any other information, as may be required on the common portal in order to comply with any other provision.]

1. Inserted vide Notification No. 31/2019- CT dated 28.06.2019.