How to Register for GST in India: Step-by-Step
Registering for GST can feel like a bureaucratic maze the first time, but the process is entirely online and usually completed within 7–10 working days. This walkthrough covers who needs to register, what to prepare, and what happens after you receive your GSTIN.
Do you need to register?
Registration is mandatory if:
- Your aggregate annual turnover from services exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in certain special-category states like Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura).
- Your aggregate annual turnover from goods (in most states) exceeds ₹40 lakh — note that the threshold is lower in some special-category states, so check the current threshold applicable to your own state.
- You supply goods or services across state lines, regardless of turnover.
- You sell through an e-commerce operator (like Amazon or Flipkart).
- You are liable to pay tax under reverse charge.
Even if your turnover is below the threshold, voluntary registration is permitted — and sometimes sensible. For freelancers weighing whether they're at the threshold, see Do Freelancers Need to Charge GST? and What Is GST?.
Documents to keep ready
Gather these before you start
Having all documents scanned and ready before you begin the form saves significant time — the portal has session timeouts and you'll need to upload files mid-flow. Keep these handy:
- PAN card (individual PAN for sole proprietors, company PAN for companies)
- Aadhaar card (for Aadhaar-based authentication)
- Photograph (JPEG, under 100 KB)
- Proof of business address — electricity bill, rent agreement, or property tax receipt (under 1 MB)
- Bank account proof — cancelled cheque or the first page of your passbook
- Authorisation letter (if applying as an authorised signatory for a company or LLP)
Registration on the GST portal
Go to the GST portal
Visit gst.gov.in and click Services → Registration → New Registration.Fill Part A — generate TRN
Enter your PAN, mobile number, and email address. You'll receive OTPs on both mobile and email. Verify them to generate a Temporary Reference Number (TRN). Note this down — you'll need it to continue.Complete Part B using your TRN
Log back in with your TRN and complete the full application (Form GST REG-01). This covers your business details, principal place of business, additional places of business (if any), business activities, and the authorised signatory.Upload documents
Upload the scanned documents listed above in the required fields. Check file-size limits for each upload — over-sized files are a common reason the form stalls.Verify with Aadhaar or DSC
You can verify the application with Aadhaar OTP (sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar) or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). For most individual freelancers and sole proprietors, Aadhaar OTP is the simpler path.Submit and note your ARN
Once submitted, you'll receive an Application Reference Number (ARN) by SMS and email. Use it to track your application status on the portal.Receive GSTIN
If the application is complete and correct, the GST officer approves it (usually within 7 working days). You'll receive your GSTIN and the GST Registration Certificate (Form GST REG-06) on the portal. Download and save it.
If the officer raises a query (Form GST REG-03), you have 7 working days to respond with clarifications or additional documents before they issue a final decision.
After you get your GSTIN
Once you have your GSTIN, a few things need to happen right away:
Update your invoicing system. Your GSTIN must appear on every tax invoice you issue from the registration date. Retrospective invoices prior to registration cannot carry a GSTIN.
Understand your filing obligations. Registered businesses must file GSTR-1 (outward supply details) and GSTR-3B (summary return) regularly — monthly if your turnover exceeds ₹5 crore, or quarterly under QRMP otherwise.
Consider whether the Composition Scheme suits you. If you're a small business with turnover below ₹1.5 crore (₹75 lakh for some states), the Composition Scheme offers simplified filing at a lower fixed rate. See Composition Scheme vs Regular GST for the trade-offs.
Save your registration certificate. The GST Registration Certificate (Form REG-06) should be displayed at your principal place of business and is frequently requested by clients.
In E-BillR, you add your GSTIN once in Settings and it's stamped automatically on every invoice you create — see the settings guide for where to enter it.
Voluntary registration: pros and cons
If you're below the threshold and considering registering voluntarily:
In favour:
- You can collect GST from clients, making you eligible to pass on input credit to registered businesses.
- It signals formality and can help when bidding for corporate contracts.
- You can claim input credit on your own GST-bearing purchases.
Against:
- You'll need to file GST returns regularly, even if they're nil returns.
- It adds compliance overhead — returns, record-keeping, and potential audits.
- Once registered, deregistration requires meeting specific conditions and a formal cancellation process.
For most freelancers just starting out and earning below ₹20 lakh, the compliance overhead of voluntary registration often outweighs the benefits unless clients are specifically asking for GST invoices.
General information only
This is general information, not professional tax advice — check with a qualified CA or tax professional for guidance on whether and when registration is right for your specific situation.
Keep reading
What Is GST? A Plain-English Guide for Indian Small Businesses
GST explained without the jargon — what it is, who needs to pay it, and what it means for your invoices.
GST Invoice Format: What a Compliant Invoice Must Include (2026)
Every field a tax invoice legally needs in 2026 — with a field-by-field checklist you can copy.
CGST, SGST & IGST Explained: Which Goes on Your Invoice?
The difference between CGST, SGST, and IGST — and a simple rule for knowing which to charge on every invoice.