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GSTN Advisory-Biometric verification for registrations in Kerala, Nagaland and Telangana!

In a significant move to enhance the integrity of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration process, the GST Network (GSTN) has introduced biometric verification for new registrations in many regions. On 05^th October 2024, GSTN issued an advisory regarding Biometric verification for registrations in Kerala, Nagaland, and Telangana.

Let's understand the details!

Advisory dated 05^th October 2024

Advisory for Biometric-Based Aadhaar Authentication and Document Verification for GST Registration Applicants of Kerala, Nagaland and Telangana

Oct 5th, 2024

Dear Taxpayers,

This is to inform taxpayers about recent developments concerning the application process for GST registration. It is advised to keep the following key points in mind during the registration process.

1. Rule 8 of the CGST Rules, 2017 has been amended to provide that an applicant can be identified on the common portal, based on data analysis and risk parameters for Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication and taking a photograph of the applicant along with the verification of the original copy of the documents uploaded with the application.

2. The above-said functionality has been developed by GSTN. It has been rolled out in Kerala, Nagaland, and Telangana on 5th October 2024.

3. The said functionality also provides for the document verification and appointment booking process. After the submission of the application in Form GST REG-01, the applicant will receive either of the following links in the e-mail,

(a) A Link for OTP-based Aadhaar Authentication OR

(b) A link for booking an appointment with a message to visit a GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) along with the details of the GSK and jurisdiction, for Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication and document verification (the intimation e-mail)

4. If the applicant receives the link for OTP-based Aadhaar Authentication as mentioned in point 3(a), she/he can proceed with the application as per the existing process.

5. However, if the applicant receives the link as mentioned in point 3(b), she/he will be required to book the appointment to visit the designated GSK, using the link provided in the e-mail.

6. The feature of booking an appointment to visit a designated GSK is now available for the applicants of Kerala, Nagaland, and Telangana.

7. After booking the appointment, the applicant gets the confirmation of appointment through e-mail (the appointment confirmation e-mail), and they will be able to visit the designated GSK as per the chosen schedule.

8. At the time of the visit of GSK, the applicant is required to carry the following details/documents

(a) A copy (hard/soft) of the appointment confirmation e-mail

(b) The details of jurisdiction as mentioned in the intimation e-mail

(d) The original documents that were uploaded with the application, as communicated by the intimation e-mail.

9. The biometric authentication and document verification will be done at the GSK, for all the required individuals as per the GST application Form REG-01.

10. The applicant is required to choose an appointment for the biometric verification during the maximum permissible period for the application as indicated in the intimation e-mail. In such cases, ARNs will be generated once the Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication process and document verification are completed.

11. The operation days and hours of GSKs will be as per the guidelines provided by the administration in your respective State.

Thanking You,
Team GSTN

To understand more about Biometric verification for registrations of other states, read our blog GSTN Advisory-Biometric verification for registrations in Odisha!

Conclusion

To sum up, the recent changes to Rule 8 of the CGST Rules, 2017 implement a more efficient and secure process for GST registration applicants via Biometric-based Aadhaar authentication. This amendment ensures precise identification of applicants and thorough verification of their documents, thereby strengthening the integrity of the registration process.

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