New Delhi: The GST Council is likely to consider allowing businesses to apply for registration in multiple states through a single application process, alongside uniform document requirements to reduce duplication and inconsistencies across tax jurisdictions.
At its October 7 meeting, the council is expected to discuss a simpler registration form for large businesses, with step-by-step guidance and a specified list of documents to upload, sources said.
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Under the proposed system, information submitted by a business would be carried forward when it seeks registration in another state. Businesses seeking registrations in several states could complete the applications together, while the GST system would identify the appropriate jurisdiction based on the location entered.
The proposal would simplify the application process but would **not introduce a single pan-India GST registration**. Separate state-wise registrations would continue.
The council may also consider guidelines specifying which documents tax officers can seek, their purpose and when the documents submitted should be considered sufficient.
"This would bring about consistency across states for GST registration. An applicant in one state will be asked for the same things as an applicant in another," the source added.
The proposals would extend registration reforms beyond small and low-risk businesses, which already have access to a simplified scheme approved in September 2025 and launched on November 1 that year.
That scheme provides registration within three days for applicants identified as low-risk through data analysis, or those declaring monthly output tax liability of up to Rs 2.5 lakh, inclusive of CGST and SGST/UTGST. It covers 61 percent of the more than 1.68 crore GST registrations. The proposed changes would cover the remaining businesses, sources said.
AMRG Global Managing Partner Rajat Mohan said the common application process would be a significant step towards simplifying registration.
"It is important to clarify that this does not yet introduce a single, pan-India GST registration; separate state-wise registrations will continue to exist. However, the ability to apply for registrations across multiple states together, with the system carrying forward existing details and determining the appropriate jurisdiction, represents a clear move towards a more centralised and seamless registration architecture," Mohan added.
He said progressively expanding the approach could help businesses obtain and manage registrations nationwide with less duplication, delay and officer interaction.
The council is also likely to consider automatic approvals for changes to key registration details, including a company’s name, directors, partners or karta, and the address of an additional place of business.
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GST backend analysis shows these categories account for about 66 percent of amendment applications—roughly 10.5 lakh of the 16 lakh applications received annually.
Under the proposal, only changes to the principal place of business would require approval from the jurisdictional tax officer. Businesses registered within three days through the automatic route would receive automatic approval for that change as well.
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