The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has introduced a new auto-population facility to simplify the process of obtaining an additional GST registration for businesses already holding an active Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) under the same Permanent Account Number (PAN).
The facility, made available on the GST Portal from September 1, 2026, allows eligible applicants to import registration particulars from an existing active GSTIN while completing Part-B of FORM GST REG-01. GSTN announced the new functionality on September 10, 2026.
Buy Now: E-Handbook: Draft Replies to GST Notices On 40+ Issues
The measure is expected to benefit businesses expanding their operations into another State or seeking an additional registration in the same State, subject to the applicable provisions of GST law. It eliminates the need to repeatedly enter information that is already available in the GST system.
Facility Available for Registrations Under Same PAN
An applicant who already has an active GSTIN under a particular PAN may use the auto-population facility while applying for another GST registration linked to the same PAN.
The option is available whether the proposed registration is in the same State or a different State. However, the applicant must independently satisfy the statutory conditions governing the grant of a separate or additional registration.
The facility does not automatically grant GST registration. It only assists applicants in completing the registration form by importing eligible details from an existing GSTIN. The application will continue to be processed and verified in accordance with the CGST Act, the CGST Rules and the risk parameters followed by the tax administration.
How the New Facility Works
While completing Part-B of FORM GST REG-01, an eligible applicant must select the option marked “Yes – Auto-Populate Details.”
Once this option is selected, the GST system identifies the active registration linked to the same PAN and initiates the verification process. Consent must then be provided by the Primary Authorised Signatory of the existing GSTIN through a One-Time Password.
After successful OTP verification, the eligible registration details stored in the GST system are automatically inserted into the new registration application.
The applicant can thereafter examine the pre-filled particulars, edit them wherever necessary and proceed by selecting “Save & Continue.” The GST Portal has therefore retained the applicant’s ability to correct or update the information before submitting the application.
The broad process is as follows:
- The applicant must already have an active GSTIN under the same PAN.
- While completing Part-B of FORM GST REG-01, the applicant must select “Yes – Auto-Populate Details.”
- The Primary Authorised Signatory of the existing GSTIN must provide consent through OTP verification.
- Eligible details from the existing registration will be auto-populated in the new application.
- The applicant must review the information, make any necessary changes and continue with the registration process.
Promoters and Partners to Receive Alerts
GSTN has also incorporated an alert mechanism into the new facility. After successful verification, the relevant promoters or partners will be informed through SMS and email.
This communication mechanism is intended to ensure that persons connected with the business are made aware that information from an existing GST registration has been used for another registration application.
The OTP consent requirement and subsequent alerts are also expected to reduce the possibility of unauthorised use of business particulars available against an existing GSTIN.
Auto-Populated Details Must Be Carefully Reviewed
Although the facility reduces manual data entry, applicants must carefully verify every auto-populated field before submitting FORM GST REG-01.
Details relating to the principal place of business, additional places of business, jurisdiction, nature of possession of premises, bank particulars, authorised signatories and business activities may differ between establishments. Documents supporting the new place of business may also have to be separately uploaded.
Similarly, details imported from an existing registration may require modification where the constitution, promoters, partners, authorised signatories or business activities have changed.
The responsibility for ensuring that the information submitted in the registration application is complete and accurate continues to rest with the applicant.
Expected to Help Expanding Businesses
Under GST, a business operating across multiple States ordinarily requires a separate registration in every State or Union Territory from which it makes taxable supplies, subject to the statutory provisions governing registration.
Businesses may also obtain separate registrations for multiple places of business within a State or Union Territory, where permitted under GST law.
Until now, applicants seeking such additional registrations were generally required to re-enter several particulars already furnished in connection with an existing GSTIN. This could result in duplication of work, inconsistent entries and avoidable errors.
The new facility uses information already available in the GST database to support the preparation of the subsequent application. It is therefore expected to be particularly useful for businesses opening new branches, warehouses, offices, manufacturing units or other establishments.
Less Data Entry and Faster Registration Process
The principal benefit of the new functionality is the reduction of repetitive data entry. GSTN has described the objective of the facility as providing “less data entry, less time and more convenience.”
Auto-population may also improve consistency across registrations linked to the same PAN. Details common to different registrations can be imported directly from the GST system instead of being typed afresh in every application.
At the same time, the OTP-based consent requirement introduces a verification layer before the existing registration data can be used. Applicants remain free to review and edit the imported information before proceeding.
The update forms part of GSTN’s continuing effort to develop a more taxpayer-centric, secure and digitally enabled registration system. Eligible taxpayers can access the facility through the GST Portal while filing FORM GST REG-01 for an additional registration under the same PAN.
