The government will introduce a simplified Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration system from November 1, 2025, offering automatic approval within three working days for most new applicants, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced.
The initiative, part of the GST 2.0 reforms package approved earlier by the GST Council, is aimed at easing compliance and minimising human intervention in the registration process.
Under the new system, automatic registration will be available in two categories — for applicants identified through data-based risk analysis and for those who self-declare that their monthly output tax liability will not exceed ₹2.5 lakh. According to Sitharaman, nearly 96% of new GST applicants are expected to benefit from this streamlined approval process.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new CGST Bhawan in Ghaziabad, the finance minister said the government’s focus was now shifting from policy formulation to on-ground implementation. She urged both central and state GST authorities to ensure smooth execution of reforms, emphasising that the system should function “by design, not by discretion.”
Reiterating the core philosophy of GST 2.0, Sitharaman stressed that the tax administration must balance respect and firmness, treating taxpayers with dignity while maintaining strictness against evasion. “Taxpayers should feel honourably treated as contributors to the nation. If there are a few bad actors, take action as per law — but don’t view every taxpayer with suspicion,” she advised officers of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
As part of the broader GST 2.0 reforms, the government has also rationalised tax slabs, simplified return filing, and automated refund and audit systems. Sitharaman said these measures will make the GST framework more efficient, equitable, and growth-driven.
To enhance taxpayer assistance, she directed that GST Seva Kendras across India be properly staffed and accessible, with dedicated helpdesks to guide applicants through the registration process. She also instructed field units to conduct internal audits of these centres and address taxpayer grievances promptly.
Highlighting the importance of integrity within the tax administration, the finance minister called for the timely completion of disciplinary proceedings against officers. “Swift action reinforces accountability and dispels perceptions of indifference or protectionism,” she said, quoting the motto for administrative conduct:
“Galat kiya toh khair nahi, sahi kiya toh koi bair nahi” — Wrongdoers cannot escape; there’s no enmity with those who do right.
Citing data from the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Sitharaman noted that India’s festive retail sales hit a record ₹6.05 trillion this Diwali — a 25% year-on-year rise — with 87% of consumers choosing Indian-made goods. About 72% of traders credited recent GST rate reductions on consumer goods, home décor, and footwear for the sales boost.
“With consistent reforms, commitment, and teamwork, we can achieve new heights in revenue, compliance, and taxpayer service,” Sitharaman concluded. “Our ultimate goal is to make life easier for the honest taxpayer — and never offer comfort to the dishonest. If we stay on that path, economic growth and national prosperity will naturally follow.”
