October 23, 2025 · 11 mins read
Santosh Kumar
GSTIN is the GST identification number. A GSTIN is a 15-digit PAN-based unique identification number allotted to every registered person under GST. As a GST-registered dealer, you might want to do a GST verification before entering it into your GST Returns. You can use the GST number check tool to do GST number (GSTIN) verification.
There can be multiple GSTINs for a single person with a PAN, being assessed under the Income Tax Act. A GSTIN is obtained for every state or Union Territory from which such a person operates. It becomes compulsory to obtain a GSTIN when the person crosses the threshold limit for GST registration by registering themselves under GST.
Unlike the previous indirect tax regime, where multiple registration numbers were present for different laws such as Excise, Service Tax and VAT, GSTIN is a single registration number under GST.
A GSTIN or GST number is public information. GST search by name is an important task that every business dealing with GST-registered taxpayers must carry out to ensure the authenticity of the vendor and the GSTIN or GST number being used in the invoice.
You can partly verify the GSTIN or GST number at first glance by checking if the vendor's PAN number matches the digits between 3 and 10 in the GSTIN.
It is also necessary to carry out a thorough check of the GSTIN authenticity to avoid generating incorrect invoices and e-invoices, to claim a genuine input tax credit, and to pass on the tax credits to rightful buyers, to mention a few.
GST Identification Number Format
Before you proceed to undertake a GST number check, check if the GSTIN is in the format below. If a GSTIN is not in this format, then it is not a valid GST number.
GSTIN structure comprises
First 2 numbers → State code of the registered person
Next 10 characters → PAN of the registered person
Next number→ Entity number of the same PAN
Next character → Alphabet Z by default
Last number → Check code, which may be an alpha or a digit, used for the detection of errors.
The GST Search Tool and GSTIN Validator enable businesses to verify any GSTIN with a single-click GSTIN search. Most importantly, the tool helps verify GSTIN authenticity and spot fake GSTINs. This feature can be used by anyone free of cost, provided they have the requisite GSTIN on hand. You must validate the GST number to avoid doing business with any fake GSTINs in the market. Our GST number search tool comes in handy during such times. Hence, you and your team can carry on business without any disruption, delays or vendor follow-up.
(a) How to check the validity of your GSTIN on the GST Portal: A Step-by-Step Guide When you apply for GST registration, it takes seven working days to receive your provisional GSTIN and 10 days to receive your final GSTIN along with your GST registration certificate. At the moment of submission of the GST registration application, the status can be viewed on the GST portal.
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The methods below might be used if you want to verify the status or legality of an existing GST registration.
Step 1: Visit the GST Portal
Visit the GST website. Also, you can access gst.gov.in and choose Services -> User Services -> Search Taxpayer.
Check your GST registration status.
Step 2: Provide the GSTIN number.
Fill out the CAPTCHA and enter the supplier’s or customer’s GSTIN number in the space provided.
Step 3: Status of your GST registration application
The portal shows the GST registration status and the registration status when you click search, as shown below:
(b) How to install and use the app to check the authenticity of the GSTIN
We can check the authenticity of our GSTIN by downloading the “GSTIN Checker: Verify GST number” app from the Google Play Store.
(c) Description of independent websites that provide services for GSTIN verification
By Razorpay
You may use the GST search by Razorpay to view other business facts, including the legal name of the firm, status, date of registration, business type, and many more. You can also use GST Search to check the validity of any GST number (GSTIN) online for free.
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Head to the GST portal: The official GST website is a GST portal located at https://www.gst.gov.in/. This system's core operation is to act as a filing, receiving, and status-checking hub for all GST matters.
Locate the 'Services' section: When you log in to the GST portal, go to the "Services" section. The central part of the application is the functionality that you have as a taxpayer, and therefore, step one that you need to know involves checking the application status.
Track application status: You can find the option among the "Services", "Track Application Status" or something like that. That particular feature allows you to follow the advancement of the GST registration application.
Enter your ARN: Your application for GST registration was granted; thus, you were provided a unique identifier, which is called Application Reference Number (ARN). This is the essential number for monitoring the circumstances. Be prepared and have your personal identification number ready to use when the online portal asks for it.
View the status: Having entered your ARN and passed any related hits (like the Captcha checking), the portal will show you the current status of your application. It might show "Proceeding," "Accepted," or "Rejected", or record the need for further information. The details will notify you if your application has been approved or if further action is required in the registration process.
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The GST Regime aims to make the tax laws in India more efficient to benefit both consumers and business entities; however, some entities involve themselves in foul play and fraudulent activities. There are as many as 21 offences that the GST Act recognises and punishes. Some of these include:
1: Fake/wrong invoices
2: Fraud while or after registration or during the conduct of business
3: Tax evasion
4: Supply/transport of goods without proper GSTIN documentation
5: Non-registration under GST when required by the law
6: Those who commit fraudulent activities intentionally shall be liable to pay a 100% penalty, i.e. an amount equivalent to the amount of fraud, subject to a minimum of Rs. 10,000/-. Where there is no relevant intent, then the penalty shall be 10%, subject to a minimum of Rs. 10,000/-.
7: In case of serious offences of fraud by misuse of GSTIN, in such a manner that the amount of tax involved is up to Rs. 50 lakhs, then the offender has to serve a jail term of 1 year plus a penalty. When the amount ranges between Rs. 50 lakhs to 100 lakhs, then jail term shall be three years plus a penalty, while in cases where the amount exceeds Rs. 1 Crore, then jail term shall be up to 5 years plus a penalty.
Time and again, there have been reports of the GST-Intelligence unit busting rackets of misuse of the GSTIN to make fake bills and claim an input tax credit. Therefore, whenever you are dealing with an entity registered under the GST regime, you must verify its details online to avoid fraud.
The verification of GST status is an integral part of maintaining continuity in business, as well as following the laws specified by the tax regulations in India. For businessmen who have already submitted GST registration applications, keeping track by using ARN ensures that they will always be informed about their registration status updates, hence facilitating the appropriate expectation management. This transparency, in turn, allows for effective analysis of timeliness, if necessary.
On the one hand, verifying the GSTIN of a business you deal with safeguards you from fraud; on the other hand, it is the source of national data that allows the government to maintain control over the economy and make informed decisions regarding tax reimbursements, economic slump, and average economic growth rate. An active, validated GSTIN provides a clear indication of the business's legitimacy and authorisation to collect GST. Also, it ensures that you have less chance to unwittingly deal with unregulated entities, which may also lead to other issues such as tax problems.
By comprehending how to check GST status with the help of ARN and GSTIN, you not only empower yourself to be a skilful GST navigating individual but also avoid unnecessary hassle. This awareness guarantees the making of informed decisions and the improvement of the sustainable business situation.
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The Goods and Services Tax Identification Number GSTIN is a 15-digit code allocated to every taxpayer in India who is registered under GST. This code has an important part in the process of business identification as well as tax administration transparency. Furthermore, this identifier is essential for those businesses that supply goods and services all over different states or exceed the minimum turnover limit set by the GST legislation.
It is very important to check if a business's GSTIN is real or not during its registration. When you validate a GST number, you are keeping yourself safe from fraudsters or any other such unregistered businesses. In this way, it aids in avoiding tax evasion by ensuring that all businesses comply with laws related to taxes, and hence they will be able to claim their rightful input tax credit without any legal problems at all.
By registering under the GST regime and obtaining a valid GSTIN, an individual goods or services provider can become a legally recognised supplier. Moreover, with a valid GSTIN, any business entity is legally authorised to collect tax from its customers and/or purchasers and file for tax returns and other benefits under the GST law.
With a lot of foul play and fake GSTINs in circulation, there is a chance that your GSTIN is also being duplicated elsewhere. Also, in some cases, the fake GSTIN is being used by business entities to secure the benefits of the GST Regime without registering under the same. The online tool available at https://services.gst.gov.in/services/searchtp can be used to check for the authenticity of the GSTIN. With the online verification of GSTIN, one can be assured of the protection against any vendors using fake GSTINs and thereby avoiding fraud. The tool can also be used by business entities for the correction of any potential errors made during GSTIN registration.
A GSTIN can be obtained free of cost by registering under the GST regime. Registration can be done in any of the following ways:
1: Registration by using the GST online portal facility
2: Registration by visiting your nearest GST Seva Kendra set up by the Government of India
It is mandatory to submit Form GST REG-01 along with the required documents either online/offline. After an officer performs verification, GSTIN will be allocated to you.
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