Biometric Authentication Now Available in Home States

On March 3, 2025, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) announced a major update in the GST registration process. The GST registration process has become more convenient for companies and the promoters and directors. Before the update, they were required to complete the biometric authentication at a GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) situated in the place where the company was registered. This used to create inconvenience due to extra travel time, and effort for individuals living in other states. People used to face various problems to timely completing their biometric verification because of this inconvenience.

After this new update, individuals and entities can complete their biometric verification at any GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) nearest to their home place.

GST Biometric Authentication is a process introduced by India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) system to verify the identity of taxpayers using biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition. It is mainly used for preventing fake registrations and fraudulent activities in the GST system.

Key Features of GST Biometric Authentication:

1. Identity Verification – Ensures that only genuine businesses get GST registration.
2. Prevention of Fraud – Reduces fake invoices, tax evasion, and bogus registrations.
3. Aadhaar-based Authentication – Often linked with Aadhaar (India’s unique ID system) for verification.
4. Selected High-Risk Cases – Applies to high-risk taxpayers flagged by the GST authorities.

Who Needs to Do Biometric Authentication?

• New GST registrants in certain high-risk states.
• Businesses flagged for verification due to suspicious activities.
• As per recent GST guidelines, biometric authentication is being introduced in phased manners in different states.

What is the Change? Biometric Authentication is Now Available in Home States

If you are a new applicant for the GST registration, it is now mandatory for you to complete the Aadhaar authentication. You can complete the verification in two ways:

1. OTP verification
2. Biometric Authentication

You can do this registration at any GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) situated near you. Before applicants had to travel to other states where the business was located. However, from March 3, 2025 this process has been simplified. You can now complete the biometric authentication process at any GSK located near your home. That means they now don’t need to travel to the other state only for the biometric verification. It helps them save their time and simplify the process for them. This also can help you operate business across multiple states, as you don’t need to visit every state which can make the process easy and convenient for you. For example, if a business is being registered in Delhi and the applicant lives in Tamil Nadu, they no longer need to travel to Delhi. They can finish the authentication process at a GSK in Tamil Nadu itself. This change in the biometric authentication process is more convenient as applicants can save time and effort.

Biometric Authentication Eligibility from Home-State

The individuals who are under the Promoter/Partner tab in the GST registration application fall under the criteria to get this facility. The types of business entities that fall under this category are mentioned below:

1. Private Limited Company
2. Public Limited Company
3. Unlimited Company
4. Foreign Company

Above-mentioned, any of the promoters and directors of these entities or companies are eligible to go to their nearest GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) in their home place to complete the biometric authentication process, according to their GST registration application (REG-01).

Key Points for Completing Your Biometric Verification from Home State

In the guidelines of this new facility of GSTIN it is clearly mentioned how it works, here are some key points to better understand this process. You should keep in mind these key points while you proceed to the verification process:

• Selection and Notification Process

1. Intimation Email:

In the case of a new GST registration application, when your application is selected for biometric authentication you will receive the details of GSK in your email ID. Here you have to select a GSK in your home state.

2. Following Instructions:

You have to follow the instructions mentioned in the email, you have received. You have to choose the suitable GSK in your home state following the instructions.

3. One- Time Selection :

The selection of the home state GSK cannot be changed later, so you have to be very careful about choosing the right one in the mail received by you.

4. Availability:

This new facility is already available in the 33 States or UTs in India. This includes Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Sikkim the rest of the states or UTs will be added soon by the Government of India. You can already make a choice from the range of possibilities for the Home-State GSK suitable for you.

• Process of Booking and Confirmation

1. Confirmation Email:

After you have selected the home state GSK that is suitable for you, you will receive a confirmation email with a link. This is the link for the new slot booking.

2. Slot Booking:

You can now book the time suitable for you to visit the GSK, by the link given to you. This can vary on the availability, you may not get the desired time if the slot is already full. In that case, you can check the next convenient slot for you.

3. Process of Biometric Authentication

• Photo and Biometrics

The officials will capture your photo and your biometrics will be taken and verified. After the authentication process will be completed in your convenient GSK in your Home state chosen by you.

• Repetition is Not required:

If you have already completed the process of biometric Authentication before, you don’t have to repeat the process again.

• Special Conditions For the Primary Authorized Signatory (PAS)

1. The Exception for PAS:

If the Primary Authorized Signatory (PAS) is the Promoter or the director of the company or entity, in that case they need to visit the designated jurisdictional GSK as mentioned to them for the document verification. The Home State GSK option will not be available for this case.

2. Order for the Recommended Process:

The Promoter or Director should complete the biometric verification. This is important if the promoter or director are the same individual. It should be done before the Primary Authorized Signatory (PAS) visits the GSK.

Note: For a Home-state GSK verification, it is not mandatory for Promoters or Directors, but still you should visit the designated jurisdictional GSK if they prefer.

Key Points for the Taxpayers

• No Need to Travel a Long Distance Anymore:

You don’t need to visit a different state for the sole purpose of biometric verification, as it can be done from the nearest GSK in your home state. This will save a lot of time and energy for you, which you can use for your business growth.

• Who is eligible to use this:

The Promoter or Director of the particular Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, Unlimited Company, and any Foreign Company.

• The One-Time Choice:

You get the choice of choosing your home state GSK only once, after that, you cannot change your decision, as the home state cannot be changed. That’s why you have to be very careful while choosing your preferred home state GSK.

• New Location But Same Process:

The process will be the same as before, photo capture and biometric verification will still be done in the GSK, but you will have the option of getting it done from your nearest GSK.

• PAS Exception:

In case, the Director or Promoter is the same individual who is the Primary Authorized Signatory (PAS), then they have to visit the mentioned jurisdictional GSK. This is not applicable to them.

• Your choice:

This is not mandatory to choose the home state GSK is an optional choice as you can still visit the jurisdictional GSK for the verification, if you prefer to do so.

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Conclusion

The update in the GST biometric authentication is very effective in enhancing convenience and efficiency. It helped in reducing the time and effort of traveling for an individual. It also helps an individual to reduce expenses, which means this is also a cost-effective process. This reform also ensures faster registration, promotes compliance, and strengthens identity verification, which benefits the growth of the business and individuals alike.