GST Registration Status Check: Track Your Application with ARN (2026)
Applied for GST and waiting? Here is how to track the application with your ARN, what each status on the GST portal means, and what to do if the officer raises a query.
Official portal: GST Portal (GSTN)
Indus Tax is a private CA firm, not affiliated with the Government of India. This guide explains the official process; we never ask for your portal password.
What is an ARN?
After you submit and verify a GST registration application (Form GST REG-01), the GST portal generates an Application Reference Number (ARN) and sends it to your registered email and mobile. You use the ARN to track the application until a GSTIN is issued.
How to check GST registration status without logging in
The tracker is available on the portal's home page:
- 1Open gst.gov.in.
- 2Go to Services > Registration > Track Application Status.
- 3Select ARN and enter your Application Reference Number.
- 4Type the captcha and click Search.
- 5The current status is shown along with the date of filing.
What each status means
The status wording tells you whether you need to act:
| Status | What it means | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Pending for Processing | The application is with the tax officer | Wait — normal approval time is 7 working days |
| Pending for Clarification | The officer has issued a notice in Form GST REG-03 | Reply in Form GST REG-04 within 7 working days |
| Clarification filed – Pending for Order | Your reply is under review | Wait for the officer's order |
| Clarification not filed – Pending for Order | No reply was filed in time | Expect rejection; reply or reapply promptly |
| Approved | GSTIN issued | Download the certificate (Form GST REG-06) and complete first-time login |
| Rejected | Rejected by order in Form GST REG-05 | Read the reasons, fix the gaps and file a fresh application |
How long GST registration takes in 2026
An application is normally approved within 7 working days. It can take up to 30 days if you did not opt for Aadhaar authentication, if authentication failed, or if the officer orders physical verification of your premises. Under the simplified scheme in force from 1 November 2025 (Rule 14A), applicants whose output tax on supplies to registered businesses will not exceed ₹2.5 lakh a month can get registration within 3 working days, subject to Aadhaar authentication. Applicants flagged as low-risk by the system's data analytics can also be approved within 3 working days.
Common reasons for REG-03 queries and rejection
Most queries are about documents that do not match each other:
- Address proof does not match the principal place of business, or a rent agreement is submitted without the owner's ID or utility bill
- Unclear photographs, signatures or scanned documents
- Business activity or HSN/SAC codes that do not fit the documents
- Aadhaar authentication not completed or failed
- PAN or bank details that do not match
- Premises found closed or not traceable during physical verification
After approval: download your GST certificate
Once the status shows Approved:
- 1Log in to gst.gov.in (complete first-time login if you have not already).
- 2Go to Services > User Services > View/Download Certificates.
- 3Click Download to save the registration certificate (Form GST REG-06).
- 4Display the certificate at your principal place of business and each additional place, and show your GSTIN on the name board.
Need expert help applying this to your situation?
Our CA team reviews your numbers and gives you a clear answer — usually within hours.
