Important Facts of the News
- Notification No.: 18/2025 – Central Tax
- Authority: Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), CBIC
- Date of Issue: 31 October 2025
- Effective Date of Rules: 1 November 2025
- New Rule Inserted: Rule 9A (Electronic grant of registration)
- Registration to be granted electronically within three working days based on data analysis and risk parameters
- New Rule Inserted: Rule 14A (Optional registration for taxpayers with monthly output tax liability up to Rs 2,50,000)
- Aadhaar authentication mandatory for eligibility under Rule 14A
- Withdrawal from option under Rule 14A to be made through FORM GST REG-32
- Revised and new formats introduced for FORM GST REG-03, REG-04, REG-05, REG-32 and REG-33
Overview
The Central Government has approved a fresh set of amendments to the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017. These revisions are introduced under the Central Goods and Services Tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025 and will come into effect from 1 November 2025.
Electronic Grant of Registration Under Rule 9A
A new provision has been included after Rule 9, allowing the registration process to be completed electronically. Applicants submitting registration under Rule 8, Rule 12 or Rule 17 will now receive registration approval within three working days, subject to identification on the common portal based on data analysis and risk assessment parameters.
Optional Registration Scheme for Small Taxpayers
Rule 14A Introduced
An optional registration mechanism has been created for persons whose monthly output tax liability on supplies to registered recipients does not exceed Rs 2,50,000. Eligible applicants may opt for registration under this facility, provided they undergo Aadhaar authentication.
A person registered under this provision in a particular State or Union Territory will not be eligible for a second registration in the same jurisdiction against the same PAN under this rule.
Withdrawal Procedure
If a registered person intends to discontinue the option available under Rule 14A, they must apply through FORM GST REG-32. The application must be filed only after furnishing required returns for a minimum specified period and ensuring no cancellation proceedings are pending. Upon approval, the registered person may report output tax exceeding the prescribed limit from the following month.
Revisions to Registration Forms
Several registration-related forms have been updated to reflect procedural changes. FORM GST REG-03, REG-04, and REG-05 have been substituted with revised formats. Additionally, FORM GST REG-32 (Application for Withdrawal) and FORM GST REG-33 (Order of Withdrawal Approval) have been newly introduced.
Conclusion
These amendments focus on streamlining the registration process, facilitating faster approvals and offering a simplified compliance route for small taxpayers. The introduction of electronic identification and Aadhaar-based verification mechanisms aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in GST administration.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Revenue) — (CENTRAL BOARD OF INDIRECT TAXES AND CUSTOMS)
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 164 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017), the Central Government, on the recommendations of the Council, hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017, namely:
- Short title and commencement.(1) These rules may be called the Central Goods and Services Tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025.
(2) These rules shall come into force with effect from 1st day of November, 2025.
- Insertion of rule 9A (Grant of registration electronically).In the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), after rule 9, the following rule shall be inserted, namely:
“9A. Grant of registration electronically. — Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 9, any person who has applied for registration under rule 8 or rule 12 or rule 17, shall, upon identification on the common portal based on data analysis and risk parameters, be granted registration electronically by the common portal, within three working days from the date of submission of application.
- Amendment to rule 10(1).In the said rules, in sub-rule (1) of rule 10, after the words and figure
"under rule 9,", the words, letters and figures"rule 9A and rule 14A,"shall be inserted. - Insertion of rule 14A (Option for taxpayers having monthly output tax liability below threshold limit).In the said rules, after rule 14, the following rule shall be inserted, namely:
14A. Option for taxpayers having monthly output tax liability below threshold limit. – (1) Any person who has made application for registration under rule 8 and who determines that his total output tax liability on supply of goods or services or both made to registered persons on account of central tax and State tax or Union territory tax and integrated tax and compensation cess, does not exceed two lakh and fifty thousand rupees per month, shall have an option to get registration electronically, in accordance with the provisions of this rule. (2) Any person, other than a person notified under sub-section (6D) of section 25, who has not opted for authentication of Aadhaar number, shall not be eligible for grant of registration in terms of this rule. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 11, a person registered under this rule in a State or Union territory shall not be eligible to obtain another registration in the same State or Union territory under this rule against the same Permanent Account Number. (4) Upon successful authentication of Aadhar number, the applicant referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be granted registration electronically by the common portal, within three working days from the date of submission of application. (5) The registered person who intends to withdraw from the option availed under sub-rule (1), shall file an application, in FORM GST REG-32, duly signed or verified through electronic verification code on the common portal, either directly or through a Facilitation Centre notified by the Commissioner: Provided that the registered person shall not be allowed to file such application unless he has furnished, - (a) returns for a period of minimum three months, where such application is filed before 1st April, 2026; (b) returns for a period of minimum one tax period, where such application is filed on or after 1st April, 2026; and (c) all the returns due for the period from the effective date of registration till the date of application for withdrawal: Provided further that the registered person shall be allowed to file such application where no proceedings under section 29 have been initiated against such registered person. (6) Where there is any change in particulars furnished in FORM GST REG-01 by the person who has been granted registration under this rule, the said registered person shall get the particulars amended under rule 19 before filing an application for withdrawal under sub-rule (5). (7) Based on data analysis and risk parameters on the common portal, the provisions of sub-rule (4A) of rule 8 relating to authentication of Aadhaar number or biometric-based Aadhaar authentication, taking photograph of the applicant along with verification of original copy of documents uploaded along with registration application in FORM GST REG-01, shall, so far as may be, apply to application for withdrawal filed under sub-rule (5). (8) The provisions of sub-rules (5) and (6) of rule 8 relating to issuance of acknowledgment, shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the application filed under sub-rule (5). (9) The application filed for withdrawal under sub-rule (5), shall be verified in accordance with the provisions of rule 9. (10) Upon verification under sub-rule (9), the proper officer shall issue an order in FORM GST REG-33 allowing the application for withdrawal from the option availed under sub-rule (1) or order for rejection of application in FORM GST REG-05, within a period specified under rule 9, as the case may be, which shall be made available to the registered person on the common portal. (11) The registered person who has received an order issued under sub-rule (10) allowing withdrawal shall be able to furnish the details of output tax liability on supply of goods or services or both made to registered persons, exceeding the output tax liability as referred to in sub-rule (1), from the first day of succeeding month in which the said order has been issued. (12) A registered person to whom an order under sub-rule (10) has been issued, shall not amend the details furnished in respect of output tax liability so as to exceed the limit of the output tax liability specified in sub-rule (1) for the period prior to the first day of succeeding month in which the said order has been issued. (13) Where proceedings for cancellation of registration have been initiated by the proper officer after the filing of withdrawal application and the said proceedings are pending, the withdrawal application under sub-rule (5) shall be rejected by the proper officer and the provisions in relation to approval of application on deemed basis under sub-rule (5) of rule 9, shall not be applicable in such case.
- Changes in FORM GST REG-01.In the said rules, in FORM GST REG-01, —
- after the word, letters and figures
“FORM GST REG-01”and before the words“Application for Registration”, for the brackets, words and figures[See rule 8(1)], the brackets, words, figures and letter[See rules 8(1) and 14A]shall be substituted; - in Part-B, in the table, after serial number 4 and the entries relating thereto, the following serial numbers shall be inserted, namely:
4.1 Option for registration under rule 14A YES NO 4.1.1 Declaration by person opting for registration under rule 14A I hereby declare that the aforesaid business shall abide by the conditions and restrictions specified in the Act or the rules for opting to register under rule 14A.
- under the heading ‘Instructions for submission of Application for Registration’, after serial number 8, the following serial number shall be inserted, namely:
8A. Any person opting for registration under rule 14A shall undergo OTP based authentication of Aadhaar number.
- after the word, letters and figures
- Amendment to FORM GST REG-02.In the said rules, in FORM GST REG-02, after the word, letters and figures
“FORM GST REG-02”, for the brackets, words and figures[See rule 8(5)], the brackets, words, figures and letter[See rules 8(5) and 14A]shall be substituted. - Substitution of FORM GST REG-03.In the said rules, for the FORM GST REG-03, the following Form shall be substituted, namely:
FORM GST REG-03 [See rules 9(2), 19(2) and 14A] Reference Number: Date– To Name of the Applicant: Address: GSTIN/GSTP ID (if available): Application Reference No. (ARN): Date: Notice for Seeking Additional Information / Clarification / Documents relating to Application for <<Registration/Amendment/Cancellation/Withdrawal>> This is with reference to your <<registration/amendment/cancellation/withdrawal >> application filed vide ARN <> Dated –DD/MM/YYYY. The Department has examined your application and is not satisfied with it for the following reasons: 1. 2. 3. … You are directed to submit your reply by .........(DD/MM/YYYY) *You are hereby directed to appear before the undersigned on ……… (DD/MM/YYYY) at ……. (HH:MM) If no response is received by the stipulated date or if proceedings under section 29 is initiated against you, your application is liable for rejection. Please note that no further notice / reminder will be issued in this matter. Signature Name of the Proper Officer: Designation: Jurisdiction: * Not applicable for New Registration Application and Withdrawal.
- Substitution of FORM GST REG-04.In the said rules, for the FORM GST REG-04, the following Form shall be substituted, namely:
FORM GST REG-04 [See rules 9(2), 19(3) and 14A] Clarification/additional information/document for <<Registration/Amendment/Cancellation/Withdrawal >> 1. Notice details Reference No. Date 2. Application details Reference No. Date 3. GSTIN/GSTP ID, if applicable 4. Name of Business (Legal) 5. Trade name, if any 6. Address 7. Whether any modification in the application for registration or fields is required. - Yes / No (Tick one) 8. Additional Information 9. List of Documents uploaded 10. Verification I hereby solemnly affirm and declare that the information given hereinabove is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed therefrom. Signature of Authorised Signatory Name Designation/Status: Place: Date: Note: 1. For new registration, original registration application will be available in editable mode if option ‘Yes’ is selected in item 7. 2. For amendment of registration particulars, the fields intended to be amended will be available in editable mode if option “Yes” is selected in item 7. 3. For withdrawal from option availed under rule 14A, item 7 will be disabled.
- Substitution of FORM GST REG-05.In the said rules, for the FORM GST REG-05, the following Form shall be substituted, namely:
FORM GST REG-05 [See rules 9(4), 19(4), 23(2)(b) and 14A] Reference Number: Date– To Name of the Applicant Address - GSTIN/ GSTP ID (if available) Order of Rejection of Application for This has reference to your reply filed vide ARN --- dated----. The reply has been examined and the same has not been found to be satisfactory for the following reasons: 1. 2. 3. … Therefore, your application is rejected in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Or You have not replied to the notice issued vide reference no. …….. dated…...within the time specified therein. Therefore, your application is hereby rejected in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Signature Name Designation Jurisdiction
- Insertion of FORM GST REG-32 (Application for Withdrawal).In the said rules, after the FORM GST REG-31, the following Form shall be inserted, namely:
FORM GST REG-32 [See rule 14A (5)] Application for Withdrawal 1. GSTIN 2. Legal name 3. Trade name, if any 4. Address of Principal Place of business 5. Option for registration under rule 14A (i) Yes (ii) No 6. Aadhaar Authentication (i) Primary Authorized Signatory (auto) (ii) Promoter/Partner (auto) 7. Reason for Withdrawal (i) Output tax liability in respect of supply made to registered person exceeds two lakh fifty thousand rupees per month. (ii) Other - Please specify 8. Verification I hereby solemnly affirm and declare that I want to withdraw from the option availed under sub-rule (1) of rule 14A and I understand that the provisions of sub-rule (4A), sub-rule (5) and sub-rule (6) of rule 8 and provisions of rule 9 relating to verification of the application and physical verification of places of business and corresponding procedures and time period shall apply to my withdrawal application. Signature of Authorised Signatory Name Designation / Status Place Date Instructions for submission of application for withdrawal 1. In ‘Option for registration under rule 14A’ field, option YES will be disabled on common portal. 2. Permanent Account Number shall be verified with Income Tax database. 3. Aadhaar Authentication of Primary Authorised Signatory and one selected Promoter or Partner is mandatory. 4. Before applying for withdrawal from the option availed under rule 14A, all the pending returns till the date of application shall be furnished. It is mandatory to furnish returns for a period of minimum three months, where such application has been filed before 1st April, 2026, and a minimum one tax period, where such application is filed on or after 1st April, 2026. 5. Please ensure that no amendment application is pending at the time of filing of FORM GST REG-32. 6. Once FORM GST REG-32 is filed, no amendment application will be allowed to be filed till the disposal of application under FORM GST REG-32. 7. ARN will be generated only after successful OTP based authentication of Aadhaar number or completion of the process of biometric based Aadhar authentication along with the verification of original copy of the documents uploaded with the application in FORM GST REG-01. 8. Please note that filing of cancellation application will not be allowed once FORM GST REG-32 is filed till the disposal of application. 9. In case the proceedings under section 29 have been initiated, application for withdrawal in FORM GST REG-32 will not be allowed to be filed.
- Insertion of FORM GST REG-33 (Order of withdrawal).In the said rules, after the FORM GST REG-32, the following Form shall be inserted, namely:
FORM GST REG-33 [See rule 14A (10)] Reference Number - <<>> Date – DD/MM/YYYY To (Name) (Address) Registration Number (GSTIN) Application Reference No. (ARN) Dated – DD/MM/YYYY Order of withdrawal from option availed under sub-rule (1) of rule 14A This has reference to your application number------ dated submitted under sub-rule (6) of rule 14A regarding withdrawal from the option availed under sub-rule (1) of rule 14A. Your application has been examined and the same has been accepted under the provisions of sub-rule (11) of rule 14A. The amended certificate of registration is available on your dashboard for download. Signature Name Designation Jurisdiction Date: Place:
[F. No. CBIC-20013/3/2025-GST]
KANGALE SHRUNKHALA MOTIRAM, Director
Note: The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide notification No. 3/2017-Central Tax, dated the 19th June, 2017, published, vide number G.S.R. 610(E), dated the 19th June, 2017 and were last amended, vide notification No. 13/2025–Central Tax, dated the 17th September, 2025, vide number G.S.R. 672(E), dated the 17th September, 2025.