During the inauguration of the new CGST Bhawan in Ghaziabad on Friday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a strong appeal to Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials: leverage technology and internal systems instead of burdening taxpayers with excessive paperwork.
I am confident that with continued reforms, dedication and teamwork, we will reach new heights in revenue, compliance and service delivery.
The #NextGenGST reforms will make this system even more efficient, equitable and growth-oriented.
Keep up the good work, maintain the… pic.twitter.com/Yls9p0nca9
— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) October 24, 2025
Ms. Sitharaman emphasized that the officers’ responsibilities extend far beyond merely implementing reduced GST rates. She highlighted the GST Council’s commitment to a simpler, easier, seamless, and more transparent registration process. “Technology and risk-based parameters should bear the primary responsibility, not the taxpayers,” she stated firmly. “We do not want any field officer to impose additional burdens or obligations on them.”
She urged tax officials to proactively utilize technology for assessing situations, only engaging taxpayers directly when absolutely essential. “There should be no shifting of responsibility by demanding more papers or information,” she warned. “Be sharp, be smart, and embrace technology.”
Looking ahead, the Finance Minister announced a new GST registration system effective November 1st. This innovative approach will offer ‘automatic’ registration for two categories: applicants identified by system-driven data analysis, and those whose self-assessed output taxability remains below ₹2.5 lakh per month. Her clear directive to officials was to ensure this process remains smooth and user-friendly for taxpayers.
Under this streamlined system, registration for these two categories will be completed within a mere three working days, a reform anticipated to benefit a significant 96% of new applicants. Ms. Sitharaman underscored that the field formation’s crucial role is to operationalize this system flawlessly, eliminating any potential snags. Furthermore, she specifically directed senior officials to ensure that GST Seva Kendras nationwide are adequately staffed, easily accessible, and meticulously maintained, thereby guaranteeing timely and high-quality assistance for all taxpayers.