GST (Goods and Services Tax) in India has changed the business operating environment post-2017. It has streamlined a system of disparate tax regimes into one digitised system. The GSTIN (GST Identification Number) is one of the essential components of this system. It is a unique identification number that all registered taxpayers should have.
Be it to confirm the validity of a vendor or to retrieve your own GSTIN, the functionality of searching GST numbers online with PAN (Permanent Account Number) or a business name is extremely handy. In this guide, we will lead you through the process of conducting a GST search by PAN and name, the scope and limitations of these types of GST search and all the information you need to know to gain access to the correct and validated GST data.
What is a GSTIN (GST Identification Number)?
A GST Identification Number or GSTIN is a 15-digit alpha-numeric code given to every GST-registered taxpayer in India by the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). It is a unique digital identity used in tax and is mandatory for all businesses that supply goods or services over and above a stipulated turnover limit.
Structure of GSTIN:
Example GSTIN: 27AAECS1234L1Z2
- First 2 digits (27): State code (Maharashtra in this case)
- Next 10 digits (AAECS1234L): The taxpayer’s PAN
- 13th digit (1): Registration number of the taxpayer under a given PAN in that state
- 14th digit (Z): Default alphabet (currently unused)
- 15th digit (2): Checksum digit for error detection
Section 25 of the CGST Act, 2017 mandates every taxable person to be registered and consequently be granted with a GSTIN. A company that has a business operation in various states will need to have state-wise registrations, which implies that a single PAN can be associated with more than one GSTIN.
Why Would You Need to Do a GST Search?
There are various reasons for conducting a GST number online search. These include:
1. Vendor Due Diligence
It is important to check the GSTIN of the vendor before making any B2B transaction. This is more important in cases where Input Tax Credit (ITC) is involved. Input Tax Credit is only available when the supplier is registered and has submitted returns properly.
2. Compliance & Invoicing
The GSTIN of both the supplier and recipient must be incorporated in the invoicing under GST. Not mentioning valid GSTINs may result in non-compliant invoices, which can be penalised according to Rule 46 of the CGST Rules.
3. Recovery of Forgotten GSTIN
Companies with several units or frequent staff changes can lose control over the credentials. The use of GST Search by PAN assists in the retrieval of the correct GSTINs in a short time span.
4. Verifying GSTIN of New Partners or Buyers
In business such as manufacturing, logistics and wholesale trade, it is important to ensure that the counter party is a genuine registered dealer. This will help ensure the continuity of the credit chains.
5. Government Tenders and Registrations
A valid GSTIN is required to be quoted in many government tenders, Udyam registrations and MSME schemes.
Methods to Search GST Number Online in India
There are primarily three ways to find GST number online:
- GST Search by PAN
- GSTIN search by name (with limitations)
- By GSTIN (for verification)
All such searches should ideally be performed via the official GST Portal (www.gst.gov.in). This will help ensure reliability and real-time data access.
GST Search by PAN (Permanent Account Number)
Doing a GST search by PAN is one of the most reliable methods to find one or more GSTINs linked to a particular business.
Step-by-Step: How to Search GST Number by PAN
- Visit the official GST Portal: www.gst.gov.in
- Go to ‘Search Taxpayer’ under the Services tab
- Select ‘Search by PAN’
- Enter the 10-digit PAN number and CAPTCHA code
- Click Search
What Results Will You Get?
You will see:
- GSTIN(s) registered under the given PAN
- Legal and trade names of the business
- State of registration
- Registration status (Active/Cancelled)
- Type of taxpayer (Regular, Composition, Non-Resident, etc.)
This method is ideal when:
- You are verifying the GST registration of a supplier with a known PAN
- You operate in multiple states and want to track all registrations under your PAN
- You are filing returns and cross-verifying data
GST Search by Name
The GST portal does not officially support searching a GSTIN only by a business or trade name, primarily because of data privacy and the absence of a centralised public name directory.
Constraints of GST Search by Name
- No direct search on the official GST Portal
- Confusion can be caused by similar business names in different states or different sectors.
- Risk of receiving incomplete or outdated information from third-party sources
Alternative Sources for GST Search by Name:
- Third-Party applications such as ClearTax, KnowYourGST, Masters India, etc.
- GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs). They are the authorised intermediaries with access to GSTN APIs
- Government notifications or directories (limited availability)
Never rely on any GSTIN obtained through third party tools without verifying it on the official GSTIN verification tool on the site www.gst.gov.in.
Alternative Ways to Retrieve Your Own GST Number Online
If you are trying to find your own GSTIN, especially after internal staff turnover or IT issues, here are a few alternate ways:
1. GST Portal Login
- Log into www.gst.gov.in
- Click on ‘My Profile’ on the dashboard
- Your GSTIN(s) will be listed under the profile section
2. GST Registration Certificate
- You can download your certificate from your account dashboard under ‘View/Download Certificates’
- GSTIN appears on the top of the certificate and on every page header
3. GST Communication
- Check your registered email ID and SMS inbox for messages from gst.gov.in at the time of registration approval
Common Issues Faced During GST Search
No GSTIN Found for PAN
- PAN not registered under GST
- Typing errors in PAN or CAPTCHA
Inactive or Cancelled GSTINs
- Businesses that cancelled their registration may still appear in the search but marked Cancelled
Portal Performance Issues
- The GST portal can slow down or become unresponsive during peak filing periods (10th–20th of every month)
Data Not Synced
- If a registration is very recent, the system may take 24–48 hours to reflect it
Tips for Accurate GST Number Search
- Always use official portal (www.gst.gov.in) for primary data
- Double-check PAN details — it must be 10 characters, all uppercase
- Cross-verify any third-party result using the “Search by GSTIN” option
- Avoid over-reliance on name-only searches
- Download and store your GSTIN records for compliance and audit readiness
Final Thoughts
Searching GST numbers based on PAN or name is a necessary feature in the current business world where compliance is of utmost importance. As a CA filing returns, a procurement manager vetting vendors, or a business owner retrieving your own credentials, these tools can make the decision making process easier and more solid for you.
As we have seen above, PAN-based search is the most sensible and legally backed approach. Name-based search is useful in some cases but must be handled with caution and never be taken at face value.
The compliance with GST starts with the correct data. With the help of tools and insights provided above, you not only will remain compliant but also will earn the trust of your professional ecosystem.
