On January 24, 2025, GSTN issued an important advisory to taxpayers emphasizing the need to implement alternate mechanisms and redundancies for seamless operations of e-Invoice and e-Waybill systems. The advisory provides detailed insights into available solutions for business continuity, which are essential to mitigate disruptions in GST compliance processes.
This article outlines the key takeaways from the advisory and offers actionable recommendations for businesses.
Multi-IRP Mechanism for e-Invoice Reporting
To ensure uninterrupted e-Invoice operations, GSTN has introduced six operational Invoice Registration Portals (IRPs), providing redundancy and service continuity:
| IRP Name | Portal URL |
|---|---|
| NIC-IRP 1 | https://www.einvoice1.gst.gov.in |
| NIC-IRP 2 | https://www.einvoice2.gst.gov.in |
| Cygnet IRP | https://einvoice3.gst.gov.in |
| Clear IRP | https://einvoice4.gst.gov.in |
| EY IRP | https://einvoice5.gst.gov.in |
| IRIS IRP | https://einvoice6.gst.gov.in |
Key Features of NIC-IRP 1 & 2:
- Interoperability: Taxpayers can seamlessly switch between NIC-IRP 1 and NIC-IRP 2 during service interruptions.
- Sandbox Testing: NIC offers a sandbox environment for testing interoperability at https://einv-apisandbox.nic.in.
- Alternative IRPs: If NIC-IRP portals are down, other listed IRPs can also be utilized.
Dual Portal Redundancy for e-Waybill Services
The e-Waybill system is supported by two operational portals:
| Portal Name | URL |
|---|---|
| eWaybill1 | https://ewaybillgst.gov.in |
| eWaybill2 | https://ewaybill2.gst.gov.in |
Unified Authentication Token
- A single authentication token generated from any NIC-IRP (e-Invoice1, e-Invoice2) or NIC e-Waybill portal is valid across all platforms, eliminating the need for separate tokens for each portal.
API Interoperability for Seamless Operations
GSTN allows taxpayers to utilize APIs for cross-portal operations, ensuring smooth transitions between platforms.
API Configuration for e-Invoice Services:
- Access NIC1 services via NIC2 API: Pass
"NIC1"in theirpAPI header for APIs hosted at https://api.einvoice2.gst.gov.in. - Access NIC2 services via NIC1 API: Pass
"NIC2"in theirpAPI header for APIs hosted at https://api.einvoice1.gst.gov.in.
Supported e-Invoice API Functions:
- Get IRN Details
- Cancel IRN
- Retrieve IRN Details by Document Details
- Generate e-Waybill by IRN
- Get e-Waybill Details by IRN
API Configuration for e-Waybill Services:
- Interoperable APIs currently support:
- Get e-Waybill Details
- Update Part B of e-Waybill
APIs are available at:
Recommended Actions for Taxpayers
Taxpayers are advised to take the following steps to ensure business continuity:
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Direct API Access | Verify system compatibility for cross-portal interoperability and configure as necessary. |
| Coordinate with Service Providers | Engage with IRPs, ERPs, GSPs, or ASPs to enable alternate mechanisms and integrate them fully. |
| Explore Alternative IRPs | Utilize all six operational IRPs for uninterrupted e-Invoice reporting. |
Conclusion
GSTN’s advisory emphasizes proactive measures to minimize disruptions in compliance processes by utilizing multiple portals, cross-portal interoperability, and robust API integrations. Taxpayers should act promptly to implement these redundancies, ensuring smooth operations during any service interruptions.
Visit www.cagurujiclasses.com for practical courses
