Provisions under Rule 21A of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Rules, 2017 relating to “Suspension of GST Registration”, are as under:

CGST Rule 21A: Suspension of registration (Chapter-III: Registration Rules) [rule 21A inserted from 01/02/2019: refer Note 1]

Rule 21A of CGST Rules 2017: Suspension of GST Registration

(1) Where a registered person has applied for cancellation of registration under rule 20, the registration shall be deemed to be suspended from the date of submission of the application or the date from which the cancellation is sought, whichever is later, pending the completion of proceedings for cancellation of registration under rule 22.

(2) Where the proper officer has reasons to believe that the registration of a person is liable to be cancelled under section 29 or under rule 21, he may, after affording the said person a reasonable opportunity of being heard, [text omitted from 22/12/2020: refer Note 3(a)] suspend the registration of such person with effect from a date to be determined by him, pending the completion of the proceedings for cancellation of registration under rule 22.

(2A) Where,-

(a) a comparison of the returns furnished by a registered person under section 39 with the details of outward supplies furnished in FORM GSTR-1 or the details of inward supplies derived based on the details of outward supplies furnished by his suppliers in their FORM GSTR-1, or such other analysis, as may be carried out on the recommendations of the Council, show that there are significant differences or anomalies indicating contravention of the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder, leading to cancellation of registration of the said person, or

(b) there is a contravention of the provisions of rule 10A by the registered person,

the registration of such person shall be suspended and the said person shall be intimated in FORM GST REG-31, electronically, on the common portal, or by sending a communication to his e-mail address provided at the time of registration or as amended from time to time, highlighting the said differences, anomalies or non-compliances and asking him to explain, within a period of thirty days, as to why his registration shall not be cancelled. [substituted  sub-rule (2A) from 04/08/2023: refer Note 5(a)]

(3) A registered person, whose registration has been suspended under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (2A) [text inserted from 22/12/2020: refer Note 3(c)], shall not make any taxable supply during the period of suspension and shall not be required to furnish any return under section 39.

Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-rule, the expression “shall not make any taxable supply” shall mean that the registered person shall not issue a tax invoice and, accordingly, not charge tax on supplies made by him during the period of suspension. [explanation inserted from 09/10/2019: refer Note 2(a)]

(3A) A registered person, whose registration has been suspended under sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (2A), shall not be granted any refund under section 54, during the period of suspension of his registration. [sub-rule (3A) inserted from 22/12/2020: refer Note 3(d)]

(4) The suspension of registration under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2)  or sub-rule (2A) [text inserted from 22/12/2020: refer Note 3(c)] shall be deemed to be revoked upon completion of the proceedings by the proper officer under rule 22 and such revocation shall be effective from the date on which the suspension had come into effect.

Provided that the suspension of registration under this rule may be revoked by the proper officer, anytime during the pendency of the proceedings for cancellation, if he deems fit. [first proviso inserted from 22/12/2020: refer Note 3(e)]

Provided further that where the registration has been suspended under sub-rule (2A) for contravention of the provisions contained in clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 29 and the registration has not already been cancelled by the proper officer under rule 22, the suspension of registration shall be deemed to be revoked upon furnishing of all the pending returns. [second proviso inserted from 05/07/2022: refer Note 4]

Provided also that where the registration has been suspended under sub-rule (2A) for contravention of provisions of rule 10A and the registration has not already been cancelled by the proper officer under rule 22, the suspension of registration shall be deemed to be revoked upon compliance with the provisions of rule 10A. [third proviso inserted from 04/08/2023: refer Note 5(b)]

(5) Where any order having the effect of revocation of suspension of registration has been passed, the provisions of clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 31 and section 40 in respect of the supplies made during the period of suspension and the procedure specified therein shall apply. [sub-rule (5) inserted from 09/10/2019: refer Note 2(b)]

Amendments History:

1. Rule 21A inserted from 01/02/2019, vide Notification 3/2019.

2. Amendments from 09/10/2019 vide Notification 49/2019:

(a) Explanation to sub-rule (3) inserted; and

b) Sub-rule (5) inserted.

3. Amendments from 22/12/2020 vide Notification 94/2020:

(a) In sub rule (2), the text ‘after affording the said person a reasonable opportunity of being heard’ omitted;

(b) Sub-rule (2A) inserted; [also refer Note 5(a)]

(c) The text ‘or sub-rule (2A)’ inserted in sub rule (3) and (4);

(d) Sub rule (3A) inserted; and

(e) Proviso to Sub rule (4) inserted.

4. Second proviso inserted in sub-rule (4) from 05/07/2022 vide Notification 14/2022.

5. Amendments from 04/08/2023 vide Notification 38/2023:

(a) Sub-rule (2A) substituted. Sub-rule (2A) before substitution:

“(2A) Where, a comparison of the returns furnished by a registered person under section 39 with

(a) the details of outward supplies furnished in FORM GSTR 1; or

(b) the details of inward supplies derived based on the details of outward supplies furnished by his suppliers in their FORM GSTR 1,

or such other analysis, as may be carried out on the recommendations of the Council, show that there are significant differences or anomalies indicating contravention of the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder, leading to cancellation of registration of the said person, his registration shall be suspended and the said person shall be intimated in FORM GST REG 31, electronically, on the common portal, or by sending a communication to his e-mail address provided at the time of registration or as amended from time to time, highlighting the said differences and anomalies and asking him to explain, within a period of thirty days, as to why his registration shall not be cancelled.” [sub-rule (2A) inserted from 22/12/2020: refer Note 3(b)/ sub-rule (2A) substituted from 04/08/2023: refer Note 5(a)]

(b) Third proviso inserted in sub-rule (4).

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CGST Rules 2017: Last Updated 30/11/2023
The CGST Rules 2017 along with the prescribed GST Forms were initially notified vide Notifications 3/2017 dated 19/06/2017 (Rule 1 to 26), 10/2017 dated 28/06/2017 (Rules 27 to 138) and 15/2017 dated 01/07/2017 (Rules 139 to 162). These Rules/ Forms were subsequently amended by CBIC through various Notifications issued from time to time. Information on this page is a Rule-wise compilation of the Amendments made by various Notifications issued by CBIC from time to time, with best possible efforts for accuracy. In any case, E&OE. For official/ updated information, please visit CBIC website.

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