On January 24, 2025, GSTN issued an advisory urging taxpayers to adopt alternate mechanisms and redundancies to ensure seamless e-Invoice and e-Waybill operations. The advisory highlights actionable solutions to maintain business continuity and mitigate disruptions in GST compliance processes.
This article summarizes the key insights and provides practical recommendations for businesses.
Multi-IRP Mechanism for e-Invoice Reporting
To guarantee uninterrupted e-Invoice services, GSTN has introduced six operational Invoice Registration Portals (IRPs):
| 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 testing environment for interoperability at https://einv-apisandbox.nic.in.
- Alternative IRPs: Taxpayers can utilize other listed IRPs if NIC portals experience downtime.
Dual Portal Redundancy for e-Waybill Services
The e-Waybill system is supported by two operational portals for redundancy:
| 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, removing the need for separate tokens.
API Interoperability for Seamless Operations
GSTN enables taxpayers to use APIs for cross-portal operations, ensuring smooth transitions between platforms.
API Configuration for e-Invoice Services:
- Access NIC1 via NIC2 API: Use “NIC1” in the irp API header for APIs hosted at https://api.einvoice2.gst.gov.in.
- Access NIC2 via NIC1 API: Use “NIC2” in the irp API header for APIs hosted at https://api.einvoice1.gst.gov.in.
Supported e-Invoice API Functions:
- Get IRN Details
- Cancel IRN
- Retrieve IRN 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
API Endpoints:
Recommended Actions for Taxpayers
To ensure business continuity, taxpayers should:
| Action | Details |
| Direct API Access | Ensure system compatibility for cross-portal interoperability and configure as needed. |
| Coordinate with Providers | Collaborate with IRPs, ERPs, GSPs, or ASPs to integrate alternate mechanisms effectively. |
| Explore Alternative IRPs | Use all six operational IRPs for uninterrupted e-Invoice reporting. |
Conclusion
GSTN’s advisory underscores the importance of proactive measures to minimize compliance disruptions. Businesses should promptly implement redundancies, leverage multiple portals, and integrate robust API solutions to maintain smooth operations during any service interruptions.
