GST State Code 03 — Punjab
GST state code 03 is the code for Punjab. Any GSTIN beginning with “03” was issued to a business registered in Punjab under the Goods and Services Tax.
Where the code sits inside a GSTIN
A GSTIN is exactly 15 characters. The first two digits are the state code — 03 for Punjab. Characters 3 to 12 are the PAN of the registered business, character 13 counts that PAN's registrations within the state (1–9, then A–Z), character 14 is the letter “Z” by default, and character 15 is a check digit computed from the first fourteen.
Worked example (fictitious PAN, valid structure and check digit):
03ABCDE1234F1ZA
Here 03ABCDE1234F1ZA reads as: registered in Punjab, PAN ABCDE1234F, first registration for that PAN in the state, with a mathematically valid check digit. Do not invoice against example numbers — always verify the real GSTIN first.
GST administration in Punjab
Punjab's GST administration is headquartered in Chandigarh with central jurisdiction split between the Ludhiana and Jalandhar CGST Commissionerates of the Chandigarh zone. Expect heavy registration density among Ludhiana's hosiery and bicycle manufacturers, Jalandhar's sports-goods makers, and rice millers and agri-commission agents across the grain belt.
Verify a Punjab GST number
All GST state codes
| Code | State / Union Territory |
|---|---|
| 01 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 02 | Himachal Pradesh |
| 03 | Punjab |
| 04 | Chandigarh |
| 05 | Uttarakhand |
| 06 | Haryana |
| 07 | Delhi |
| 08 | Rajasthan |
| 09 | Uttar Pradesh |
| 10 | Bihar |
| 11 | Sikkim |
| 12 | Arunachal Pradesh |
| 13 | Nagaland |
| 14 | Manipur |
| 15 | Mizoram |
| 16 | Tripura |
| 17 | Meghalaya |
| 18 | Assam |
| 19 | West Bengal |
| 20 | Jharkhand |
| 21 | Odisha |
| 22 | Chhattisgarh |
| 23 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 24 | Gujarat |
| 26 | Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu |
| 27 | Maharashtra |
| 29 | Karnataka |
| 30 | Goa |
| 31 | Lakshadweep |
| 32 | Kerala |
| 33 | Tamil Nadu |
| 34 | Puducherry |
| 35 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| 36 | Telangana |
| 37 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 38 | Ladakh |
| 97 | Other Territory |
| 99 | Centre Jurisdiction |
Frequently asked questions
Which state has GST state code 03?
GST state code 03 belongs to Punjab. Every GSTIN issued to a business registered in Punjab begins with the digits 03.
Where does the state code appear in a Punjab GSTIN?
The state code is always the first two characters of the 15-character GSTIN. If a GSTIN starts with 03, the registration was issued in Punjab. Characters 3–12 are the PAN of the business, character 13 is the entity number, character 14 is always “Z”, and character 15 is a checksum.
Is the GST state code the same as the state's vehicle or census code?
No. GST state codes follow the Indian Census 2011 numbering adopted by GSTN, which is different from RTO vehicle registration codes. Always use the two-digit GST code when filing returns or raising invoices.
What does it mean if my supplier's GSTIN does not start with 03 but they claim to operate from Punjab?
It usually means the supplier is registered in a different state and supplies to Punjab inter-state (IGST applies instead of CGST+SGST). If they invoice you claiming local registration with a mismatched state code, verify the GSTIN before paying — the place of supply affects your input tax credit.
Can one business have more than one GSTIN in Punjab?
Yes. A business with multiple verticals or units in Punjab can hold multiple GSTINs, all starting with 03 and sharing the same PAN — only the 13th character (entity number) differs. Search by PAN on GST Search to see every registration held by one PAN.