Preparation, records and safer applications — before you open a portal.
Written by Ansh Sharma for Digital Seva Hub. Updated 9 November 2026. These are general preparation guides; the linked authorities publish the current rules. Directory access is free.
18 GUIDES / SIX CATEGORIES
A guide for your next task.
Choose a service for a focused checklist, practical next steps and help with common problems.
A document stored on your phone and a document issued into DigiLocker are not necessarily the same thing. Before an application, read the receiving authority’s accepted-document list. Check whether it accepts an issued digital document, an uploaded scan or a physical original at an appointment.
Start with DigiLocker for issued digital documents or UIDAI for Aadhaar information. Type the address yourself if a message or advertisement looks suspicious.
Compare names and other details with the application’s instructions. If records differ, use the issuing authority’s correction process rather than editing a document image.
Check the required file type and size before scanning. Keep the full document legible; do not crop out details the authority requests.
Upload only through the receiving portal. Keep a private backup, log out on shared devices and remove downloaded copies from public computers.
If a document is missing from DigiLocker, check whether its issuer participates and whether the identifying details match. A missing digital copy does not by itself mean the underlying document is invalid. Use the issuer’s helpdesk for record problems.
Choose the right starting point for a business
Udyam registration, GST registration and income-tax filing serve different purposes. An MSME registration does not replace tax registration or a licence required for a particular activity. Avoid choosing a portal solely because its name appears in a search advertisement.
Begin by noting your business activity, ownership structure and the question you need answered. The Udyam portal explains MSME registration, the GST portal covers GST services, and the Income Tax portal covers income-tax filing. Check their current eligibility and instructions rather than assuming every business must complete the same registrations.
Prepare the details listed by the relevant portal. Check spelling, ownership details and contact information before submitting. Save the acknowledgement and any payment receipt separately. If you are uncertain about a legal obligation or tax treatment, consult a qualified professional; this directory cannot decide it for you.
Keep an application trail you can use later
Before starting a passport, transport, voter or scholarship application, create a private checklist from the official instructions. Note the relevant application period, accepted documents and any appointment requirement. Eligibility and deadlines can differ by service and location.
After submitting, save the application or acknowledgement number and submission date. A payment receipt and an application acknowledgement may be separate records.
Use the status facility on the same official portal. A debited payment does not necessarily mean the application was submitted successfully.
If the status is unclear, check the portal’s retry or support guidance before paying again. Keep the transaction reference available for the official helpdesk.
For an appointment, check which original documents and receipts you must bring. Avoid relying on a screenshot of an old checklist.
A padlock indicates an encrypted connection, but does not prove that a website belongs to a government department. Compare the full hostname with the authority’s published address. Similar spellings and words such as “official” in a page title are not enough.
Read the destination before signing in, downloading software or paying. Do not install a remote-control app at a stranger’s request. Enter a UPI PIN only within your trusted payment app when authorising an action you understand; do not share it with support staff. An OTP can authorise access, so keep it private.
If you suspect fraud, contact your bank or payment provider promptly through its verified channel. Use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal for official reporting guidance. Preserve relevant messages and transaction references privately. Sending a complaint to this directory does not file an official report.