Overview
Connect a real GST/NIC portal login so GST Filing, E-Invoice, and E-Way Bill tools can run without asking for it every time.
Several Sandbox GST operations -- reading a GSTR-1 section, filing GSTR-3B, generating an e-invoice, cancelling an e-way bill -- act on behalf of a specific GSTIN's own government-portal login, not just a Sandbox API key. Government Portal Connections is where a workspace stores that login once, so every workflow and tool for that GSTIN can reuse it instead of asking again.
This section covers:
Connecting a GSTIN
Step-by-step: open Settings, pick a connection type, and finish the handshake for GST Taxpayer (OTP) or NIC E-Invoice/E-Way Bill (password) connections.
Binding Actions
The confirmation gate every irreversible GST/TDS/e-invoice/e-way-bill action goes through before it actually reaches the government.
Two Connection Types, Two Different Handshakes
Every connection is scoped to one workspace and one GSTIN. Connecting a GSTIN once unlocks every tool and block that reads or writes for it -- there's nothing to reconnect per workflow.
GST Taxpayer (OTP) -- unlocks GST Filing reads (GSTR-1/1A/2A/2B/3B/9, filing status, notices, IMS) and GST Ledgers reads. GSTN itself only supports OTP login for this portal, so connecting means requesting a one-time code and entering it -- there's no password to store. If someone other than the person configuring the workflow holds that OTP, a delegate link can be emailed to them instead; they verify the code without ever needing a Mandala account. The resulting session lasts about 6 hours and can be refreshed without a fresh OTP.
NIC E-Invoice / E-Way Bill (password) -- unlocks e-invoice (IRN) and e-way bill tools. These are separate government systems from the GST taxpayer portal, and they authenticate with an ordinary username/password rather than OTP. Connecting verifies the password immediately and stores it (encrypted) so the session can refresh itself automatically before it expires, with no further action needed.
A GST Taxpayer connection does not unlock e-invoice or e-way bill tools, and a NIC connection does not unlock GST Filing/Ledgers reads -- they're independent government systems with independent logins. A GSTIN that needs both connects twice, once per type.
Who Can Manage Connections
Connecting, reconnecting, and revoking all require workspace admin permission -- the same tier every other credential-management surface in Mandala uses (Provider Keys, API Keys, Environment Variables). Anyone in the workspace can build workflows that use an already-connected GSTIN; only an admin can add or remove the connection itself.