> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.sandbox.co.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Enable API Access

> Enable API access on the GST Portal before generating a GST taxpayer access token.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Prerequisites:** You must have an active GST account and access to the [GST Portal](https://www.gst.gov.in/).

## Enable API Access

To create a GST taxpayer session, first enable API access on the GST Portal. Complete the following steps.

#### 1. Log in to GST Account

Navigate to [gst.gov.in](https://www.gst.gov.in/) and log in with your GST username and password.

#### 2. Click on View Profile

From the Dashboard, click on **View Profile** to access your account settings.

#### 3. Navigate to Manage API Access

In the **Quick Links** section of the left sidebar, locate and click on **Manage API Access**.

#### 4. Enable API Request

Toggle the **Enable API Request** setting to **Yes** to activate API access for your GST account.

#### 5. Set Duration

Select **30 days** as the **Duration** for your API access.

After API access is enabled, use the [Generate Taxpayer Session](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/recipes/gst/authentication/generate_tax_payer_session.md) recipe for the full token flow.

1. [Authenticate](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/authenticate.md) to get the Sandbox access token.
2. [Generate OTP](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/gst/compliance/endpoints/taxpayer/authentication/generate_otp.md) for the GST user.
3. [Verify OTP](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/gst/compliance/endpoints/taxpayer/authentication/verify_otp.md) to get the taxpayer access token.
4. [Refresh Session](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/gst/compliance/endpoints/taxpayer/authentication/refresh_session.md) before expiry, if needed.

## Session

An authenticated session is valid for **6 hours** and can be [refreshed](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/gst/compliance/endpoints/taxpayer/authentication/refresh_session.md) before expiry till the duration set on the GST Portal per the above steps.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Note:** After the GST Portal access duration ends, or if the token is not refreshed before expiry, complete OTP verification again to start a new authenticated session.


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