Payment gateway approval: a checklist for Indian online stores

Your store can be beautifully designed and fully stocked, but without an approved payment gateway it cannot take money. Approval delays are one of the most common reasons launches slip.

The good news is that gateways mostly check the same things. Prepare them in advance and approval is usually straightforward. Exact requirements vary by provider and business type, so always confirm with your chosen gateway, but this checklist covers what is typically asked for.

Business documents

Have clear scans or photos ready of:

• PAN of the business (or of the proprietor, for sole proprietorships)
• Proof of business registration, for example a certificate of incorporation, partnership deed, or registration under the Shops and Establishments Act, depending on your business type
• GST certificate, if your business is registered for GST
• Bank account details, usually with a cancelled cheque or bank statement in the business name
• Identity and address proof of the authorised signatory or directors

Make sure the business name matches across your documents, bank account and website. Mismatches are a frequent cause of rejection.

Website pages gateways look for

Gateways review your website to confirm you are a genuine business selling something legitimate. Before you apply, your site should have:

• Products or services with clear prices. Reviewers need to see what customers are paying for.
• Contact details: a business email, phone number and address that customers can find easily.
• An About page explaining who you are.
• Shipping and delivery policy: where you deliver, how long it takes, and what it costs.
• Returns, refunds and cancellations policy: when customers can cancel, return or get a refund, and how long refunds take.
• Privacy policy explaining how you handle customer data.
• Terms and conditions for using your website and buying from you.

Policies should describe how your business actually works, not generic text copied from another site. Reviewers notice.

Store readiness

• The website should be live and working, not a "coming soon" page.
• Checkout should be complete up to the payment step.
• Product descriptions should match what your documents say your business does.
• Your domain should be your own, with a secure (https) connection.

Common reasons for delays

• Policy pages missing or hard to find
• Business name or category on the website not matching documents
• Products that fall into restricted categories for that gateway
• Incomplete or unclear document uploads
• No visible contact details

After approval

Once you are approved, test thoroughly before launch:

1. Run real transactions with every payment method you plan to offer, such as UPI, cards, net banking and wallets.
2. Test a refund from start to finish.
3. Check that order confirmation emails and messages go out correctly.
4. Confirm settlement timings so you know when money reaches your account.

Let us handle it

Payment gateway setup is part of every online store we build. We help you choose a gateway, prepare the pages reviewers look for, connect and test every payment method, and set up shipping and notifications alongside. See our e-commerce development service or start a conversation.