India’s GST collections increased 14.7% year-on-year to more than Rs 2.03 lakh crore in September 2026, supported by higher revenue from domestic transactions and imports. The latest figures indicate continued growth in tax collections during the first half of the financial year, with gross GST revenue rising 11.6% between April and September.
Key Highlights:
- India's GST collections rose 14.7% year-on-year to over Rs 2.03 lakh crore in September, supported by domestic and import revenues.
- First-half gross GST collections increased 11.6% to Rs 12.46 lakh crore, while net collections grew 10.4% year-on-year.
In September, the gross collections rose but the amount of GST refunds fell 3% to Rs 27,001 crore year-on-year, according to data. Net collection of GST (after refunds) increased 18.1% to over Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
Domestic GST Revenue Rises 10.1% in September
Gross GST revenue from domestic transactions, including imports, increased 10.1% year-on-year to around Rs 1.38 lakh crore in September. GST collections from import linked saw higher growth, growing 26% to Rs 65,525 crore in the month.
The rise in import-related revenue is significant in the backdrop of high energy prices, geopolitical issues and higher prices of commodities traded internationally, said Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat. He warned stronger import-related collections should not be regarded as wholly a reflection of domestic consumption growth.
However, while growth varied across the states, Mishra said several big states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Telangana registered a growth of 15-18% in GST revenues.
Net GST Collections Grow 18.1% After Refunds
The net GST collection growth actually beat the gross collection growth, increasing by 18.1% year-on-year to over Rs 1.76 lakh crore in September. The decrease in refunds also helped lift the net collections.
The amount of refunds for GST declined by 3% YoY to Rs 27,001 crore in the month. The fact that net revenue grew by 14.5% while the domestic refunds fell by 13.5% was also a positive sign for the net revenue.
It is important to differentiate between gross collections and net collections in measuring monthly GST results because refunds will impact the net collections.
Also Read: GST Collections Jump 14.8% YoY to Nearly Rs 2 Trillion in August
H1 Gross GST Collections Cross Rs 12.46 Lakh Crore
Gross GST collections during the April–September period rose 11.6% year-on-year to more than Rs 12.46 lakh crore. Net GST collections increased 10.4% to over Rs 10.66 lakh crore after adjusting for refunds.
The first-half figures indicate that GST revenue maintained double-digit growth during the period. The September increase added to the overall collection growth recorded in the first six months of the financial year.
GST Council Meeting to Focus on Further Reforms
The upcoming 57th GST Council meeting is expected to be significant for the next phase of GST reforms. Mishra said that improvements in input tax credit (ITC), registration, refunds and compliance could reduce procedural challenges for businesses and improve tax efficiency.
He added that the next phase of GST reform would depend not only on tax rate changes but also on making the system easier to navigate for compliant businesses.
The September figures show continued growth in GST collections, supported by domestic and import-linked revenue. The impact of future process reforms and the performance of collections in the coming months will remain important developments for businesses and policymakers.
