GST Collections Near ₹2 Lakh Crore Mark
India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 14.8% year-on-year to ₹1,99,853 crore in August, according to official data released on September 1. The figure is close to the ₹2 lakh crore milestone, reflecting continued strength in domestic consumption and higher import revenues.
Gross GST revenue from domestic transactions grew 9.3% to ₹1,37,249 crore, while revenue from imports jumped 29% to ₹62,604 crore compared with the same month last year. The Central GST (CGST) collection stood at ₹38,413 crore, State GST (SGST) at ₹46,316 crore, and Integrated GST (IGST) at over ₹1.15 lakh crore.
After accounting for refunds, net GST revenue for the month was ₹1,68,057 crore, an 8.3% increase from ₹1,55,181 crore in August 2025.
Refunds Surge 68%
GST refunds increased sharply to ₹31,795 crore in August, a 68% jump from ₹18,935 crore in the same month last year. Domestic refunds rose 72.6% to ₹18,490 crore, while import-related refunds surged 61.8% to ₹13,305 crore.
Vivek Jalan, Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP, attributed the sharp rise in domestic refunds to inverted duty structures. He noted that while imports have grown strongly, India needs robust exports to fully leverage imported raw materials for manufacturing, aligning with the vision of 'Make for India, Make for the World'.
Experts See Economic Resilience
Abhishek Jain, Partner and National Head of Indirect Tax at KPMG in India, said the 14.8% growth in GST collections adds to the positive economic backdrop following 7.8% GDP growth in the first quarter. "This collectively shows the robustness of the Indian economy despite geo-political conflicts and global economic uncertainty," Jain said.
Jalan observed that August collections reflected continued strength in domestic consumption, while the August 31 statutory time-barring deadline also supported compliance and revenue inflows.
Year-to-Date Trends and GST Council Meeting
On a year-to-date basis (April–August), total gross GST revenue stood at ₹10,42,757 crore, up 11% from ₹9,39,724 crore in the corresponding period last year. Total net GST revenue increased 9% to ₹8,89,523 crore.
Jalan noted that GST buoyancy year-to-date is around 0.7, below unity, as net GST revenue growth of 9.0% trails real GDP growth of 7.8% and nominal GDP growth of 10.3%. He expressed expectation that with the ensuing festive season, buoyancy would move towards unity.
The 57th meeting of the GST Council is slated to take place from 11 am on September 12 in New Delhi, according to an office memorandum issued by the GST Council Secretariat. Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the meeting will consider several proposals for ease of compliance and review the impact of rate rationalization.
The GST Council's 56th meeting, held on September 3, 2025, had announced a simplified two-slab GST structure of 5% and 18%, with a special rate of 40% for luxury and sin goods, effective September 22.