Summary:
India’s gross GST collections rose 14.8% year on year to nearly ₹2 lakh crore in August 2026, marking the third consecutive month of double-digit growth. Higher GST revenue from imports was the key growth driver, while domestic collections increased at a slower pace. Net GST collections grew 8.3% to ₹1.68 lakh crore as refunds surged 68%. For April-August, gross GST collections rose 11% to ₹10.43 lakh crore, highlighting continued strength in tax revenues.
India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 14.8% year-on-year to ₹1.998 lakh crore in August 2026, compared with ₹1.74 lakh crore in August 2025, according to government data released on September 1. The latest growth marks the third consecutive month of double-digit expansion, following a 13.9% rise in June and 15.4% growth in July.
Imports Drive Growth in Gross GST Collections
The key driver of the increase was higher GST revenue from imports, which surged 29% year-on-year to ₹62,604 crore in August from ₹48,546 crore a year earlier. In comparison, GST revenue from domestic transactions increased 9.3% to over ₹1.37 lakh crore from ₹1.26 lakh crore.
The data indicates that stronger import-related collections provided a significant boost to overall GST revenue during the month. Gross Central GST collection stood at ₹38,413 crore, while State GST collection was ₹46,316 crore. Integrated GST collections stood at over ₹1.15 lakh crore.
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Net GST Collections Rise 8.3%
Despite strong gross collections, net GST revenue grew at a slower pace due to a sharp increase in refunds. Total GST refunds jumped 68% year-on-year to ₹31,795 crore in August from ₹18,935 crore in the same month last year. Domestic refunds increased 72.6%, while export GST refunds processed through ICEGATE rose 61.8%.
Consequently, net GST collections increased 8.3% to ₹1.68 lakh crore in August, compared with ₹1.55 lakh crore a year earlier. Net domestic revenue grew 3.4% to ₹1.19 lakh crore, while net customs GST collections increased 22.3% to ₹49,299 crore.
GST Collections Up 11% in April-August
For the first five months of FY27, gross GST collections increased 11% to ₹10.43 lakh crore from ₹9.40 lakh crore during the corresponding period last year. Domestic gross GST revenue grew 5.3%, while revenue from imports surged 27.3%.
Net GST revenue during April-August rose 9% to ₹8.90 lakh crore. During the same period, cumulative GST refunds increased 23.8% to ₹1.53 lakh crore.
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Maharashtra GST Collections Rise 8%
Among major states, Uttar Pradesh recorded a 19% increase in domestic GST collections in August, followed by Telangana at 16%, Gujarat at 15%, Karnataka and Kerala at 13% each, and Haryana and Punjab at 12% each.
Maharashtra, the country's largest contributor, reported an 8% rise in GST collections to ₹28,779 crore. Tamil Nadu's collections declined 1%, while Odisha and Andhra Pradesh recorded declines of 7% each. Rajasthan and Goa registered a 2% decline. Assam recorded an unusually sharp 162% increase.
