India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections once again crossed the Rs 2 lakh crore mark in September, rising 14.7% year-on-year to Rs 2.04 lakh crore, according to government data. The increase was driven by higher revenue from both domestic transactions and imports.Revenue from domestic transactions grew 10.1% to Rs 1.38 lakh crore in September 2026, compared with Rs 1.25 lakh crore in the corresponding month last year. GST revenue from imports, meanwhile, rose 25.9% year-on-year to Rs 65,525 crore from Rs 52,031 crore.Gross Integrated GST (IGST) collections increased to Rs 1.20 lakh crore during the month, against Rs 1.02 lakh crore in September 2025. Central GST collections stood at Rs 37,762 crore, while State GST collections were at Rs 45,363 crore.The rise in gross collections came even as GST refunds declined during the month. Total refunds stood at Rs 27,001 crore in September, down 3% from Rs 27,848 crore a year earlier.According to Abhishek Jain, indirect tax head & partner at KPMG, the growth in GST collections is encouraging, but the sharp rise in import GST needs to be examined further.“Gross GST collections growing 14.7% in September despite global headwinds is very encouraging. As import GST is up nearly 26%; it’s important to see how much of that is raw materials versus finished goods.”Jain further added, “It’ll be good to analyse this in detail, specifically if it signals already stronger domestic manufacturing or there is a need for further push, thereby making stronger the case for continuing and expanding schemes like PLI.”Domestic refunds fell 13.5% year-on-year to Rs 13,504 crore. In contrast, export GST refunds processed through ICEGATE rose 10.2% to Rs 13,497 crore.With refunds taken into account, net GST collections grew faster than gross collections. Net revenue rose 18.1% year-on-year to Rs 1.77 lakh crore in September, compared with Rs 1.50 lakh crore in September 2025.Net domestic GST revenue increased 13.5% to Rs 1.24 lakh crore, while net revenue from customs-related GST jumped 30.8% to Rs 52,028 crore.The September figures also pushed up the GST collection tally for the first six months of the financial year. Between April and September, gross GST collections rose 11.6% to Rs 12.46 lakh crore, compared with Rs 11.17 lakh crore in the same period of 2025-26.Net GST collections during the April-September period increased 10.4% to Rs 10.66 lakh crore from Rs 9.65 lakh crore a year earlier.In terms of states, Maharashtra emerged as the largest contributor among the states listed, recording GST revenue of Rs 29,986 crore in September, a 15% year-on-year increase. Karnataka’s collections rose 16% to Rs 13,884 crore, while Gujarat recorded Rs 12,222 crore, up 17%.Uttar Pradesh and Telangana both registered 18% growth in GST revenue during the month. Uttar Pradesh collected Rs 8,882 crore, while Telangana recorded Rs 5,327 crore.
