Gross GST Collections Rise 14.8% to Nearly Rs 2 Lakh Crore in August 2026

India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 14.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.998 lakh crore in August 2026, compared with Rs 1.74 lakh crore in August 2025, according to government data released on September 1. The latest increase marks the third consecutive month of double-digit growth, following a 13.9 per cent rise in June and 15.4 per cent growth in July.

Imports Drive Growth in Gross GST Collections

Higher GST revenue from imports was the key driver of the increase. Import-related GST collections surged 29 per cent year-on-year to Rs 62,604 crore in August from Rs 48,546 crore a year earlier. Meanwhile, GST revenue from domestic transactions rose 9.3 per cent to more than Rs 1.37 lakh crore from Rs 1.26 lakh crore in August 2025.

Gross Central GST collection stood at Rs 38,413 crore, while State GST collection was Rs 46,316 crore. Integrated GST collections stood at more than Rs 1.15 lakh crore.

Net GST Collections Rise 8.3 per cent

Despite strong gross collections, net GST revenue grew at a slower pace due to a sharp increase in refunds. Total GST refunds jumped 68 per cent year-on-year to Rs 31,795 crore in August from Rs 18,935 crore in the same month last year. Domestic refunds increased 72.6 per cent, while export GST refunds processed through ICEGATE rose 61.8 per cent.

Consequently, net GST collections increased 8.3 per cent to Rs 1.68 lakh crore in August, compared with Rs 1.55 lakh crore a year earlier. Net domestic revenue grew 3.4 per cent to Rs 1.19 lakh crore, while net customs GST collections increased 22.3 per cent to Rs 49,299 crore.

GST Collections Rise 11 per cent in April-August

During the first five months of FY27, gross GST collections increased 11 per cent to Rs 10.43 lakh crore from Rs 9.40 lakh crore during the corresponding period last year. Domestic gross GST revenue grew 5.3 per cent, while revenue from imports surged 27.3 per cent.

Net GST revenue during April-August rose 9 per cent to Rs 8.90 lakh crore. Over the same period, cumulative GST refunds increased 23.8 per cent to Rs 1.53 lakh crore.

Maharashtra GST Collections Rise 8 per cent

Among major states, Uttar Pradesh recorded a 19 per cent increase in domestic GST collections in August, followed by Telangana at 16 per cent, Gujarat at 15 per cent, Karnataka and Kerala at 13 per cent each, and Haryana and Punjab at 12 per cent each.

Maharashtra, the country's largest contributor, reported an 8 per cent rise in GST collections to Rs 28,779 crore. Tamil Nadu's collections declined 1 per cent, while Odisha and Andhra Pradesh recorded declines of 7 per cent each. Rajasthan and Goa registered a 2 per cent decline. Assam recorded an unusually sharp 162 per cent increase.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.