New Delhi: India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 14.7% year-on-year to ₹2.04 lakh crore in September 2026, according to government data released on Thursday. The increase marks another month of double-digit growth in GST revenue and takes the gross collection for the first half of the financial year to more than ₹12.46 lakh crore.

The September collection stood at around ₹2,03,521 crore, compared with the corresponding period a year earlier. Growth was supported by both domestic GST receipts and revenue collected from imports, with import-related GST recording a particularly strong increase during the month.

The figures provide an indication of continued momentum in tax collections during the first six months of 2026-27, even as the government continues to monitor economic activity and external risks.

Domestic GST revenue rises 10.1%

Gross domestic GST collections stood at ₹1.38 lakh crore in September, registering a 10.1% increase compared with the same month last year.

Revenue from imports recorded a considerably faster increase. Import-related GST collections rose 25.9% year-on-year to ₹65,525 crore during September. The stronger growth in import-related receipts contributed significantly to the overall increase in gross GST collections.

The figures also show the different components contributing to the monthly tax revenue. Integrated GST collections were around ₹1.20 lakh crore, while Central GST and State GST collections stood at ₹37,762 crore and ₹45,363 crore, respectively.

Net GST revenue rises 18.1%

After accounting for refunds, the government’s net GST revenue recorded an even faster increase.

Net GST collections rose 18.1% year-on-year to ₹1.77 lakh crore in September. The stronger growth in net collections was partly supported by a decline in GST refunds during the month.

GST refunds stood at ₹27,001 crore, down 3% from the year-earlier period. A lower refund outgo compared with the previous year meant that a larger proportion of the gross collection remained with the government as net revenue.

The distinction between gross and net GST collections is important when assessing the government’s actual tax receipts. Gross collections represent the total tax collected before refunds, while net collections take those refunds into account.

April-September GST collections cross ₹12.46 lakh crore

The strong September numbers have also lifted cumulative GST collections for the first half of the financial year.

Between April and September 2026, India’s gross GST collection increased 11.6% year-on-year to more than ₹12.46 lakh crore. Net GST collections during the same six-month period rose 10.4% to over ₹10.66 lakh crore.

The cumulative figures provide a broader picture of GST revenue performance than any single month’s collection. The sustained increase also reflects the continued importance of GST as a major source of indirect tax revenue for the Centre and states.

September’s growth was particularly notable because gross GST collections once again crossed the ₹2 lakh crore mark, while net collections remained well above ₹1.7 lakh crore.

Maharashtra leads state-wise GST collections

Among individual states, Maharashtra recorded the highest GST collection at ₹29,986 crore in September, according to the latest data.

Karnataka followed with around ₹13,884 crore, while Gujarat recorded approximately ₹12,222 crore. Several other major states also reported strong year-on-year growth in GST collections during the month.

The state-wise numbers reflect the contribution of large manufacturing, services, consumption and trading centres to India’s indirect tax revenues.

What the September GST numbers indicate

The rise in GST collections comes amid continued growth in domestic economic activity and trade. Higher tax receipts can reflect a combination of increased consumption, stronger business turnover, import activity and improved compliance.

However, GST collections alone do not provide a complete measure of economic growth. Monthly receipts can also be influenced by the timing of transactions, imports, refunds and other tax-related factors.

The September data nevertheless show that GST revenue maintained a strong growth trajectory during the first half of FY27. Gross collections for April-September were up 11.6%, while September alone recorded a 14.7% year-on-year increase.

The data will also be closely watched ahead of the next GST Council meeting, where further discussions on simplifying compliance and GST-related procedures are expected. Recent proposals have included measures aimed at easing registration, refunds, input tax credit processes and penalties.

For now, the September figures point to sustained growth in India’s GST revenue base, with both domestic collections and imports contributing to the increase.