The Finance Ministry highlighted the pivotal role of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics in enhancing Goods and Services Tax (GST) administration. These technologies aid in detecting potential tax evasion and reducing compliance burdens for honest taxpayers. By deploying these technologies in critical processes such as GST registration and scrutiny, authorities can analyze data patterns and identify risk indicators, focusing enforcement efforts on high-risk taxpayers while simplifying regulatory requirements for compliant businesses.
Reflecting on the evolution of GST over the past nine years, the ministry emphasized the increasing adoption of technology in transitioning the indirect tax system towards a data-driven and technology-led administration. The number of GST-registered taxpayers has surged from 66.5 lakh in 2017 to 1.65 crore as of May 2026, showcasing the expansion of the formal economy.
GST collections have demonstrated consistent growth, with gross GST revenue rising from around Rs 7.4 lakh crore in 2017-18 to Rs 22.27 lakh crore in 2025-26. Notably, during the initial two months of the current financial year, April and May, GST collections reached Rs 4.37 lakh crore, underscoring the tax regime’s revenue performance.
Introduced on July 1, 2017, GST replaced a convoluted indirect tax structure with a unified tax regime, streamlining 17 central and state taxes and 13 cesses. The reform aimed to establish a common national market under the “one nation, one tax” framework, following extensive consultations between the Centre and states.
The Finance Ministry emphasized that the increased utilization of advanced technologies has enhanced tax administration efficiency, contributing to broader macroeconomic stability. By leveraging technology-driven monitoring, tax collections have become more predictable, supporting revenue buoyancy and bolstering fiscal transparency.
