The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection for April reached a record Rs 2,42,702 crore, marking an 8.7% increase compared to the previous year. Net GST revenue stood at Rs 2,10,909 crore, showing a 7.3% growth after refunds were factored in. Total refunds saw a significant 19.3% rise to Rs 31,793 crore, impacting the net GST revenue for the month.
The growth in GST collection was driven by robust import-linked revenues. Gross import revenue surged by 25.8% to Rs 57,580 crore, while gross domestic revenue increased by 4.3% to Rs 1.85 lakh crore. In comparison, March witnessed a total gross GST collection exceeding Rs 2 lakh crore, an 8.8% growth from the same period last year, with the total gross GST revenue surpassing Rs 1.83 lakh crore.
For the fiscal year 2025-26, gross GST collections expanded by 8.3% to Rs 22.27 lakh crore, indicating a resilient economic activity amidst global uncertainties. The net GST revenue for the fiscal year stood at Rs 19.34 lakh crore, showing a 7.1% rise over the previous fiscal year. Refunds in March increased by 13.8% to Rs 22,074 crore, with domestic refunds notably rising by 31.2%, reflecting enhanced compliance and faster processing.
Cess collections witnessed a sharp decline in April, turning negative at Rs (-177) crore, mainly due to higher refunds and adjustments. Experts suggest that the GST collections in FY26 mirror strong tax buoyancy aligned with India’s estimated GDP growth of around 7%, highlighting the correlation between increased consumption, expanding imports, and improved compliance.
