GST collections rise 6.5% in August, cross Rs 1.86 lakh crore; Eighth straight month above Rs 1.8 lakh crore

India’s GST collections touched Rs 1.86 lakh crore in August 2025, a 6.5 percent rise compared to the same month last year, according to official data released on September 1. This marks the eighth straight month that revenues have exceeded the Rs 1.8 lakh crore threshold, reflecting steady economic activity and resilient domestic demand despite global headwinds.

Gross domestic GST revenue expanded 9.6 percent to Rs 1.37 lakh crore, while tax receipts from imports registered a marginal decline of 1.2 percent to Rs 49,354 crore. Refund outgoes fell sharply by 20 percent year-on-year to Rs 19,359 crore, helping boost net collections, which climbed 10.7 percent to Rs 1.67 lakh crore.

All four components of GST, Central GST, State GST, Integrated GST, and cess, witnessed year-on-year growth in August.

April-August FY26 collections: Rs 10 lakh crore, up 9.9 percent from Rs 9.13 lakh crore a year ago.

GST revenue trend: from Rs 11.37 lakh crore in FY21 to Rs 22.08 lakh crore in FY25, with average monthly collections of Rs 1.84 lakh crore in FY25, the highest since the system’s rollout in July 2017.

The timing of the August figures is significant, coming just ahead of the GST Council meeting scheduled for September 3-4 in New Delhi. The Centre and states are expected to deliberate on rate rationalisation, including proposals to:

1. Move most goods into a simplified two-slab structure of 5 percent and 18 percent.
2. Impose a higher 40 percent rate on “sin goods” such as cigarettes, tobacco, and sugary beverages.

This restructuring, if approved, would mark one of the most ambitious reforms since GST was introduced.

The sustained buoyancy in collections has given a fiscal cushion to the government, strengthening India’s position amid global uncertainties.

Morgan Stanley revision: The global investment bank recently revised its FY26 GDP growth forecast to 6.7 percent from 6.2 percent , citing strong tax receipts, robust Q1 GDP growth of 7.8 percent , and resilient consumption.

The firm noted that festive season demand and rural recovery, coupled with possible GST cuts, may help offset external challenges, including weaker exports due to higher US tariffs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day address, hinted at the possibility of “next-gen GST reforms” to be rolled out by Diwali 2025. The upcoming GST Council meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for these measures, which are aimed at further simplifying compliance, broadening the tax base, and reducing litigation.

With GST collections holding strong for eight months in a row, policymakers are entering the September Council session from a position of strength. The reforms under discussion, particularly the rationalisation of rates, could reshape the GST framework ahead of the festive season and provide further momentum to India’s growth story.