October GST Collections Jump 23% to Over ₹2.31 Lakh Crore, Imports Boost Growth

GST collections surged 23% in October, reaching over ₹2.31 lakh crore, according to government data released on 1 November 2026. The rise came from a 16% jump in domestic sales, which pushed gross GST from internal transactions to over ₹1.59 lakh crore. Imports added further strength, with GST revenue from foreign goods climbing 42% to ₹72,246 crore. The total figure breaks down into a Central GST mop‑up of ₹42,935 crore, State GST of ₹51,340 crore and Integrated GST exceeding ₹1.37 lakh crore. Refunds also rose, with GST refunds up 6.5% year‑on‑year to ₹27,934 crore for the month. After deducting refunds, net GST collections rose 26% to more than ₹2.03 lakh crore in October. Over the April‑October stretch, gross GST collections grew 13.2% to over ₹14.77 lakh crore, while net collections increased 13% to above ₹12.69 lakh crore. The data reflects a broad‑based recovery in both domestic consumption and import activity, signaling steady tax‑base expansion.

Context

GST is India’s unified tax system, and a rise in collections usually indicates higher economic activity. The strong import‑related GST suggests increased foreign trade, while the higher refunds point to greater compliance and processing efficiency.