India GST collections rise 8.1% to Rs 1.83 lakh crore in February 2026; import revenues surge 17.2%

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 8.1 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,83,609 crore in February 2026, signalling steady momentum in economic activity. After adjusting for refunds, net GST revenue stood at Rs 1,61,014 crore, marking a 7.9 per cent annual increase, according to official data released on Sunday. The rise was driven largely by strong growth in tax collections from imports, even as domestic revenues expanded at a moderate pace.

The February numbers come amid improving household spending and resilient GDP growth, reinforcing the government’s view that recent rate rationalisation is supporting demand.

Gross GST at Rs 1.83 Lakh Crore, Net at Rs 1.61 Lakh Crore

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Gross GST collections before refunds stood at Rs 1,83,609 crore in February 2026, up from Rs 1,69,000 crore-plus in the same month last year.

After refunds worth Rs 22,595 crore were issued during the month, net GST collections came in at Rs 1,61,014 crore. This represents a 7.9 per cent year-on-year rise in net revenues for the Centre and states combined.

The government has kept compensation cess proceeds separate for comparison, as the cess was discontinued from February 1 after tobacco - the only item still under it was moved into a new tax regime following rate rationalisation in September 2025. Net cess revenue stood at Rs 5,063 crore, sharply lower than Rs 13,481 crore in February last year.

A closer look at the data shows import-driven growth outpacing domestic collections.

• Gross domestic GST revenue rose 5.3 per cent to Rs 1,35,772 crore in February 2026, compared with Rs 1,28,957 crore a year ago.
• Gross GST from imports jumped 17.2 per cent to Rs 47,837 crore, up from Rs 40,821 crore last year.

On a net basis, domestic GST revenue increased 6.2 per cent to Rs 1,25,833 crore, while net revenue from customs-linked GST rose 14.2 per cent to Rs 35,181 crore.

The sharper rise in import collections suggests resilient trade flows and improved compliance, even as global economic conditions remain uncertain.

Total refunds during February stood at Rs 22,595 crore, up 10.2 per cent from Rs 20,500 crore in the year-ago period.

Domestic refunds declined 5.3 per cent to Rs 9,939 crore. However, import-related refunds rose 26.5 per cent to Rs 12,656 crore, with more than half of total refunds going to exporters.

The faster pace of refund processing follows the GST Council’s decision in September 2025 to streamline procedures and improve ease of doing business.

For the financial year up to February 2026, total gross GST collections reached Rs 20,27,033 crore, reflecting an 8.3 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.

Net GST collections of the Centre and states, excluding cess proceeds, stood at Rs 17.46 lakh crore till February-end, marking a 6.9 per cent annual rise.

State-wise data shows pre-settlement State GST collections rising 5 per cent year-on-year in February. Large states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh recorded notable gains during the month. On a cumulative basis, pre-settlement SGST collections have grown 7 per cent so far this financial year.

The GST numbers align with broader economic indicators. Official data released last week showed private final consumption expenditure growing 8.7 per cent in the December quarter of FY26, higher than 8 per cent in the previous quarter and 6 per cent in the same period last year.

India’s economy is estimated to have grown 7.8 per cent in the December quarter, with full-year FY26 real GDP growth revised upwards to 7.6 per cent.