Import Boosts India’s GST Collection to Record High
01.05.2026
India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection reached a record ₹2.43 lakh crore on April 1, 2026, propelled by a significant rise in imports.
This represents a 25.8% increase in imports compared to the previous year. The GST revenue linked to imports surged by ₹57,580 crore. Last year, in April 2025, the GST collection was ₹2.23 lakh crore.
The domestic revenue also saw growth, with a 4.3% year-on-year increase, totaling ₹1.85 lakh crore. However, signs of softening domestic demand have emerged.
The total refunds issued climbed by 19.3%, reaching ₹31,793 crore. Domestic refunds increased significantly by 54.6%, while export refunds decreased by 14%.
The historical context shows that in April 2022, the GST collection was only ₹1.67 lakh crore. By April 2024, it had risen to ₹2.10 lakh crore.
The ongoing trends indicate that while import trade boosts revenue, concerns about domestic demand may affect future growth.