The Net Goods and Services Tax collections for January 2026 rose to ₹1.71 lakh crore, marking a 7.6% increase compared to ₹1.59 lakh crore collected in January 2025, according to reports from NDTV Profit. This growth indicates steady economic momentum across the country. However, the collections remained relatively flat sequentially, as the GST mop-up in December 2025 came in at ₹1.74 lakh crore. The positive performance comes amid broader economic optimism, with India's real GDP estimated to grow by 7.4% in FY 2025-26, as reported by the Press Information Bureau.
The gross GST collection in January 2026 grew 6.2% year-on-year to ₹1.82 lakh crore after factoring in refunds issued, as reported by NDTV Profit. Despite the strong annual performance, the gross collections showed a decline from the previous month's gross collection of ₹1.82 lakh crore. Refunds for the month under review fell 3.1% year-on-year to ₹22,665 crore, while net cess revenue in January 2026 fell 55% year-on-year to ₹5,768 crore. The collections reflect the ongoing economic recovery and government's focus on simplifying tax structures, with the Income Tax Act, 2025 to come into effect from 1st April 2026.
According to NDTV Profit reports, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu saw the highest collection in the last month. Other states with high total GST collection included Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and West Bengal. On the other hand, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur were among states with the lowest collection. This distribution pattern reflects varying economic activities across different states and supports the government's 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' approach outlined in Union Budget 2026-27.
For financial year 2026, the government has projected an 11% rise in GST collections, estimating annual revenue of ₹11.78 lakh crore, including Central GST and compensation cess, as reported by NDTV Profit. This projection suggests continued growth momentum in GST collections throughout the fiscal year, building on the positive January performance. The optimistic outlook aligns with the government's 'Viksit Bharat' vision and 'Kartavya of Sab Ka Sath, Sab Ka Vikas' theme emphasized in Union Budget 2026-27.