New Delhi, Sept. 2 -- India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 14.8% year-on-year to nearly Rs.2 lakh crore in August, driven by strong growth in import-linked tax revenue, government data released on Tuesday showed. Gross GST collections stood at Rs.1,99,853 crore in August 2026, compared with Rs.1,74,116 crore in August 2025. The collections reflect transactions undertaken in July. Import-linked GST collections grew 29% from a year earlier to Rs.62,604 crore, while domestic GST collections rose 9.3% to Rs.1,37,249 crore, the data showed. The stronger growth in import-linked GST collections may reflect higher imports of inputs used in manufacturing rather than consumption alone, experts said. "The uptick in exports across electronics, mobile phones and automotives is a positive validation of the government's manufacturing-focused policy interventions, signalling that India's positioning in global value chains is strengthening," said Saurabh Agarwal, tax partner at EY India. Net GST collections, after refunds of Rs.31,795 crore, stood at Rs.1,68,057 crore in August, up 8.3% from Rs.1,55,181 crore in the same month last year. Refunds rose about 68% to Rs.31,795 crore from Rs.18,935 crore in August 2025. Experts said monthly GST collections have now stabilised around Rs.2 lakh crore following the rate rationalisation announced in September last year, shifting attention towards process simplification and ease of doing business. At its 56th meeting on September 3, 2025, the GST Council announced a simplified two-slab structure of 5% and 18%, along with a special 40% rate for luxury and sin goods, effective September 22. "Considering the fact that the collections have shown a marked increase month on month despite the rate reductions in September 2025, the GST Council should consider further easing of the input tax credit restrictions, audit rationalisation and reducing the compliance burden. This would enable businesses to perform better in an increasingly competitive and complex operating environment," said MS Mani,partner at Deloitte India. The GST Council is expected to meet in New Delhi on September 12, government officials said. The meeting, the first in a year, is expected to consider several proposals aimed at easing compliance and may also review the impact of the rate rationalisation, they said, requesting anonymity. The GST Council is the apex federal body for matters relating to GST, chaired by the Union finance minister and comprising finance ministers of the states. "A strong 14.8% growth in overall GST collections has added to the cheer of 7.8% growth in GDP in Q1," said Abhishek Jain, partner and national head, Indirect Tax, at KPMG in India....