New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 22.9% year-on-year to Rs.2.31 lakh crore in October, the second-highest monthly collection since the tax regime was launched in July 2017, driven by strong growth in import-linked revenue. Gross GST collections stood at Rs.2,31,290 crore in October 2026, compared with Rs.1,88,125 crore in October 2025, excluding compensation cess, according to government data released on Sunday. The collections reflect transactions undertaken in September. On a comparable basis, October's collection was the second-highest ever, after the Rs.2,42,702 crore recorded in April 2026. While April 2025 collections were higher at Rs.2,36,716 crore before adjustment, they stood at Rs.2,23,265 crore after deducting Rs.13,451 crore in compensation cess. The cess was levied under the earlier GST regime but is no longer part of collections. Import-linked GST collections led the growth, rising 42.2% year-on-year to Rs.72,246 crore. Collections from domestic transactions grew 15.8% to Rs.1,59,044 crore. P9...