GST Collections Up 3.2% to ₹1.94 Lakh Crore in May; Underlying Momentum Remains Robust, Says GTB Expert Manoj Mishra
Gross domestic GST revenue stood at ₹1.35 lakh crore, while GST collections from imports rose 19.1% to ₹59,654 crore, reflecting continued strength in trade activity.
Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat, said the headline growth rate understated the underlying strength of GST collections because of the high base created by the spectrum-related payment in May 2025.
New Delhi, June 1: Gross GST collections rose to ₹1.94 lakh crore in May 2026, registering a year-on-year growth of 3.2% and remaining close to the ₹2 lakh crore mark, according to official data released by the finance ministry. The government said the growth figures were affected by a one-time GST payment of nearly ₹10,000 crore received in May 2025 from spectrum allocation. Excluding this exceptional item, gross GST collections recorded an adjusted growth of 9%, while adjusted net GST revenue grew 10.1%.
Gross domestic GST revenue stood at ₹1.35 lakh crore, while GST collections from imports rose 19.1% to ₹59,654 crore, reflecting continued strength in trade activity. Total gross GST revenue for May reached ₹1,94,184 crore, compared with ₹1,88,172 crore in the corresponding month last year.
After refunds of ₹27,281 crore, net GST collections stood at ₹1,66,904 crore, up 3.3% from a year earlier.
Among major states, Uttar Pradesh recorded the strongest growth at 13%, followed by Haryana at 8% and Telangana at 6%. Collections from Delhi declined 17%, Tamil Nadu 15% and West Bengal 9% during the month.
Expert View
Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat, said the headline growth rate understated the underlying strength of GST collections because of the high base created by the spectrum-related payment in May 2025.
“Adjusting for this exceptional item, gross GST collections have actually grown by 9%, domestic GST revenues by 5%, and net GST collections by over 10%, reflecting continued resilience in the tax ecosystem,” Mishra said.
He added that collections remaining close to the ₹2 lakh crore mark without any extraordinary revenue support demonstrated the growing maturity and stability of the GST regime, while strong import-related revenues pointed to resilient trade activity.
This structure keeps the official GST data as the news and uses the expert quote to provide interpretation and context.
