India's Nov GST Collections Up 0.7% to Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore

India's gross goods and services tax collections for November 2025 rose by a modest 0.7 percent to Rs 1.70 lakh crore, according to government data released on December 1, marking the slowest monthly growth since February 2024. The figure reflects taxes on goods and services consumed during October, the first full month after rate reductions took effect as part of the Next Generation GST reforms.

The subdued increase stems from a 2.3 percent decline in domestic revenues, which fell to Rs 1.24 lakh crore from Rs 1.27 lakh crore a year earlier. This drop follows the government's decision to lower GST rates on 375 items starting September 22, 2025, coinciding with the beginning of the Navratri festival season. Revenues from imported goods provided some offset, climbing 10.2 percent to Rs 45,976 crore, driven by steady external demand. Net GST revenue, after refunds, edged up 1.3 percent to Rs 1.52 lakh crore.

Under the reforms, the GST structure has been simplified to two primary rates of 5 percent and 18 percent, with a 40 percent rate applied to sin goods like tobacco and pan masala, as well as certain ultra-luxury items. The 12 percent rate has been eliminated, and the...