Recipient-generated e-invoicing under reverse charge enables eligible taxpayers to obtain IRNs for domestic unregistered supplies and imported services.
Eligible active registered recipients meeting the applicable aggregate annual turnover threshold may report recipient-generated self-invoices for specified reverse-charge domestic supplies from unregistered persons and imports of services. RCMDOM and RCMIMP must be selected as the relevant e-invoice supply types when reporting through an authorised Invoice Registration Portal. Submission and validation of prescribed invoice particulars would generate an Invoice Reference Number, subject to applicable GST provisions, notifications and e-invoice specifications.

GST annual return filing requires prior GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing before access to annual return forms.
GSTR-9/9C annual return filing for FY 2025-26 is enabled on the GST portal from 8 October 2026. Access to the annual-return filing tile requires filing all GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns for the relevant financial year. Taxpayers requiring filing assistance may submit a support ticket through the GSTN helpdesk.

Automated GST registration and refunds streamline compliance through risk-based processing, electronic verification, and limited officer intervention.
GST refund administration is proposed to use phased risk-based system processing, with acknowledgement or deficiency action within ten days, deemed acknowledgement on inaction, automated provisional refund for eligible low-risk zero-rated and inverted-duty claims, and fully automated refund of excess electronic cash-ledger balances. Validation failures require correction and fresh filing or referral for officer scrutiny, while final scrutiny remains applicable in specified cases. Applicants must file all due returns and submit supporting material electronically. Delayed-refund interest applies beyond the statutory period, and eligible input-service and capital-goods credit is proposed to be included in prescribed refund computations.

Bribery allegations involving tax enforcement powers led to arrest during an alleged acceptance of undue advantage.
Bribery allegations concern a CGST Superintendent accused of demanding a monthly undue advantage from a scrap-business proprietor in exchange for not intercepting scrap vehicles or obstructing the business. A criminal case was registered, and a trap operation resulted in the Superintendent being apprehended while allegedly accepting the demanded undue advantage. Searches recovered cash and immovable-property documents, and the investigation remains ongoing.

GST process reforms propose automated registration, refunds and return corrections while easing enforcement, credit access and trade compliance.
GST process reforms propose automated registration, registration amendments and cancellation, return reconciliation, input tax credit correction, and phased system-based refund processing. Standardised demand notices and adjudication safeguards are proposed alongside lower penalties, capped penalty-only appeal pre-deposits, withdrawal of arrest powers and narrowed prosecution provisions. Input tax credit reforms would expand refunds and remove specified blocked-credit restrictions, while export measures would broaden zero-rated and export-of-services eligibility. Goods interception would be intelligence-based and authorised, with further compliance relief for small taxpayers and targeted classification, exemption and reverse-charge measures.

Index of Services Production expansion proposes broader service-sector coverage through education, health, residential care, public administration and defence.
The Index of Services Production is proposed to expand beyond its initial formal-sector coverage, which relies on high-frequency administrative data and GST outward-supplies data. Education, Human Health and Residential Care, and Public Administration and Defence are proposed for inclusion. Their incorporation would increase coverage of services-sector Gross Value Added and support aggregation of sub-sectoral indices into a unified measure of short-term services-sector movements. Stakeholder views are invited on the proposed methodology.

Multistate GST registration enables normal taxpayers to submit common information once for simultaneous State and UT applications.
Multistate Registration enables normal taxpayers seeking GST registration under the same PAN in more than one State or Union Territory to apply simultaneously. A Master TRN is generated after selection of the intended jurisdictions and must be submitted with Common Registration Information. Individual TRNs are then generated for each selected jurisdiction, with common information auto-populated and editable. Applicants must provide principal and additional places of business, State-specific information, and Aadhaar authentication.

GST revenue accounting distinguishes gross collections, refunds, net domestic and customs revenue, and SGST-IGST settlement reporting.
Gross GST revenue for September 2026 distinguishes domestic collections and IGST on imports; after domestic and ICEGATE refund adjustments, net revenue is calculated separately for domestic and customs GST. Cumulative collections through September similarly distinguish gross receipts, refunds and net revenue. SGST reporting compares pre-settlement receipts with post-settlement amounts that include the SGST portion of IGST settled to States and Union Territories. State and Union Territory revenue comparisons exclude GST on imported goods, while April-September domestic collections are split between Central and State formations.

Trader welfare policy discussions covered GST reform, digital commerce, finance access, export promotion, and coordinated institutional support.
Deliberations covered GST rationalisation, refund delays, audit duration, amnesty schemes, input tax credit anomalies and pending appeals, alongside proposed inclusion of traders in MSME facilitation committees, a centralised loan portal with a 30-day timeline, CIBIL score reforms and grievance helplines. Trader welfare measures considered timely contractor payments, safeguards against technical penalties, loan-repayment flexibility during lean periods and stronger Centre-State coordination.

Digital warehousing controls propose electronic tracking, secure transport, monthly returns, and risk-based compliance verification for warehoused goods.
Draft Warehousing Operations Regulations, 2026 would require public and private warehouse licensees to use the electronic portal and a digital warehouse management system for receipt, storage, transfers, removals and accounting of warehoused goods. Transport would generally require a one-time-lock and transit-risk insurance, subject to specified exemptions. Licensees would verify locks and goods, report discrepancies, maintain auditable electronic records, submit monthly returns, and permit removals for home consumption or export only upon electronic clearance orders. Non-confirmation, discrepancies and contraventions would trigger information demands, risk-based verification and action under the Customs Act.

Merchant discount rate on UPI merchant payments may be treated as a taxable payment settlement service with input credit availability.
GST treatment of MDR charged on UPI merchant payments above Rs 2,000 is to be considered by the GST Council. The MDR framework imposes a merchant-borne charge for payment processing and settlement. As these activities are services, MDR may attract GST at 18 per cent, subject to the Council's view. Merchants paying GST on MDR may claim input tax credit, potentially reducing their net tax burden.

GST bribery investigation concerns alleged illegal gratification sought to resolve quarry firm's tax and royalty proceedings.
GST-related corruption allegations concern an alleged demand for illegal gratification from a stone-quarrying firm to resolve GST and royalty proceedings. A Customs House Agent was apprehended in a trap operation while allegedly accepting the negotiated amount on behalf of a CGST Superintendent and an Additional Commissioner. Custody proceedings involved written communication of arrest grounds and intimation to relevant family members and advocates.

Digital signature compatibility requires updated signing software for newly issued tokens, while functioning existing certificates remain usable until expiry.
Digital-signature users with tokens issued on or after 21 September 2026 must install emSigner v3.3, while users whose existing certificates and tokens function normally may retain their current version. Version 3.3 supports existing tokens and is required where signing fails or certificates cannot be selected despite correctly installed drivers. Certificates downloaded to FIPS 140-2 dongles on or before that date remain valid until expiry; later renewal or fresh issuance generally requires FIPS 140-3 dongles, subject to specified exceptions.

Fraudulent input tax credit claims through bogus invoices prompted arrest over alleged invoicing without actual supply of goods.
Alleged fraudulent availment, utilisation and passing on of inadmissible input tax credit involved invoices from purported suppliers found to be non-existent, non-functional, suspended or cancelled. Input tax credit was allegedly claimed without actual receipt of goods and passed on through invoices unsupported by corresponding supplies. Following investigation and recorded statements, the proprietor of an iron and steel trading firm was arrested under statutory arrest powers, while further investigation remains in progress.

Merchant discount rate on eligible UPI payments places charges on merchants while preserving consumer protections and small merchant exemptions.
Merchant Discount Rate at 0.4 per cent will apply from October 15 to person-to-merchant UPI payments above Rs 2,000, payable by merchants and subject to a cap for high-value transactions. Individual transfers and most everyday merchant payments remain free, while eligible small QR-code merchants are exempt. Essential-service payments and capital-market transactions receive separate fee treatment, and a portion of MDR collections will support small-merchant UPI adoption.

GST-compliant festive planning helps apparel businesses protect input tax credit, manage price thresholds, inventory, cash flow and peak-season operations.
GST-sensitive festive planning for apparel businesses requires early procurement, phased inventory, supplier reorder commitments and separate stock strategies for the post-Diwali wedding season. Pricing and costing require assessment of the revised GST structure for readymade garments and GST-rate reductions affecting man-made fibres and yarns. Proper purchase documentation is important for protecting input tax credit during high-volume festive transactions. Cash-flow planning, credit limits, return policies, retail staffing, digital campaigns and weekly sell-through monitoring support replenishment and pricing decisions.

Authorised Economic Operator programme advances trusted trade through risk-based customs facilitation, streamlined EMI documentation, and stakeholder-led reforms.
India's Authorised Economic Operator Programme promotes voluntary compliance, supply-chain security, risk-based customs administration and predictable cross-border movement of goods. Compliant trade and logistics entities may receive simplified customs procedures and risk-based facilitation. Proposed process reforms include uniform operating procedures, applicant checklists, single-deficiency processing, time-bound applications, clearer financial-solvency requirements, and strengthened client relationship and validation arrangements. Documentation under the Eligible Manufacturer Importer Scheme has been reduced, supporting lower compliance burdens and a pathway towards higher AEO tiers.

Fraudulent input tax credit through bogus invoices prompted arrest following allegations of invoicing without actual supply of goods.
The investigation concerned alleged fraudulent availment and passing on of inadmissible input tax credit through bogus invoices. Multiple suppliers were identified as non-existent, non-functional, suspended or cancelled, while field verification indicated an absence of genuine business activity at certain declared premises. Input tax credit was allegedly availed without receipt of goods and passed on through invoices without corresponding supplies. Statements recorded during investigation led to the arrest of a firm partner under the CGST Act.

Bribery allegations in CGST redevelopment approvals lead to arrests following a trap involving an intermediary consultant.
Bribery allegations concerning CGST redevelopment approvals led to registration of a case against a CGST Superintendent and unknown persons. The Superintendent allegedly sought undue advantage for issuing a no-objection certificate and handing over CGST-owned flats. Following verification, a trap was laid after the complainant was allegedly directed to deliver cash to a CGST consultant. Both the Superintendent and consultant were arrested, produced before the competent court, and placed in police custody. Further investigation remains in progress.

Municipal salary arrears and GST grant demands prompted temporary strike suspension after payment and committee assurances.
Municipal employees temporarily suspended their strike after the administration committed to pay two months' pending salaries by September 15 and arrange clearance of remaining salary arrears within 30 days. The employees had sought payment of salary arrears, increased GST grants to the civic body, and release of the outstanding difference in GST grants. A committee is to pursue the pending GST grant proposals at the government level.