GST collections rise 4.6 pc to Rs 1.96 lakh cr in October
New Delhi (PTI): Gross GST collection increased 4.6 per cent to about Rs 1.96 lakh crore in October driven by festive buying spree despite a cut in GST rates.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on 375 items, including kitchen staples to electronics and automobiles, were slashed with effect from September 22, the first day of Navratri and considered auspicious for buying new goods.
The October GST collection number reflects the impact of festive season sales, and the pent up demand. Consumers had held back their purchase decision, awaiting GST rate cut after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech had announced that GST rates will be cut ahead of Diwali. The rate cut was, however, implemented with the onset of Navratri.
According to the government data released on Saturday, gross GST mop-up in October was about Rs 1.96 lakh crore, a 4.6 per cent higher over Rs 1.87 lakh crore collections in October 2024.
In August and September this year, the tax collection was a little subdued at over Rs 1.86 lakh crore and Rs 1.89 lakh crore, respectively.
The rate of growth in GST collections in year-on-Year terms in October at 4.6 per cent is, however, lower than about 9 per cent average growth that the collections saw in the previous months.
The gross domestic revenue, an indication of local sales, grew 2 per cent to Rs 1.45 lakh crore, while tax from imports surged about 13 per cent to Rs 50,884 crore in October.
However, GST refunds also rose 39.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 26,934 crore.
Net GST revenue stood at Rs 1.69 lakh crore in October 2025, recording 0.2 per cent YoY growth.
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Karnataka police constable arrested for forging passport verification records
Mangaluru: A police constable attached to the Vitla Police Station has been arrested for allegedly forging documents and manipulating passport verification records to obtain a clearance certificate from the authorities.
Police said on Tuesday that a person identified as Shakti Das, who claimed to be residing within the jurisdiction of the Vitla Police Station, first applied for a passport in February 2025.
During police verification, it was found that the address mentioned in the application did not match official records, following which the application was not recommended.
In June 2025, Shakti Das reportedly submitted a second passport application. Police alleged that Pradeep, a staff member at the Vitla Police Station, processed the reapplication without informing the concerned beat constable, Sabu Mirji, who was responsible for verifying the applicant’s address.
Pradeep allegedly prepared a verification report in the name of the beat constable, forged his signature, secured approval from senior officers, and forwarded the report. He is also accused of destroying verification-related documents to conceal the irregularities.
As per the report, the matter came to light on December 19 during a scrutiny of records. Police said the acts amounted to criminal breach of trust, as a crucial identity document issued by the Central government was fraudulently obtained.
Police further said that Shakti Das claims to hail from West Bengal, and his address is currently being verified.
Based on the findings, Vitla Police have registered a case against Pradeep and passport holder Shakti Das under Sections 336, 337, 316(5), and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Pradeep has been arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway, police said.
