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India’s GST collection in February 2026 reached ₹20,27,033 crore, up 8.3% from the previous year. Domestic GST rose 5.3% to ₹1,35,772 crore, while imports continued to grow, with refunds increasing by 10.2%. Net GST revenue rose to ₹1,61,014 crore, reflecting sustained fiscal stability and regional SGST gains.
State Bank of India (SBI) increased ATM transaction fees effective December 1, 2025, for non-SBI ATM usage beyond free limits. Cash withdrawals now cost ₹23 + GST (up from ₹21), while balance enquiries and mini-statements are ₹11 + GST (up from ₹10). Regular savings accounts retain 5 free transactions monthly. Salary package accounts now get only 10 free transactions per month (previously unlimite
This piece examines GST 2.0’s inverted duty structure and its effects on Indian MSMEs, including credit access, input tax credits, and proposed reliefs from FISME and AIE, alongside government budget considerations.
From February 1, 2026, cigarette prices in India will rise due to a revamped excise duty structure—the first major change since GST in 2017. Tax now depends on cigarette length and filter type, ranging ₹2,050-₹8,500 per 1,000 sticks, added to GST. Longer premium variants (70-75mm) like Gold Flake Premium, Classic, Marlboro, Navy Cut, and Ice Burst face the steepest increase (~₹5.4/stick). Companie
Hyundai Motor India will raise vehicle prices by an average 0.6% from January 1, 2026, citing sustained high input costs, especially precious metals used in production. The hike affects the entire lineup, from the ₹5.47 lakh Grand i10 to the ₹46.30 lakh Ioniq 5 EV. Joining Renault, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and JSW MG Motor, this move reflects industry-wide pressure from commodity volatility.
Rising production costs are creating pressure for consumer goods manufacturers, but many are postponing price increases. Companies are worried that raising prices now could prompt government intervention, especially after the recent GST reductions.
South Indian Bank (SIB), a leading private sector bank, has announced the integration of its services with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal, allowing taxpayers to make payments via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
