The 57th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has been rescheduled to October 8, 2026. Originally planned for September 12, the meeting was postponed due to the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi. This is the second change in the meeting date, with the previous rescheduling moving it to October 7. The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and including state finance ministers, will meet at the Summit Room, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, starting at 11 am.
- The meeting was postponed twice, now set for October 8.
- It aims to simplify GST compliance and reform registration and refund processes.
- Proposals include allowing GST registration in multiple states through a single application.
- Discussions will cover decriminalising certain GST offences and reviewing arrest powers of GST officers.
- The Council will consider policy reforms to resolve GST disputes and improve input tax credit flow.
Why was the GST Council meeting postponed multiple times?
The GST Council meeting was initially scheduled for September 12, 2026. However, it was postponed due to the BRICS Summit hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. The meeting was then rescheduled for October 7 but had to be postponed again due to unavoidable circumstances. The latest official notice from the GST Council Secretariat confirmed the new date as October 8.
What is the GST Council and who chairs it?
The GST Council is a constitutional body responsible for making recommendations on Goods and Services Tax matters in India. It is chaired by the Union Finance Minister, currently Nirmala Sitharaman, and includes finance ministers from all states and union territories. The Council plays a vital role in shaping GST policies and ensuring uniform tax administration across the country.
What topics will the 57th GST Council meeting address?
The meeting will focus on several key reforms aimed at simplifying GST compliance and improving business processes. These include:
- Reforming the registration and refund mechanisms to make them more efficient.
- Introducing measures to resolve GST disputes more effectively.
- Improving the flow of input tax credit to reduce compliance costs and time for businesses.
- Considering proposals under the GST 2.0 framework, such as decriminalising certain GST offences and reviewing the arrest powers of GST officers.
- Making tax compliance easier for businesses, including e-commerce suppliers.
What are the proposed changes to GST registration?
One significant proposal is to allow businesses to apply for GST registration in multiple states through a single application process. Currently, businesses must apply separately in each state where they operate. The Council may also standardise the list of documents that tax officers can request during registration, helping to streamline the process.
How many businesses are registered under GST?
As of now, more than 1.68 crore businesses are registered under the Goods and Services Tax system in India. The reforms discussed in the upcoming meeting aim to make compliance easier for this large number of taxpayers.
