Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Friday that the state achieved a historic milestone in April 2026, recording its highest-ever monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection since the tax system was introduced. This achievement also places Punjab at the forefront of overall GST revenue growth in the country.
Record-Breaking GST Figures
Cheema stated, "The state has recorded a gross GST collection of Rs 2,987.3 crore alongside a net GST collection of Rs 2,725 crore. This exceptional performance reflects a remarkable year-on-year net GST growth of 70.70%, translating to an increase of approximately Rs 1,129 crore over the state's collections in April 2025."
National Leadership in Growth
According to Government of India data, Punjab has registered a staggering 66% growth in post-settlement GST, surging from Rs 1,795 crore last year to Rs 2,987 crore. "This establishes us as the highest-growing state in the country, significantly outperforming the all-India growth average and leading all North Indian states," the minister added.
Adjusted Growth Metrics
Cheema further explained, "While the year-on-year comparison is influenced by an abnormal IGST adjustment of Rs 859 crore from April 2025, neutralising this factor reveals an adjusted gross growth of 12.57% and an adjusted net growth of 10.97%. This clearly demonstrates our sustained, organic improvements in core tax administration and compliance."
The minister emphasized that the state's focus on efficient tax collection and robust compliance mechanisms has yielded tangible results. The record collection underscores Punjab's commitment to fiscal discipline and revenue enhancement, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.
This achievement comes amid ongoing efforts to streamline tax processes and broaden the tax base, ensuring sustainable revenue growth for the state's development initiatives.
