HYDERABAD, JULY 01, 2026: GST Day 2026 was celebrated in Hyderabad today, marking nine years of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), one of India’s most significant indirect tax reforms.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Shri Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, described GST as a landmark reform that has transformed India’s indirect tax system since its launch on 1 July 2017. He said the introduction of GST has simplified the country’s indirect taxation framework through digitalisation, uniformity and cooperative federalism, making tax administration more transparent, efficient and taxpayer-friendly.
The Chief Justice observed that while technology-driven compliance has modernised tax administration, it has also given rise to new legal and operational challenges, including disputes relating to digital notices, Input Tax Credit (ITC) and appeal timelines. Stressing the need for continuous awareness and capacity-building initiatives, he said taxpayers, legal professionals and tax officers must be equipped to effectively navigate the evolving GST ecosystem.
Suggesting measures to further strengthen the GST framework, Shri Singh proposed amnesty schemes for time-barred appeals, an online dispute resolution mechanism through the GSTN portal and expanded tax literacy programmes to reduce litigation and promote voluntary compliance. He called upon taxpayers, tax professionals and the tax administration to work together in strengthening the GST ecosystem, stating that honest tax compliance is essential for building a stronger, more transparent and self-reliant India.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Arun Kumar, Chief Commissioner of Central Tax & Customs, Hyderabad Zone, said GST has fundamentally transformed India’s indirect tax system over the past nine years by strengthening tax compliance, promoting digital governance and improving the ease of doing business.
Highlighting the achievements of GST, he noted that monthly GST collections have more than doubled since its introduction in 2017, while the number of registered taxpayers has increased from around 60 lakh to over 1.65 crore. He also highlighted the Hyderabad CGST Zone’s strong performance, with substantial growth in revenue collections and a significant expansion of the taxpayer base.
Shri Arun Kumar further highlighted several taxpayer-centric initiatives, including faster processing of refunds, enhanced coordination among Central GST, State GST and GST intelligence agencies, and welcomed the operationalisation of the GST Appellate Tribunal, which is expected to facilitate quicker resolution of tax disputes. Emphasising the importance of taxpayer awareness and infrastructure development, he called for continued cooperation among taxpayers, businesses, tax professionals and tax officials to build a transparent, efficient and inclusive tax ecosystem that supports India’s economic growth.
Dr. K. Brahmanandam, Padma Shri awardee and renowned actor, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. He said he has consistently paid GST without any default or delay, underscoring that honest tax compliance is a shared responsibility towards nation-building.
The programme witnessed the participation of senior officers of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), officers from the Central GST and State GST departments, members of the tax fraternity, representatives of trade and industry, legal professionals and other stakeholders.
