The GST Council's next meeting is on 7 October 2026, and the Finance Minister has already framed it: process reforms only, no rate rejig. After the September 2025 restructuring into 5/18/40%, the Council has been explicit that rates need a year to settle. So the interesting questions are about how you comply, not how much you pay — plus a few rate demands that will be heard but probably not decided.
Likely on the agenda
Process reforms
Officials have flagged a package aimed at reducing friction, most of it building on 2025's changes:
- Registration in 3 days for low-risk applicants, with risk-based physical verification only for the rest — a response to the wave of fake-registration crackdowns that made genuine applicants wait weeks.
- Pre-filled GSTR-3B locked to GSTR-1/IMS becoming the norm, with a formal window for corrections (the GSTR-1A route) and clearer rules on when auto-populated ITC can be edited. See how hard-locking works.
- Refunds: faster, risk-scored processing for exporters and inverted-duty cases; a proposal to allow supplementary refund claims within limitation (several GSTAT rulings this month went the taxpayer's way).
- GSTAT (the appellate tribunal) benches are now functional across states; expect procedural rules for e-filing appeals and pre-deposit adjustments.
- Amnesty / late-fee rationalisation for small taxpayers with old non-filings is on the wish list of trade bodies; the Council has been cautious since the 3-year filing bar took effect.
The MDR-on-UPI question — already answered
Officials clarified this week that the 18% GST on UPI MDR applies from 15 October and that registered merchants can claim it as input tax credit. Some states wanted the Council to look at exempting MDR; the working position is that it is a taxable financial service like any other bank charge. Don't expect a change. Details in our MDR explainer.
GCC and export services
The Council may clarify that services by global capability centres and Indian back-offices to overseas group entities are exports (zero-rated) — a long-running dispute about "intermediary" services. Freelancers billing foreign clients already have clarity via LUT; see freelancer taxes.
Being asked for, unlikely this time
- Mobile phones from 18% to 5%. Handset makers (ICEA) wrote to the FM citing a 45% price rise in entry-level phones from memory-chip costs. The Council has treated phones as 18% "standard" goods; a cut would cost ₹20,000+ crore. Low probability in October.
- Staffing/manpower services relief. Industry wants 18% on staffing to be cut or shifted to reverse charge, since it makes formal hiring costlier for small employers.
- Health insurance for groups. Individual policies became exempt in 2025; group covers bought by employers remain at 18%.
- Petroleum under GST. Perennial; not moving.
What you should do before and after the meeting
- Don't wait for a phone-GST cut to buy inventory — the base case is no change.
- If registration is pending, follow up now; if the fast-track rule comes, it will apply to fresh applications.
- Check your rate masters are on the post-September-2025 slabs with the HSN finder and GST calculator.
- Note the October dates: GSTR-1 for September by 11 October, GSTR-3B by 20 October, QRMP quarterly returns by 22/24 October (state-wise), and the 15 October MDR start. All in the GST calendar.
- Watch for the press release on the 7th evening — Council decisions take effect only when notified, usually within 2–4 weeks.
FAQ
Will GST rates change in October 2026?
The Finance Minister has said the meeting is about process reforms; rate changes are not expected.
Is GST payable on the UPI MDR?
Yes, 18% on the MDR amount from 15 October 2026, and registered merchants can claim it as ITC.
Where can I read Council decisions?
The Ministry of Finance press release on PIB the same evening, followed by CBIC notifications and circulars.
Does a Council decision apply immediately?
No. Each decision is implemented by notification with its own effective date — typically the 1st of a following month.