Completed Research Projects

There has been the roll out of long awaited Goods and Service Tax (GST) in India from 1st July, 2017 as a serious tax reform in the area of indirect taxation. This happened through the implementation of One Hundred and First Amendment of the Constitution of India by the India government. The tax replaced existing multiple cascading taxes levied by the Central and State governments. These taxes included Central Excise Duty, Additional Custom Duty, Service Tax, Central Sales Tax, State Value Added Tax, Octroi, Entry Tax etc.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indirect tax levied in India on the supply of goods and services. GST is levied on all transactions such as sale, transfer, purchase, barter, lease, or import of goods and/or services. It is a consumption-based tax/destination-based tax, therefore, taxes are paid to the State where the goods or services are consumed, not the state in which they were produced.

India adopted a dual GST model, meaning that taxation is administered by both the Union and State Governments. Transactions made within a single State are levied with Central GST (CGST) by the Central Government and State GST (SGST) by the State governments. For Inter-State transactions and imported goods or services, an Integrated GST (IGST) is levied by the Central Government. 

This paper attempts to examine, besides discussion on concept and features of GST in India, the extent to which the GST and its administration have been successful in achieving the targeted goals.