The GST Council’s 57th meeting was scheduled for October 8, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Before the meeting, reports described proposals on faster refunds, registration and return filing, GST offences, and tax treatment across e-commerce platforms. The formal agenda was not public in the reporting available on October 7, so these were possible discussion items—not adopted rules. The exact treatment of every e-commerce “delivery charge” was also not established.
What was on the reported agenda?
Moneycontrol and BusinessToday reported that the Centre was seeking process reforms after the previous round of GST rate rationalisation. Possible topics included quicker refunds and registrations, easier business closure, changes to input-tax-credit refunds, return-filing options, decriminalisation of some GST offences, and a faceless CGST interface. Reports also raised the possibility of uniform tax incidence across platforms for identical services.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
BusinessToday said implementation could be staged through 2027 and that broad rate changes were not expected. These were media reports about possible proposals; without a published formal agenda or Council decision, they should not be read as confirmed changes.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What is proposed for GST refunds?
Moneycontrol reported a Finance Ministry proposal to acknowledge refund claims within 10 days, with acknowledgement deemed to have occurred if the deadline were missed. After a risk check, 90% of the claim could then be released provisionally. An unnamed source quoted by Moneycontrol on October 6 estimated, “Refunds should take about 17 days.” That is an attributed estimate, not a new statutory deadline. The same report said the CGST Act requires refunds within 60 days.
#1 Best Overall
BusinessToday separately reported a possible expansion of refunds for inverted duty structures to accumulated input tax credit on input services and capital goods. Its account suggested input-service refunds might begin in the current financial year and capital-goods refunds from April 2027. Those dates and changes were reported possibilities, not confirmed Council decisions.
What had already been recommended?
The 56th GST Council recommendations in 2025 had already described risk-based provisional sanction of 90% of certain refund claims. That prior recommendation is distinct from the October 8 report about acknowledging claims within 10 days and the estimated 17-day turnaround. The Council’s [official recommendations from the 56th meeting](URL_56) provide the earlier context.
Could registration and return filing become simpler?
Moneycontrol reported that 61% of GST registrations were being granted automatically within three working days and that the objective was to raise that share to 100%. It also reported possible self-certification for some registration amendments and annual returns for certain small taxpayers supplying only to consumers.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSome simplified registration measures were already recommended at the 56th meeting. The recommendations set out an optional route for eligible low-risk applicants, with automated registration within three working days, to be operationalised from November 1, 2025; they said it could benefit around 96% of new applicants. The Council also approved in principle a mechanism for small suppliers selling through e-commerce operators across multiple states, with detailed modalities left for later consideration.
BusinessToday reported another possible option: an annual return with quarterly tax payments for some businesses with turnover up to ₹5 crore that supply to unregistered persons. This was a reported proposal, not a compliance option established by the October 7 reporting.
What does “GST on delivery charges” mean?
There was no published formal agenda note in the available pre-meeting reporting that established a specific October 8 proposal for delivery charges. Moneycontrol reported a broader proposal for uniform tax incidence across platforms providing identical services, irrespective of their commercial models. The reporting did not define the proposal’s exact scope or establish how every checkout line labelled “delivery charge” would be taxed.
For the current rule described in the official FAQ on the 56th Council decisions, a local delivery service provided through an e-commerce operator (ECO) is taxable at 18%. Who pays the GST depends on the supplier’s registration status:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Local delivery supplier | GST payment responsibility described in the official FAQ |
|---|---|
| Supplier not required to register under section 22(1) | The ECO pays GST under section 9(5). |
| Registered supplier | The supplier pays GST at 18%. |
The FAQ’s treatment concerns local delivery services. It does not establish the treatment of every platform fee, freight charge, or bundled supply; the actual service and applicable notification matter. See the [official FAQ on local delivery through an ECO](URL_DELIVERY).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Could GST offences be decriminalised?
Moneycontrol reported that the Council might discuss decriminalising GST offences and a faceless CGST interface, while some states were said to have concerns about reducing tax authorities’ powers. An unnamed senior official told the publication, “We are moving towards a trust-based administration. Honest businesses should be able to deal with the GST system. We are looking at rationalised decriminalisation of all provisions.” The same report quoted the official as saying, “Because we trust, arrest powers need not be used.” These are anonymous-source remarks relayed by a news outlet, not official Council decisions.
Rank #4
BusinessToday reported that changing arrest powers would require amendments to legislation and parliamentary approval, and that prosecution might remain for deliberate fraud and serious offences. The Council cannot by itself enact amendments to the Acts.
How to distinguish a proposal from a rule
For businesses and consumers, the key distinction is the stage a policy has reached. A news report of a possible proposal does not change a filing obligation or tax liability. A Council recommendation is also not necessarily the operative instrument: implementation may require a notification, amendment, or other applicable legal measure. As of the October 7 reporting, the meeting outcome, formal agenda, and any resulting implementation instruments remained unresolved.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
- Reported possibility: an item described by news outlets as something the Council may consider.
- Council recommendation: a decision or recommendation recorded by the Council, which may still require implementation steps.
- Operative rule: the applicable notification, statutory amendment, or other legal instrument that brings a change into effect.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
