by Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services across India, introduced through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 and implemented from 1st July 2017. It replaced a complex web of central and state indirect taxes, including excise duty, service tax, VAT, and octroi, unifying them under the principle of “One Nation, One Tax.” GST is administered under three main components: Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), and Integrated GST (IGST) for inter-state transactions. It operates on a value-added basis, allowing businesses to claim input tax credit at each stage, thereby eliminating the cascading effect of “tax on tax” that existed under the earlier system.
1. CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax)
CGST stands for Central Goods and Services Tax. It is levied and collected by the Central Government on the intra state supply of goods and services. Under the CGST Act, 2017, when a transaction takes place within the same State, CGST is generally charged along with SGST. For example, if goods worth ₹1,00,000 are supplied within Maharashtra and the GST rate is 18%, the tax will generally be divided into 9% CGST and 9% SGST. The revenue collected through CGST goes to the Central Government. CGST Input Tax Credit can generally be used against CGST liability, subject to the conditions and restrictions prescribed under GST law. CGST ensures that the Central Government receives its share of GST revenue from intra state transactions. It forms an important part of India’s Dual GST Model, where both Central and State Governments have taxation powers.
2. SGST (State Goods and Services Tax)
SGST stands for State Goods and Services Tax. It is levied and collected by the State Government on the intra state supply of goods and services. Under the SGST provisions of the applicable GST law, SGST is charged together with CGST when the supplier and place of supply are within the same State, subject to the applicable rules. For example, on an intra state supply of ₹1,00,000 taxable at 18%, the tax may consist of 9% CGST and 9% SGST. The revenue from SGST generally belongs to the State Government in which the consumption takes place. Input Tax Credit of SGST can generally be utilised against SGST and, subject to prescribed rules, IGST liability. SGST helps States retain revenue from transactions occurring within their respective territories while maintaining a common GST framework.
3. IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax)
IGST stands for Integrated Goods and Services Tax. It is levied on inter state supplies of goods and services and on certain other supplies such as imports, according to the IGST Act, 2017. IGST is collected by the Central Government and the revenue is subsequently apportioned between the Centre and the concerned State according to the constitutional and statutory provisions. For example, if goods worth ₹1,00,000 are supplied from Maharashtra to Gujarat at an 18% GST rate, IGST of ₹18,000 would generally be charged. The major purpose of IGST is to ensure the smooth flow of Input Tax Credit across States and maintain the destination based nature of GST. It avoids the need to levy separate CGST and SGST on an inter state transaction and facilitates a common national market.
Example of CGST, SGST, and IGST:
1. Intra State Supply: CGST and SGST
Suppose A Ltd. in Maharashtra sells goods worth ₹1,00,000 to B Ltd. in Maharashtra. The applicable GST rate is 18%.
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| Value of goods | ₹1,00,000 |
| CGST @ 9% | ₹9,000 |
| SGST @ 9% | ₹9,000 |
| Total GST | ₹18,000 |
| Invoice Value | ₹1,18,000 |
Since the supply takes place within Maharashtra, both CGST and SGST are charged. The CGST of ₹9,000 goes to the Central Government, while the SGST of ₹9,000 goes to the State Government.
2. Inter State Supply: IGST
Suppose A Ltd. in Maharashtra sells goods worth ₹1,00,000 to B Ltd. in Gujarat. The applicable GST rate is 18%.
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| Value of goods | ₹1,00,000 |
| IGST @ 18% | ₹18,000 |
| Total GST | ₹18,000 |
| Invoice Value | ₹1,18,000 |
Since the supply is between two different States, IGST is charged instead of CGST and SGST. The IGST is collected by the Central Government and is subsequently apportioned according to the applicable provisions.
Simple Rule to Remember
Same State → CGST + SGST
Different States → IGST
Advantages of the Dual GST Model:
1. Division of Tax Powers
The Dual GST Model clearly divides taxation powers between the Central Government and State Governments. Under this system, CGST is collected by the Centre, while SGST is collected by the State on intra state supplies. This arrangement allows both levels of government to obtain revenue from GST without completely depending on one another. It also respects the federal structure of India, where both the Centre and States have important financial responsibilities. The division of tax powers provides a systematic framework for GST administration and ensures that both governments participate in indirect taxation.
2. Preservation of Federal Structure
India follows a federal system, where both the Central and State Governments have constitutional powers and responsibilities. The Dual GST Model supports this structure by allowing both governments to levy and collect their respective components of GST. CGST is administered by the Centre, while SGST is administered by the States for intra state supplies. This enables States to retain an important source of tax revenue while maintaining a common national taxation framework. Thus, the dual structure balances the need for uniformity in taxation with the financial and administrative requirements of individual States.
3. Revenue Sharing Between Centre and States
The Dual GST Model ensures that GST revenue is available to both the Central and State Governments. In an intra state transaction, GST is divided into CGST and SGST, allowing both governments to receive their respective shares. In inter state transactions, IGST is collected and the revenue is apportioned according to the prescribed provisions. This arrangement provides governments with resources to perform their public functions and undertake development activities. It also creates a systematic mechanism for distributing GST revenue while maintaining the destination based taxation principle.
4. Uniform Tax Framework
The Dual GST Model provides a common framework for indirect taxation throughout India while allowing both levels of government to exercise their taxation powers. The basic structure of CGST, SGST and IGST applies across the country according to the nature of the supply. This reduces the differences that previously existed under separate Central and State tax systems. Businesses can therefore understand and follow a more standardised tax structure for transactions across India. A uniform framework promotes consistency, simplifies compliance, and supports the development of a common national market.
5. Efficient Inter State Trade
The Dual GST Model facilitates inter state trade through IGST. When goods or services are supplied from one State to another, IGST is generally charged instead of separately charging CGST and SGST. The system also allows eligible Input Tax Credit to move through the supply chain, subject to prescribed conditions. This reduces tax related barriers in inter state transactions and supports the smooth movement of goods and services. Businesses operating across multiple States can therefore conduct inter state transactions under a common mechanism, helping improve supply chain efficiency and reducing unnecessary tax complications.
6. Reduction in Cascading Effect
The Dual GST Model supports the Input Tax Credit mechanism, which helps reduce the cascading effect of taxes. Businesses can generally claim credit for eligible GST paid on their purchases and use it against their output tax liability. This prevents repeated taxation of the same value at different stages of the supply chain. The availability of credit across CGST, SGST and IGST, subject to the prescribed utilisation rules, makes the tax system more efficient. As a result, GST is generally imposed on the value added at different stages rather than repeatedly taxing the entire transaction value.
7. Better Tax Administration
The Dual GST Model allows the Central and State tax authorities to participate in GST administration according to their respective powers and responsibilities. The common GST framework, along with electronic registration, return filing, payment, and record keeping, supports systematic tax administration. The use of technology also enables authorities to monitor transactions and improve compliance. Cooperation between Central and State authorities helps create a more coordinated tax system. This can improve the efficiency of tax collection, reduce duplication of procedures, and make administration more organised for taxpayers and government authorities.
8. Greater Tax Transparency
The Dual GST Model promotes transparency because transactions are recorded under a structured system of CGST, SGST and IGST. Tax invoices and electronic reporting create records of supplies and taxes paid at different stages. Eligible Input Tax Credit further encourages businesses to maintain proper purchase and sales records. These records provide a transaction trail that can assist tax authorities in verifying compliance. Greater transparency can reduce opportunities for tax evasion and improve accountability. It also enables taxpayers to understand their tax liabilities more clearly under the common GST framework.
9. Protection of State Revenue
The Dual GST Model ensures that States continue to have a share in GST revenue. Under the intra state GST structure, SGST is collected for the State in which the taxable supply takes place according to the applicable rules. This gives States an important source of revenue for financing public services and development activities. At the same time, the Central Government collects CGST. Therefore, the system avoids concentrating all GST revenue with one level of government. This feature is particularly important for maintaining the financial role of States within India’s federal structure.
10. Support for a Destination Based Tax System
The Dual GST Model works with GST’s principle of destination based taxation, under which tax revenue is generally linked to the place of consumption. For intra state supplies, CGST and SGST are charged, while inter state supplies are generally subject to IGST. The IGST mechanism helps transfer the appropriate tax revenue towards the destination State after accounting for eligible Input Tax Credit and prescribed settlement rules. This ensures that taxation is connected with consumption rather than merely the location of production. It provides a systematic basis for distributing GST revenue across India.
