New Delhi: The 57th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, originally scheduled for September 12, 2026, has been rescheduled to October 7, 2026. The key reason is a scheduling and logistical conflict with the BRICS Leaders’ Summit, which India is hosting in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
The postponement is not being attributed to any disagreement over GST policy or a delay in the Council’s decision-making process. Government sources have indicated that the simultaneous conduct of two major national-level events in New Delhi would create significant security, protocol and logistical challenges.
Why was the GST Council meeting postponed?
The immediate reason is the BRICS Summit.
India is hosting the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. The GST Council meeting had been scheduled for September 12, which is also the first day of the international summit.
A Finance Ministry source said that conducting the GST Council meeting on the same day as the BRICS Summit could create logistical difficulties. The presence of heads of government and senior international delegations means extensive security arrangements, traffic restrictions, protocol requirements and administrative deployment will be in place across the national capital.
As a result, the GST Council meeting has been shifted to October 7.
When will the next GST Council meeting be held?
The 57th GST Council meeting is now scheduled for:
Date: October 7, 2026
Location: New Delhi
Meeting: 57th GST Council
Earlier date: September 12, 2026
Reason for change: Clash with the BRICS Leaders’ Summit
Preparatory meetings involving GST officials are also expected to take place before the Council meeting. Reports indicate that officers are expected to meet on October 5 and 6.
Why is this meeting particularly important?
The 57th GST Council meeting assumes significance because it comes more than a year after the previous full Council meeting.
The 56th GST Council meeting was held in September 2025 and resulted in major changes to India’s GST structure. The Council recommended a major rationalisation of GST rates, with the broad framework moving towards 5% and 18% rates, while a higher rate was retained for certain sin and luxury goods.
The next meeting is therefore expected to examine how the restructured GST system is functioning and whether further administrative or procedural changes are required.
GST registration reforms may be on the agenda
One of the issues expected to receive attention is the simplification of GST registration procedures, particularly for businesses with significant input tax credit claims.
Reports indicate that the Council could examine measures aimed at making registration easier for eligible businesses while simultaneously strengthening verification and preventing fraudulent registrations.
There could also be discussions on:
GST registration procedures
Input Tax Credit (ITC) issues
Reducing GST-related litigation
Simplifying compliance
Administrative procedures for taxpayers
Possible product-specific GST rate changes
However, the final agenda will be determined by the GST Council, and individual proposals should not be treated as final decisions until formally approved.
