New Delhi: Only three days of May have passed so far, yet significant changes have already impacted everyone. The most significant change witnessed at the beginning of May concerns the pricing of commercial gas cylinders. A hike of ₹994 in the price of commercial gas cylinders has taken everyone by surprise.
Key Highlights
1. 📊 GST Collection — Historic Record in April 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| 💰 April 2026 Collection | ₹2.42 lakh crore |
| 📈 YoY Growth | ▲ 8.7% |
| 🏆 Previous Record | ₹2.23 lakh crore (April 2025) |
| 📊 New Record | ▲ ₹19,000 crore above the previous best |
Why April Always Shows High GST:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 📅 Year-end reconciliation | Companies close March books & clear dues in April |
| 💼 Annual settlements | B2B transactions settled at the financial year-end |
| 🧾 Outstanding dues | Pending GST from FY paid in the first month of the new year |
🏆 ₹2.42 lakh crore = India’s highest-ever single-month GST collection — a strong signal of economic activity
2. 🔥 LPG Price Changes — May 1, 2026
| Cylinder Type | Previous Price (Delhi) | New Price (Delhi) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (19 kg) | ₹2,077.50 | ₹3,071.50 | ▲ ₹994 |
| 5-kg Free Trade LPG | ~₹549 | ~₹810 | ▲ ₹261 |
| Domestic (14.2 kg) | ₹913 | ₹913 | ❌ No change |
Furthermore, customers received a major shock due to a ₹261 increase in the price of 5-kg ‘Free Trade LPG’ cylinders. Apart from these changes, India’s gross GST collection set a major record in the month of April itself. Read on below to learn in detail why the month of May has proven to be so significant.
GST Collection Reaches ₹2.42 Lakh Crore
India’s gross GST collection achieved a new milestone in the month of April. A record collection of ₹2.42 lakh crore was registered in April. According to government data, this represents an 8.7 per cent increase compared to the same month in the previous year. Before this, the highest-ever collection stood at ₹2.23 lakh crore in April 2025.
Incidentally, it is generally observed that GST collections tend to be robust during the first month of the financial year. A primary reason for this is that, as the financial year concludes in March, companies reconcile their annual accounts. Any outstanding tax dues are typically paid during the month of April.
Gas Cylinder Rates Rise
In the month of May, the price of commercial gas cylinders increased by ₹994. The price of 5-kg cylinders has also been hiked. In Delhi, the price of a commercial cylinder has risen to ₹3,071.50, while the price of a small 5-kg cylinder has gone up by ₹261 to reach approximately ₹810. There has been no change whatsoever in the prices of domestic gas cylinders.
E-Prapti’ Portal to be Launched to Track Dormant PF Accounts: Details Here
Did you know that two major updates have emerged for members of the EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation? In response to long-standing complaints regarding low pension amounts, the government is now considering an increase in the minimum pension provided under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS). In addition to this, the EPFO has announced the launch of a new portal named ‘e-Pratipurti’ for individuals whose old PF accounts are closed or currently lying dormant. With the help of this portal, even those who do not possess a UAN (Universal Account Number) will be able to withdraw their stuck funds.
Air India Takes a Surprising Decision
Air India is set to reduce its international and domestic flight operations. There will be a reduction of approximately 10 per cent in both international and domestic flights. Starting with the winter schedule at the end of October, this Tata Group-owned airline plans to discontinue around 100 flights daily. Currently, the airline operates 900 flights, a number that will now decrease to a total of 800.