Union Government considering imposing tax on mobile data

New Delhi – In the coming years, using internet on mobile phones in India may become more expensive. The government is considering the option of imposing a new tax on mobile data usage. In this regard, the Department of Telecommunications has been asked to conduct a study and submit a report on whether it is feasible to impose a tax on mobile data usage and, if implemented, how it could be executed.

So far, the government has not made any official statement on the matter. However, over the past few days, the issue has been widely discussed on social media, citing information from sources.

📱Government Weighs Tax on Mobile Data Usage

▪️ Govt asks the DOT to submit a model by Sept 2026 on a possible ₹1 per GB levy.

▪️ With India using 229 billion GB of data in FY25, the move could generate ₹22,900 crore in revenue.

▪️ Currently, users already pay 18% GST on… pic.twitter.com/GQfojGOEGL

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 13, 2026

Proposal to charge ₹1 tax per GB of data

According to the option being considered by the government, a tax of ₹1 per GB of mobile data could be imposed. If implemented, this additional charge could be applied whenever a user consumes mobile data. It is being suggested that such a tax could generate around ₹22,900 crore annually for the government. However, this is only a proposal and no final decision has been taken yet.

Cheap data and rising usage in India

India is among the countries with the cheapest mobile data in the world. Because of affordable internet, data usage in the country has increased rapidly. Services such as video streaming, social media, online gaming, and short-video platforms have significantly contributed to the continuous rise in mobile data consumption.

18% GST already applicable

Currently, 18% GST (Goods and Services Tax) is charged on mobile recharges. This means users are already paying taxes on telecom services. If a separate tax is imposed on data usage in the future, it could become an additional charge beyond the existing tax.

Final decision only after study

At present, the government has asked the Department of Telecommunications to conduct a detailed study of the proposal and assess its benefits and drawbacks. A final decision on whether to impose a new tax on mobile data usage in India will be taken only after the report is submitted.