The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), Hyderabad Bench, has officially commenced its operations, marking a significant step in strengthening the GST dispute resolution framework in Telangana. As per a notification dated April 17, 2026, the Bench will begin functioning from April 20, 2026, from its temporary office at GST Bhavan, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad.
The notification states that the Hyderabad Bench will exercise jurisdiction over the State of Telangana and hear appeals filed under the CGST Act, 2017, the IGST Act, 2017, and the Telangana GST Act, 2017. This development is expected to streamline the appellate process for taxpayers and reduce dependency on other forums for dispute resolution.
A key highlight of the notification is the establishment of a dedicated “Registrar Court” to deal with procedural deficiencies in appeals. It has been observed that a large number of appeals are being filed with defects relating to documentation and court fees. To address this, the Registrar Court will convene from April 20, 2026, onwards at 11:30 AM to facilitate rectification of such defects and ensure smoother case processing.
Further, as per Rule 24 of the GSTAT Procedure Rules, parties are required to rectify defects within seven days of notice. However, the Registrar may grant additional time, subject to sufficient cause, with an overall cap of 30 days. This structured approach aims to bring procedural discipline and avoid delays in appeal adjudication.
The notification also provides that the daily cause list will be issued one day prior to hearings. Until the GSTAT website becomes fully functional, stakeholders including taxpayers and tax practitioners will receive updates via email. They have been advised to actively track their cases and attend the Registrar Court where required for defect rectification.
Additionally, trade bodies, tax associations, and legal practitioners have been requested to disseminate this information among their members to ensure awareness and compliance.
The commencement of the GSTAT Hyderabad Bench is expected to significantly ease litigation burdens and improve access to justice for taxpayers in the region, especially in light of long-pending demands for functional GST appellate tribunals across the country.
