Quick answer
18% GST on AI/SaaS services in India. ITC available if you're GST-registered.
Why this matters in 2026
India's DPDP Act (full compliance May 13, 2027), IT Rules 2021, and MeitY's Feb 2026 SGI rules all touch how SMBs can deploy AI. Non-compliance penalties are real — up to ₹250 crore for serious DPDP breaches.
Practical recommendation for Indian SMBs
For most under-500-employee Indian businesses, the right answer is: start small (one workflow, ₹5K-25K/month commitment), measure for 30 days, expand if ROI is clear. ZentroTECH's discovery audit (free 30 min) maps your specific situation to the 2026 AI stack — get a quote within 1 business day at /contact.
Common mistakes to avoid
(1) Buying SaaS for a problem AI can solve for ₹0 (ChatGPT Plus is enough for 60% of SMB AI needs). (2) Building custom AI when off-the-shelf works (waste of 6-12 months engineering). (3) Ignoring DPDP/MeitY compliance for "later" — fix it before deploying, not after. (4) Choosing English-only when your customers prefer Hindi/regional language.