India's GST system, entering its ninth year, faces a compliance paradox where advanced technology coexists with enforcement-heavy practices and taxpayer mistrust. Originally designed for self-assessment with minimal human interface, the system now features frequent notices, audits, and credit blockages. Input Tax Credit has become problematic, with buyers facing liability for vendor defaults under Section 16(2)(c) and Rule 86A allowing discretionary credit blocking. Procedural rigidity affects businesses through complex filing requirements and punitive late fees. Enforcement has hardened since 2020, featuring arrests under Section 132 and frequent inspections. While courts provide relief through interventions, the author advocates for compliance empathy, dispute prevention, and legal certainty in future reforms. - (AI Summary)