The primary aim of the Goods and Services Tax in India was to remove complexities from the highly fragmented indirect tax system that prevailed in the country before 2017 and build India as 'one nation, one market'. However, the GST Act has replaced one set of complications with another.
This article discusses GST rate rationalisation, why it is necessary and the hurdles the GST Council faces in rationalising GST rates. Stay with us.
Key Takeaways
1. The most awaited 56th GST Council meeting happened 3rd September 2025. The council rationalised the GST rate structure from four GST slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to a simplified structure:
- Standard rate: 18% - Applicable to most goods and services
- Merit rate: 5% - For essential items and priority sectors
- Demerit rate: 40% - Selective application to sin goods and luxury items
2. GST on individual health & life insurance has been made exempted.
3. GST on dairy products, 33 lifesaving drugs and educational essentials have been brought down to Nil rate.
4. GST on daily essentials, agriculture goods, health care equipment have been brought down to 5%.
5. GST on electronic appliances, small cars and motor cycles (≤350cc) have been brought down to 18%.
6. GST on sin goods such as pan masala, aerated waters, caffeinated beverages, carbonated beverages of fruit drinks / with fruit juice has been increased to 40%.
7. All GST rate changes will be effective from 22nd Sept 2025 except tobacco products.
The next gen GST reforms from 56th GST Council meeting represent the most comprehensive GST rate overhaul since the introduction of GST, directly impacting financial strategies, cash flows, and competitive positioning.
GST rate cuts-
Category | Items | From (%) | To (%) |
Daily Essentials | Hair Oil, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Toilet Soap Bar, Tooth Brushes, Shaving Cream | 18 | 5 |
Butter, Ghee, Cheese & Dairy Spreads | 12 | 5 | |
Pre-packaged Namkeens, Bhujia & Mixtures | 12 | 5 | |
Utensils | 12 | 5 | |
Feeding Bottles, Napkins for Babies & Clinical Diapers | 12 | 5 | |
Sewing Machines & Parts | 12 | 5 | |
Uplifting Farmers & Agriculture | Tractor Tyres & Parts | 18 | 5 |
Tractors | 12 | 5 | |
Specified 12 bio-pesticides and micro-nutrients | 12 | 5 | |
Drip Irrigation System & Sprinklers | 12 | 5 | |
Agricultural, Horticultural or Forestry Machines (Soil Preparation, Cultivation, etc.) | 12 | 5 | |
Healthcare Sector | Individual Health & Life Insurance | 18 | Nil |
Thermometer | 18 | 5 | |
Medical Grade Oxygen | 12 | 5 | |
All Diagnostic Kits & Reagents | 12 | 5 | |
Glucometer & Test Strips | 12 | 5 | |
Corrective Spectacles | 12 | 5 | |
33 drugs and medicines, listed in the press release | 12 | Nil | |
Agalsidase Beta, Imiglucerase and Eptacog alfa activated recombinant coagulation factor VIIa drugs | 5 | Nil | |
Drugs and medicines such as Faricimab, Pertuzumab, Fluticasone Furoate + Umeclidinium + Vilanterol FF/UMEC/VI, Ocrelizumab, and Brentuximab Vedotin | 12 | 5 | |
Automobiles | Petrol & Petrol Hybrid, LPG, CNG Cars (≤1200cc & ≤4000mm) | 28 | 18 |
Diesel & Diesel Hybrid Cars (≤1500cc & ≤4000mm) | 28 | 18 | |
Three wheelers | 28 | 18 | |
Motorcycles (≤350cc) | 28 | 18 | |
Motor Vehicles for the transport of goods | 28 | 18 | |
Education | Maps, Charts & Globes | 12 | Nil |
Pencils, Sharpeners, Crayons & Pastels | 12 | Nil | |
Exercise Books & Notebooks | 12 | Nil | |
Eraser | 5 | Nil | |
Electronic Appliances | Air Conditioners | 28 | 18 |
Television (above 32") (inc. LED & LCD TVs) | 28 | 18 | |
Monitors & Projectors | 28 | 18 | |
Dish Washing Machines | 28 | 18 |
GST rate hikes-
Category | Item description | From (%) | To (%) |
Mining | Coal, lignite, peat | 5 | 18 |
Sin goods | tobacco/ pan masala* | 28 | 40 |
Aerated waters | 28 | 40 | |
Caffeinated beverages | 28 | 40 | |
Carbonated beverages of fruit drinks / with fruit juice | 28 | 40 | |
Other non‑alcoholic beverages | 18 | 40 | |
Motor cars and larger hybrids (beyond small‑car thresholds) | 28 | 40 | |
Motorcycles exceeding 350cc | 28 | 40 | |
Aircraft for personal use | 28 | 40 | |
Yachts and vessels for pleasure/sports | 28 | 40 | |
Smoking pipes and cigarette/cigar holders | 28 | 40 | |
Revolvers & pistols | 28 | 40 | |
Admission to casinos, race clubs, and sporting events like IPL | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
Licensing of bookmakers by race clubs | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
Specified actionable claims (betting, casinos, gambling, horse racing, lottery, online money gaming) | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
Leasing/rental without operator of goods attracting 40% GST | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
Paper sector | Dissolving‑grade chemical wood pulp | 12 | 18 |
Various papers/paperboards, other than exercise‑book paper | 12 | 18 | |
Textiles | Apparel/Made‑ups > Rs 2,500 per piece | 12 | 18 |
Quilted/cotton quilts and quilted products more than Rs.2,500 per piece | 12 | 18 |
* To come into effect at a later date (not from 22nd Sept, 2025) through a notification, after the loan and interest obligations under the compensation cess are discharged.
Currently, GST is applicable in 5 slabs, including 0% or nil tax. They are 0% (Nil tax), 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.
Essential commodities primarily belong to 0% and 5% tax slabs, while semi-essential items are taxed at 12% and 18% slabs. Luxury items attract the highest GST rate of 28%.
GST rate rationalisation is integral to the objective of introducing GST in India, and the reasons are:
Manufacturers' and traders' bodies and consumer interest protection groups have several proposals to rationalise the prevailing GST rates in India. Some of these key proposals are:
If implemented timely and correctly, GST rate rationalisation will:
Industry bodies had high expectations from the 53rd GST Council meeting, held on 22nd June 2024, on the rationalisation of GST tax slabs. However, the Council has yet to make conclusive decisions as GST rate rationalisation faces several hurdles.
The 54th GST Council Meet took place on 9th September 2024 in New Delhi.The status reports were duly submitted by the Group of Ministers (GoM) formed on rate rationalisation on the basis of which further discussions will be held in upcoming council meetings. However, a few rate changes were recommended by the GST Council such as extruded/expanded savoury food products, cancer drugs and car and motorcycle seats.