GST Rate Rationalisation: Why is GST Rationalisation Essential?

By Tanya Gupta

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Updated on: Sep 5th, 2025

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11 min read

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. 

GST Rate Rationalisation in 56th GST Council Meeting 

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 

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. 

Current GST Rate Structure

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%. 

Need for GST Rate Rationalisation

GST rate rationalisation is integral to the objective of introducing GST in India, and the reasons are: 

  1. Structural simplification of GST rates: GST was introduced with 4 tax slabs, excluding the nil tax (0%). This was much simplified compared to the pre-GST indirect taxation system. However, most countries that successfully implemented GST follow only one or two tax slabs. So, the Indian GST system has a lot of room for improvement.  
  2. Review of prevailing GST rates based on consumption pattern: GST is a consumption-driven taxation system, and changing consumption patterns requires regular review and revision of GST rates to keep the system relevant to changing micro and macroeconomic realities. 
  3. Reducing the tax burden on essential consumer items: In a democratic country like India, central and state governments control price inflation to reduce the population's burden. GST rate rationalisation helps lower the tax burden on these items. 
  4. Minimising compliance burden on traders and manufacturers: Multiple tax slabs for similar items and confusion about interpreting tax implications increase the compliance and audit burden for manufacturers and traders. This also increases operational costs. 
  5. Improving voluntary acceptance of GST among taxpayers: Worldwide, a simplified tax structure helps improve taxpayers' acceptance of the taxation system and increases voluntary tax payments. So, GST rate rationalisation is also essential for implementing GST successfully in India. 

The key proposals for GST Rate Rationalisation 

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: 

  • Significant reduction or exemption of individual health insurance premium from GST 
  • Rationalisation of the gap between GST applicable to EV, Hybrid and Flex-fuel cars
  • Merging 12% and 18% slabs to a median rate of 15% so that the number of tax slabs comes down to 3 from the existing four slabs.
  • Postponing different tax implications for items of similar categories. For example, when sold loose, jaggery attracts 0% GST, but packed jaggery attracts 5% GST.  
  • Getting rid of multiplicity by introducing a single slab GST in a phased manner in line with global GST practices   

Impact of GST Rate Rationalisation

If implemented timely and correctly, GST rate rationalisation will: 

  • Improve the 'ease of doing business' for manufacturers and traders in the country. 
  • Establish India as 'one nation, one country', removing inter-state obstacles in transferring goods. 
  • Reduce compliance burden and cost of compliance for manufacturers and traders. 
  • Increase voluntary acceptance of GST among taxpayers.
  • Improve GST collection for government exchequers.   

Why is the Rationalisation of GST Rates Complex?

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. 

  • India is a diverse country with different consumption patterns across states, and two-thirds of the voting rights in the GST Council belong to different states. Building a consensus is difficult, especially in an environment of political differences. For example, the Council and the finance ministry intend to bring petroleum products under GST. However, this may cause a loss of tax collection for many states, so those state members in the GST Council oppose such a move.     
  • GST rate rationalisation also needs to consider its impact on tax collection. An increase in rates for another must compensate for a reduction in GST rates for one set of items. The options are limited, with most luxury goods already being taxed at the highest GST rate. Besides, it can also fuel inflation.
  • GST rate rationalisation can affect inflation and the economic condition of a particular segment of consumers. For example, merging 12% and 18% tax to a median value of 15% will increase the tax burden for items that now attract 12% GST. Balancing such an impact is a difficult task.
  • Merging tax slabs or a broad change in GST tax structure requires multiple government agencies to work together for implementation. This is a time-consuming and cost-intensive process.  

Government Initiatives and Stakeholder Consultation

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of GST rate rationalisation?

GST rate rationalisation means regular review, revision and simplification of GST rates.  

What key changes are expected in the 54th GST Council meeting concerning GST rate rationalisation?

 

  • Discussion on GST rate rationalisation and merging of slabs. 
  • Reduction of GST rate on individual health insurance premiums. 
  • Discussion and decision on 'compensation cess', levied on items like cars and other luxury goods.  
How are GST rates decided?

The GST Council follows a few steps for a decision on rates: 

  • First, the Council considers different rate rationalisation proposals from industry bodies. 
  • Items are categorised into essential, semi-essential, luxury, or sin goods. 
  • The Council gives priority to rationalising tax rates for essential and semi-essential items. 
  • The Fitment Committee (FC), which comprises tax officers from both the centre and states, evaluates the impact of the rate rationalisation on tax collection, compliance complications, and other issues. 
  • Based on the FC report, the Council submits the proposal in the quarterly GST council meetings. Members discuss the proposal and express their concerns. 
  • Final approval on rate rationalisation happens through unanimous consensus or voting among council members.  
  • The government will notify the new rates through official gazettes.
How will GST rate rationalisation affect consumers?

It helps reduce the tax burden on consumers and makes items affordable. 

How will the GST rate rationalisation impact businesses?

It reduces compliance and audit burden, simplifies tax collection and improves ease of doing business.  

When is the GST rate rationalisation expected to take place?

The GST rate rationalisation is an ongoing process, and the GST Council has been rationalising the rate since introducing GST in 2017. However, primary rationalisation goals, like removing the multiplicity of tax rates, may take a long time to materialise.  

What is the need for rationalisation of tax structure?

  • Reduction of the tax burden on essential commodities. 
  • Reduction of compliance and audit burden on businesses. 
  • Improving voluntary acceptance of GST among taxpayers. 
About the Author
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Tanya Gupta

Content Writer
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A Chartered Accountant by profession and a content writer by passion, I've dedicated my career to unraveling the complexities of GST. With a firm belief that learning is a lifelong journey, I've honed my skills in simplifying intricate legal jargon into easily understandable content. The satisfaction of transforming complex tax laws into relatable narratives is what drives me. Read more

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