Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, on Thursday launched the retail sale of onions at Rs 24 per kg in Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. The initiative is being executed through outlets and mobile vans of NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar, and distribution partners of NAFED and NCCF as part of the...
GST Council Raises Tax on Oil and Gas Exploration Services to 18%, Increasing Production Costs
New Delhi: The GST Council has approved an increase in the tax on oil and gas exploration and production services from 12% to 18%, a move set to raise production costs across the sector. The new tax rates will come into effect from September 22, 2025. According to an official statement, services related to the...
GST Council Imposes 40% Tax on Pan Masala, Cigarettes, and Other Harmful Items
New Delhi: The GST Council has announced major changes to India’s Goods and Services Tax system, reducing the number of tax slabs to just two — 5 percent and 18 percent — effectively removing the earlier 12 percent and 28 percent slabs. While this move is expected to make many essential goods more affordable for...
GST Overhaul Sparks Consumer Relief, Sensex Surges Nearly 900 Points
Mumbai: Indian stock markets saw a strong surge on Thursday morning following the GST Council’s announcement of a major overhaul to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped by 888.96 points to reach 81,456.67, while the 50-share NSE Nifty gained 265.7 points, closing at 24,980.75. The GST Council has simplified...
GST Rejig 2025: Smartphones Stay at 18% Slab, No Price Cut for Buyers
New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, in its 56th meeting, unveiled a revamped tax structure introducing simplified slabs of 5 percent and 18 percent, along with a 40 percent category for luxury and sin goods. The changes, effective from September 22, aim to boost consumption ahead of the festive season. However, for...
India’s GST 2.0: Mega Tax Overhaul Sets 5%-18% Dual Slabs—Detailed Break-down of Items That Get Cheaper or Costlier
In its 56th meeting (September 3–4, 2025), the GST Council, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, rolled out a dramatic rationalisation of India’s GST structure. The existing four-tier system (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) has been condensed into two core slabs — 5% and 18%, alongside a dedicated 40% “sin-and-luxury” tax for select demerit goods. These...
GST Council Greenlights Simplified Dual-Slab Regime of 5% and 18%, Phasing Out 12% & 28% Rates
In a landmark move, the 56th GST Council—chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman—has approved a streamlined dual-slab Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure of 5% and 18%, effectively abolishing the existing 12% and 28% tax brackets. The decision, reached during the Council’s two-day meeting from September 3 to 4, has been hailed as one...
Major GST Reforms Likely: Tax Slab Changes and Price Cuts on Essentials Expected
The 56th meeting of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council begins today, September 3, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi and will continue till September 4. This crucial meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to bring major reforms to India’s indirect tax structure. A total of 33 members, including Finance Ministers...
Finance Ministry to Begin Budget 2026-27 Preparations From October 9
New Delhi: The Finance Ministry will commence the pre-budget exercise for the fiscal year 2026-27 from October 9, 2025, against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties and a steep 50 per cent US tariff on shipments from India. The upcoming budget is expected to focus on boosting domestic demand, generating employment, and steering the economy towards...
President Murmu Urges Banks to Prioritize Farmers’ Empowerment and Rural Economy
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday stressed that the empowerment of farmers and the rural economy must remain a key priority for the Indian banking sector. Speaking at the 120th foundation day celebrations of City Union Bank in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, she highlighted the critical role banks can play in transforming the nation’s economy. “From start-ups...









