India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) system is undergoing its most substantial transformation since 2017. Starting September 22, 2025, a simplified two-tier tax structure will be implemented. Most goods and services will fall under 5% and 18% tax rates, while ultra-luxury items will face a 40% levy.
This significant change, decided during the 56th GST Council meeting led by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks to enhance tax transparency and simplify compliance for everyone.
Previously, the four-tiered GST system with rates of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% frequently caused confusion and classification disputes. With the introduction of ‘GST 2.0,’ most goods and services will now be streamlined into just two primary tax brackets:
- 5% – Applicable to essential and daily-use items like food grains and medicines.
- 18% – Covering most standard goods and services, including manufacturing, transport, and other services.
Additionally, the government has established a distinct 40% ‘de-merit’ rate for certain goods, encompassing items considered ‘sin’ or ultra-luxury, such as tobacco products, pan masala, aerated beverages, and high-end vehicles.
The Union Finance Ministry formally announced the updated Central GST (CGST) rates for goods on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Individual states are expected to follow suit with their respective State GST (SGST) rate notifications, which will come into effect for goods and services from Monday, September 22, 2025.
The primary goal of GST 2.0 is to streamline India’s indirect tax framework by reducing the number of tax slabs and eliminating ambiguities in classification. This revised structure aims to offer consumers enhanced clarity, fairness, and a degree of protection against inflationary pressures.
Key Highlights of GST 2.0:
The Union Government anticipates that these new GST reforms will stimulate consumer spending by making a wider range of goods and services more affordable, thereby increasing the disposable income available to the populace.
Explore the Revised GST Rates:
An interactive dashboard is available to help you navigate the full list of goods and services affected by the new GST rates. This tool allows users to search for specific products by description, filter items based on whether their tax rates have increased, decreased, or remained unchanged, and categorize them by sector (e.g., Agriculture, Automobile, Food, Healthcare, Tobacco). You can also filter by item type, choosing between services and goods. The dashboard provides a clear breakdown of each item’s previous and current tax rates, highlighting any changes.