GST New Slabs: Check List Of What Gets Cheap, What Gets Costly

The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has announced sweeping changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, marking one of the most significant overhauls in recent years. The decision, taken during the 56th Council meeting, aims to make essential items more affordable while increasing levies on luxury and sin goods to boost revenue.

Daily-use products such as groceries, medicines, and personal care items will now attract lower GST rates or complete exemptions. This is expected to ease household expenses, particularly on food staples, healthcare essentials, and education-related goods like stationery.

On the other hand, the government has increased GST rates on high-end items such as SUVs, luxury apparel, coal, and sin products like cigarettes and pan masala. Officials said the move is designed to balance consumer affordability with the need to discourage harmful consumption patterns and strengthen government revenue.

By bringing down taxes on daily essentials and hiking rates for premium and non-essential goods, the Council seeks to create a fairer and more balanced indirect tax regime.

✅ What Gets Cheaper

• UHT milk, paneer, parathas, roti, pizza bread, khakhra
• Butter, ghee, cheese, jams, sauces, soups, pasta, namkeens, confectionery
• Dry fruits (almonds, pistachios)
• Life-saving medicines, medical devices, diagnostic kits
• Toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, shaving items, hair oil, candles, stationery
• Cement, tractors, bicycles, small cars, EVs, ambulances

❌ What Gets Costlier

• Pan masala, cigarettes, soft drinks, caffeinated beverages
• SUVs, large cars, motorcycles above 350cc
• Yachts, private aircraft, pistols, revolvers
• Coal, biodiesel (not blended with diesel)
• Premium apparel above ₹2,500