Navratri Brings Double Celebration: GST Cuts Make Essentials, Electronics, and Vehicles Cheaper from Today
New GST Rates Live: Food, Medicines, Cars, And Electronics Cheaper From Today: As Na vratri festivities begin, the country welcomes a second wave of celebration with a major change in GST rates that promises direct relief to consumers. The GST Council’s recent decision to simplify tax slabs from four to two — 5% and 18%, along with a special 40% slab for luxury items, comes into effect starting today. This move aims to reduce the financial burden on the common man and boost consumer spending during the festive season.
Everyday items such as soap, powder, diapers, biscuits, ghee, coffee, and oil will now be available at lower prices. FMCG giants like Procter & Gamble, HUL, and Emami have promptly revised their price lists to pass on the benefits of the GST cuts. Medical expenses are also set to decrease, with glucometers and most medicines now falling under the 5% GST slab instead of the earlier 12% or 18%. Additionally, construction costs may ease, as the GST on cement has been reduced from 28% to 18%, offering relief to home builders and buyers alike.
Electronics and vehicles are also seeing price drops. TVs, ACs, refrigerators, and washing machines now attract just 18% GST instead of 28%, making them more affordable. The biggest change is for automobiles — small vehicles now fall under the 18% slab, while larger vehicles are taxed at a flat 40%, down from a combined rate of up to 50%. Meanwhile, services like salons, fitness clubs, and yoga centres will also become more budget-friendly with GST cut to 5%, though input tax credit will not be available. However, items like cigarettes, luxury bikes, soft drinks, and online gambling services will now attract the highest GST rate of 40%.
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