Finance
Government Reduces GST on Essential Items
Authority
GST Council
GST Council
Published
10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026
Effective
01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026
The government has reduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essential items.
The government has reduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essential items, including food, healthcare, and education. The move is aimed at providing relief to consumers and boosting economic growth. The GST Council has decided to reduce the tax rate on essential items from 18% to 12%, and has also exempted some items from tax altogether. The decision will come into effect from September 1, 2026, and is expected to benefit millions of consumers. The government has also announced that it will review the GST rates on other items, and will make adjustments as necessary to ensure that the tax system is fair and equitable.