The 56th GST Council meeting was held on 3rd September 2025, in New Delhi, marking an important milestone in India’s indirect tax journey. Convened after a gap of six months, this meeting was crucial as it focused on the long-pending agenda items and the government’s commitment to implementing Next-Gen GST reforms.
Addressing the media, the Finance Minister stated:
“These reforms have been carried out with a focus on the common man. Every tax on the common man’s daily use items has gone through a rigorous review, and in most cases, the rates have come down drastically.”
The meeting resulted in several critical decisions, particularly around tax slab rationalization, exemptions, compliance processes, and dispute resolution. Below are the major highlights.
Key GST Rate Decisions
- The Council has approved a two-tier GST rate structure with a 5% merit rate and an 18% standard rate, while also introducing a 40% demerit rate for select goods.
- Exemption granted on life and health insurance premiums, reducing the tax burden for individuals.
- Tobacco and tobacco products will continue to attract 28% GST until the compensation liability (including loans and interest) is fully discharged.
- Apart from tobacco products, the revised GST rates for goods and services will be effective from 22nd September 2025.
- For tobacco and tobacco products, the Council recommended moving towards retail sale price (RSP)-based valuation instead of transaction value to improve compliance and revenue collection.
Compliance & Registration Reforms
- The simplification of GST registration was recommended, including a special scheme for small suppliers selling through e-commerce operators.
- The Council clarified that there is no change in the monthly GST return filing system for taxpayers.
- From 1st November 2025, the CBIC will implement a revised provisional refund system:
- 90% provisional refunds will be granted for inverted duty structure cases and zero-rated supplies.
- Refunds will be system-driven, based on data analysis and risk evaluation, improving speed and transparency.
- Exporters will benefit from the removal of the threshold limit for refunds on exports made with payment of tax, easing compliance burdens, especially for small exporters using post or courier.
Dispute Resolution & GSTAT
- The long-awaited Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) will be made operational in 2025.
- The Principal Bench of GSTAT will also serve as the National Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (NAAAR).
- Key deadlines:
- Appeals will be accepted until 30th September 2025.
- Hearings will commence before 31st December 2025.
- Backlog appeals must be filed by 30th June 2026.
This is expected to reduce litigation burdens and provide much-needed clarity for taxpayers.
Amendments in CGST Act
- Section 15 and 34 amendments bring significant changes:
- Removal of the requirement that discounts must be pre-agreed and linked to invoices.
- Provision for reversal of input tax credit (ITC) by the recipient when a supplier issues a GST credit note for a post-sale discount.
- A GST Circular will be issued soon to provide clarity on these amendments.
Place of Supply & Export Benefits
- The Council aligned the place of supply for intermediary services with the default IGST rule under Section 13(2).
- The place of supply will now be the location of the recipient of services, ensuring Indian service exporters can claim export benefits, thereby boosting competitiveness.
GST Rate Reductions:
| Category | Items | From (%) | To (%) |
| Daily Essentials | Hair Oil, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Toilet Soap Bar, Tooth Brushes, Shaving Cream | 18 | 5 |
| Butter, Ghee, Cheese & Dairy Spreads | 12 | 5 | |
| Pre-packaged Namkeens, Bhujia & Mixtures | 12 | 5 | |
| Utensils | 12 | 5 | |
| Feeding Bottles, Napkins for Babies & Clinical Diapers | 12 | 5 | |
| Sewing Machines & Parts | 12 | 5 | |
| Uplifting Farmers & Agriculture | Tractor tyres & parts | 18 | 5 |
| Small tractors (capacity < 1800 cc) | 12 | 5 | |
| Specified 12 bio-Pesticides and micro-Nutrients | 12 | 5 | |
| Drip Irrigation System & Sprinklers | 12 | 5 | |
| Agricultural, Horticultural or Forestry Machines (Soil Preparation, Cultivation, etc.) | 12 | 5 | |
| Healthcare Sector | Individual Health & Life Insurance | 18 | Exempted |
| Thermometer | 18 | 5 | |
| Medical Grade Oxygen | 12 | 5 | |
| All Diagnostic Kits & Reagents | 12 | 5 | |
| Glucometer & Test Strips | 12 | 5 | |
| Corrective Spectacles | 12 | 5 | |
| 33 drugs and medicines, listed in the press release | 12 | Nil | |
| Agalsidase Beta, Imiglucerase and Eptacog alfa activated recombinant coagulation factor VIIa drugs | 5 | Nil | |
| Drugs and medicines such as Faricimab, Pertuzumab, Fluticasone Furoate + Umeclidinium + Vilanterol FF/UMEC/VI, Ocrelizumab, and Brentuximab Vedotin | 12 | 5 | |
| Automobiles | Petrol & Petrol Hybrid, LPG, CNG Cars (≤1200cc & ≤4000mm) | 28 | 18 |
| Diesel & Diesel Hybrid Cars (≤1500cc & ≤4000mm) | 28 | 18 | |
| Three wheelers | 28 | 18 | |
| Motorcycles (≤350cc) | 28 | 18 | |
| Motor Vehicles for the transport of goods | 28 | 18 | |
| Education | Maps, Charts & Globes | 12 | Nil |
| Pencils, Sharpeners, Crayons & Pastels | 12 | Nil | |
| Exercise Books & Notebooks | 12 | Nil | |
| Eraser | 5 | Nil | |
| Electronic Appliances | Air Conditioners | 28 | 18 |
| Television (including LED & LCD TVs) | 28 | 18 | |
| Monitors & Projectors | 28 | 18 | |
| Dish Washing Machines | 28 | 18 |
GST Rate Hikes:
| Category | Item description | From (%) | To (%) |
| Mining | Coal, lignite, peat | 5 | 18 |
|
Sin goods |
Tobacco/pan masala* | 28 | 40 |
| Aerated waters | 28 | 40 | |
| Caffeinated beverages | 28 | 40 | |
| Carbonated beverages of fruit drinks / with fruit juice | 28 | 40 | |
| Other non‑alcoholic beverages | 18 | 40 | |
| Motor cars and larger hybrids (beyond small‑car thresholds) | 28 | 40 | |
| Motorcycles exceeding 350cc | 28 | 40 | |
| Aircraft for personal use | 28 | 40 | |
| Yachts and vessels for pleasure/sports | 28 | 40 | |
| Smoking pipes and cigarette/cigar holders | 28 | 40 | |
| Revolvers & pistols | 28 | 40 | |
| Admission to casinos, race clubs, and sporting events like IPL | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
| Licensing of bookmakers by race clubs | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
| Specified actionable claims (betting, casinos, gambling, horse racing, lottery, online money gaming) | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
| Leasing/rental without operator of goods attracting 40% GST | 28% with ITC | 40% with ITC | |
| Paper sector | Dissolving‑grade chemical wood pulp | 12 | 18 |
| Various papers/paperboards, other than exercise‑book paper | 12 | 18 | |
| Textiles | Apparel/Made‑ups > Rs 2,500 per piece | 12 | 18 |
| Quilted/cotton quilts and quilted products more than Rs.2,500 per piece | 12 | 18 |
* This change will be notified and implemented at a later date, not from 22nd September 2025, and only after the loan and interest obligations under the compensation cess have been fully settled.
Conclusion:
The 56th GST Council meeting marks a historic shift in India’s indirect tax framework with the move towards a simplified two-tier GST structure. By reducing multiple slabs and focusing on easing compliance, the reforms aim to benefit both businesses and the common man. While certain changes like GST exemption on insurance and simplified refund processes provide immediate relief, others such as tribunal operations and structural amendments will shape the long-term efficiency of GST in India. As the reforms roll out from 22nd September 2025, taxpayers and businesses must stay updated and compliant to take full advantage of these measures.