Key GST Council Meeting Begins Today

GST Council Meeting Today: The GST Council meeting is starting from today. The eyes of the whole country are fixed on the two-day meeting of the GST Council starting today in New Delhi. This meeting is considered special because there can be major changes in the tax structure of GST. The government can take a big decision to reduce four tax slabs to two. This is considered to be the biggest reform after the implementation of GST in 2017.

According to the plan of the GST Council, now only two tax slabs 5% and 18% will be applicable in the country. The existing 12% and 28% slabs can be abolished.

In the circular issued last month by the Ex-Officio Secretary of the GST Council, the meeting of September 3-4 was told. At the same time, according to the notice of the Revenue Secretary, discussions were also held between the officials of the states and the central government on September 2 before this meeting.

Where on the one hand there is a preparation for major reform in the GST structure. On the other hand, the revenue collection figures are also encouraging. In August 2025, the GST collection was Rs 1.86 lakh crore, which is 6.5% more than last year. This figure indicates that the tax system in the country is getting stronger and along with this economic activities are also seeing a boom.

Separate slab of 40% for products like tobacco, cigarettes

A special proposal in the meeting is also that an additional tax slab of 40% should be fixed separately for tobacco, cigarettes, gutkha and other demerit (harmful) products. This is being called sin tax, which aims not only to increase revenue but also to control the consumption of these products. Luxury cars, high-end electronics and some special services can also come under this category. The additional revenue generated from this can be used in social welfare schemes.

How will this change affect the common people

Finance and policy experts believe that this structural change in GST will boost consumption in the market. On one hand, the business class will find it easier to comply with taxes. On the other hand, some products may become cheaper for consumers. According to political analysts, before GST, India's tax system was complex and scattered. Every state had different rules. This created obstacles in business. GST has worked to connect the whole country as a market. Now this change will be another strong step in that direction.