Number of Jan Dhan accounts crosses 55 crore, FM Sitharaman tells banks to reach out more

Explained: How GST rate rejig is going to boost businesses, empower common man

"Food preparations not elsewhere specified will attract a GST rate of 5 per cent. Bread was already exempt, while pizza bread, roti, porotta, paratha, etc., attracted different rates. All Indian breads, by whatever name called, have been exempted even though only a few goods have been mentioned by way of illustrative example," the ministry said. 4 hours ago
Goods to turn cheaper as GST Council brings more consumer items under lower tax rates

What's expensive, what's cheaper as GST Council brings more consumer items under lower tax rates

The GST Council, comprising state Finance Ministers with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the Chairperson, which met here on Wednesday, has also decided to finalise the rollout of a simplified GST regime with only two tax slabs of 5 and 18 per cent. However, the government has decided to keep the higher slab of 40 per cent on sin goods such as cigarettes, tobacco, sugary drinks and luxury goods that are bought by the high-income groups. 18 hours ago
Stock market ends volatile session slightly lower ahead of GST Council meet

Stock market ends volatile session slightly lower ahead of GST Council meet

Sensex closed at 80,157.88, down 206.61 points or 0.26 per cent. The 30-share index started the session with a decent gap-up at 80,520.09 against last session's closing of 80,157.88, buoyed by the affirmative SCO summit and strong GST collection data. The index escalated further to touch an intra-day high at 80,761.14; however, it fell into negative territory amid profit booking. 1 day ago
Over 150 products may see rate cut in GST Council meet this week

Over 150 products may see rate cut in GST Council meet this week

The proposals to move various items from the 12 per cent and 18 per cent GST slabs to the 5 per cent slab or to the nil GST category aim to reduce the tax burden for households and boost spending. GST council plans to overhaul the rate structure, replacing the current four-rate structure with a two-rate structure. 1 day ago
Indian stock market opens lower amid mixed global cues

Sensex, Nifty open marginally higher ahead of key GST meet

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty media was the top gainer, rising 0.82 per cent, followed by Nifty Oil & Gas, which gained 0.34 per cent each. Nifty FMCG advanced 0.20 per cent. All other indices were in red, with Nifty IT losing 0.42 per cent. 2 days ago
India's growth to remain healthy in FY26 amid robust domestic consumption, govt spending

Morgan Stanley ups India's GDP growth forecast, expects cut in GST to spur demand

The report also highlighted that the strong monsoon and the kharif sowing levels indicate resilience in the agricultural sector, and should likely support buoyant agricultural growth going forward. For the financial year 2025-26, Morgan Stanley has revised its real GDP growth upwards to 6.7 per cent year-on-year from 6.2 per cent projected earlier. 2 days ago
Nifty could touch 27,609 in the next 12 months: Report

Nifty could touch 27,609 in the next 12 months: Report

The data compiled by PL Capital in its latest India strategy report said multiple factors, including benign inflation, government tax cuts, normal monsoons, and recent rate reductions by the Reserve Bank of India, are creating conditions for broad-based consumption growth. 8 days ago
GST Authority sends tax demand, penalty of over Rs 40 cr to Eternal

GST Authority sends tax demand, penalty of over Rs 40 cr to Eternal

"The Company has received 3 orders on 25 August 2025 for the period July 2017 to March 2020 passed by Joint Commissioner, Appeals-4, Bengaluru, confirming total demand of GST of Rs 17,19,11,762 with interest of Rs 21,42,14,791 and penalty of Rs 1,71,91,177, " Eternal said in an exchange filing. 9 days ago
Indian stock market ends lower amid US tariff jitters, Sensex declines 765 points

GST Reforms Fuel Market Confidence Despite Global Headwinds

"However, the rally lost momentum toward the end of the week as investors turned cautious due to profit booking and external headwinds. A spike in the 10-year Indian government bond yield also raised concerns about the fiscal position in light of the GST reforms," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Ltd. 12 days ago
Indian stock market opens higher, Sensex above 83,400

Indian stock market ends higher amid GST rate overhaul

Sensex closed at 82,000.71, up 142.97 points or 0.17 per cent. Continuing the rally for the fourth consecutive session, the 30-share index opened with a decent gap-up at 82,220.46 against last session's closing of 81,857.84. However, the index remained range-bound amid profit booking in the Auto and FMCG sectors. 13 days ago
Include mobile phones in 5 pc GST slab of essential goods: Industry

Include mobile phones in 5% GST slab of essential goods: Industry

"The mobile phone is no longer an aspirational good; it is an essential digital infrastructure for education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and governance. It should rightly be taxed at 5 per cent GST, in line with the Prime Minister's GST reform agenda and his vision of a $500 billion electronics ecosystem," said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA. 15 days ago
Explained: Structural GST reforms to bring rate rationalisation, ease of living

Explained: Structural GST reforms to bring rate rationalisation, ease of living

"The Central Government is proposing major reforms in GST to build an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' by focussing on structural reforms, rate rationalisation, and ease of living," PM Modi said. Reforms also aim to reduce classification disputes, correct inverted duty structures in specific sectors, ensure greater rate stability, and improve ease of doing business, an official release said. 19 days ago