Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a nationwide celebration called “GST Utsav” on Sunday, tying it to the start of Navratri on Monday. He described it as a real “festival of savings” for everyday Indians, thanks to fresh GST reforms that slash prices on everyday goods.
In his evening address to the nation, Modi explained that starting September 22—the first day of Navratri—shoppers can snag their favorite items at lower costs with the new GST rates in place. “Next Gen GST reforms are rolling out tomorrow, making it like a ‘GST saving festival’,” he said. “From tomorrow, you can buy what you love with ease. This is a saving festival for every Indian.”
Modi highlighted how these changes deliver double wins for the poor and emerging middle class. He extended Navratri greetings and stressed that the GST updates will directly help common people, farmers, small businesses, middle-class families, women, and young folks.
The government unveiled these GST rate cuts back on September 4, targeting everything from cars to household essentials. It’s the biggest shake-up in indirect taxes since India launched the Goods and Services Tax (GST) back in July 2017.
Dubbed GST 2.0, the revamped system simplifies things with just two main slabs: 5 percent and 18 percent. Luxury items, sin goods like tobacco, and demerit products face a steep 40 percent rate. The GST Council approved these reforms at its 56th meeting, where central and state governments teamed up to reach agreement.
Modi’s office had teased the 5 p.m. speech on X earlier that day. Throughout his talk, he praised the teamwork between the central government and states, calling it a symbol of unity. These moves, he said, will make products more affordable, boost industries, and power up India’s economy overall.
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