New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that a new phase of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms will take effect from September 22, marking what he called a “new chapter” in India’s tax regime.
The rollout coincides with the beginning of Navratri, which the Prime Minister described as symbolic of fresh beginnings.
Addressing the nation, Modi said the reforms would ease the burden on citizens and businesses while accelerating economic growth.
“From sunrise on September 22, a new chapter in India’s tax regime will begin. This GST Savings Festival will benefit the poor, the middle class, women, youth, and small enterprises,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the new GST structure is expected to increase household savings and make goods more affordable, especially during the festive season.
“With these reforms, people’s savings will rise, and they will be able to purchase their preferred items more easily. This festive season, happiness will multiply,” he added.
Recalling the pre-GST era, Modi said India’s tax system had long been weighed down by multiple levies such as excise duty, VAT, and octroi, which complicated trade and pushed costs onto consumers.
He cited a 2014 news report that illustrated how transporting goods between Bengaluru and Hyderabad was more complex and costly than exporting them to Europe.
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The prime minister underlined that the GST reform launched in 2017—after extensive consultations between the Centre and states—was a landmark achievement in simplifying the tax regime.
“It was the result of collective effort that the dream of One Nation, One Tax became a reality,” he said.
Looking ahead, Modi described reforms as an evolving process.
“Reform is continuous. As times change, so must our systems. Tomorrow marks a new beginning,” he said, highlighting that the new GST measures are designed to streamline compliance, reduce costs, and empower every section of society.
