GST Rates in India 2024 – List of Goods and Service Tax Rates, Slabs & Revisions

What are GST Rates?

GST rates refer to the tax percentages applied to the sale of goods and services under India’s Goods and Services Tax system. These GST rates lists are divided into four main GST slabs: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, ensuring that essential goods are taxed lower while luxury items fall under higher tax rates. The GST framework aims to maintain fairness in taxation by categorizing products and services based on their necessity or luxury status.

New GST Rates List in India for 2024

The GST rates in India for 2024 are categorized as follows: 0% for essential items, 5% for basic necessities, 12% for standard goods, 18% for most consumer products, and 28% for luxury and sin goods. According to the Press Information Bureau, the GST Council has made the following new rate recommendations:

Category	Old GST Rates	New GST Rates
Railways Goods and Parts under Chapter 86	12%	18%
Pens	12%	18%
Metal Concentrates and Ores	5%	18%
Certain Renewable Energy Devices	5%	12%
Recorded media reproduction and print	12%	18%
Broadcasting, sound recordings, and licensing	12%	18%
Printed material	12%	18%
Packing containers and boxes	12%	18%
Scrap and polyurethanes	5%	18%
Namkeens & Extruded/Expanded Savoury Food Products	18%	12%
Certain Cancer Drugs	12%	5%
Car & Motorcycle Seats	18%	28%

 

Latest GST Rate List Revisions in 54th GST Council Meeting 2024

The 54th GST Council meeting was held on 09 September, 2024, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Several key recommendations were made regarding changes to the existing GST rates list.

Decreased GST Rates List

• Namkeens & Extruded/Expanded Savoury Food Products: GST rate reduced from 18% to 12% on extruded/expanded products (except un-fried/un-cooked snack pellets).
• Cancer Drugs: GST rates on Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab reduced from 12% to 5%.
• Flying Training Courses: Approved flying training courses by DGCA-exempted from GST.
• Supply of Research & Development Services: Exempted for Government Entities, Universities, and notified institutions.

Increased GST Rates List

• Car & Motorcycle Seats: GST rates on car seats increased from 18% to 28% to align with motorcycle seats.
• Roof Mounted Package Unit (RMPU) for Railways: Clarified classification under HSN 8415 with a GST rate of 28%.

Other Key GST Revisions List

• Metal Scrap: Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) introduced for unregistered suppliers, with TDS of 2% on B2B transactions.
• Life and Health Insurance: Group of Ministers (GoM) to review GST issues and report by October 2024.
• Transport by Helicopters: GST rate set at 5% on seat-sharing basis for passengers; charter services remain at 18%.
• Rental of Commercial Property: Brought under RCM for unregistered suppliers.

Latest GST Slab Rates for Goods and Services in 2024

The GST system in India is designed with multiple GST slab rates (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%) to ensure a fair and equitable tax structure. These GST slab rates account for the nature of the goods or services, their essentiality, and the income levels of the consumers. 

Essential items, such as food products, fall under lower GST slab rate, while luxury goods and services attract higher GST rates. This tiered approach helps balance revenue generation for the government while minimizing the tax burden on essential items for consumers.

Let’s explore the various goods and services under each slab in detail.

List of Goods with a 0% GST Slab Rate

Below are the goods with a 0% GST rate list, including goods that are exempt from GST. This list includes GST-exempt items such as GST on milk, eggs, books, and more:

List of Goods	HSN Code	Latest GST Rate
Milk	401	0%
Egg	407	0%
Unpacked Rice	1006	0%
Unpacked Curd	403	0%
Unpacked Lassi	403	0%
Unpacked Buttermilk	403	0%
Kajal	3304	0%
Unpacked foodgrains	1001 to 1106	0%
Unpacked paneer	406	0%
Gur (jaggery)	1701 or 1702	0%
Unpacked Natural honey	409	0%
Fresh vegetables	0701 to 714	0%
Fresh Fruits	0803 to 0810	0%
Nuts	802	0%
Fresh and Chilled Meat of bovine animals	201	0%
Salt	2501	0%
Unbranded atta (flour)	1101 to 1106	0%
Prasad (offerings made to deities)	2106	0%
Unroasted Coffee Beans	901	0%
Unprocessed Green Leaves of Tea	902	0%
Fresh Ginger	0910 11 10	0%
Fresh Turmeric	0910 30 10	0%
Sanitary Napkins	961900	0%

List of Services with a 0% GST Rate

Below are the services with a 0% GST rate list, including GST on certain education services, certain insurance, and more:

List of Services	HSN Code	GST Rate
Educational Services: Charitable Trusts, Government and Local Authorities	Heading 9992 or Heading 9963	0%
Services of General Insurance Business Provided Under Certain Schemes	Heading 9971 or Heading 9991	0%
Health Care Services	Heading 9993	0%
Services Provided by a Goods Transport Agency	Heading 9965 or Heading 9967	0%
Public Transport: Non-AC, non-premium class public transportation services	Heading 9964	0%
Agriculture: Services related to cultivation, harvesting, plant protection, etc.	998619	0%
Services provided by RBI (Reserve Bank of India)	–	0%
Services by Religious trusts	–	0%
Charitable Activities: Services by Entities registered under section 12AA	–	0%

List of Goods with a 5% GST Rate

Below are the goods subject to a 5% GST rate list, which includes essential items like packaged food, edible oils, and more:

List of Goods	HSN Code	GST Rate
Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk	0401	5%
Milk Food For Babies	0402	5%
Yoghurt	0403	5%
Pre-Packaged and Labelled Curd, Lassi, Buttermilk	0403	5%
Skins and Parts of Birds like Feathers	0505	5%
Beet Sugar, Cane Sugar, Jaggery	1701, 1702, 1704	5%
Roasted Coffee Beans	0901	5%
Processed Tea	0902	5%
Packed Paneer	0406	5%
Spices	0906 to 0910	5%
Packed and Labelled Rice	1006	5%
All Packed Cereals	10	5%
Coal	2701	5%
All Types of Edible Oils	1507 to 1518	5%
Raisins	0806	5%
Domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)	2711 12 00, 2711 13 00, 2711 19 00	5%
PDS kerosene (public distribution system kerosene)	2710	5%
Cashew Nuts	0801, 0802, 0813	5%
Fabric	500, 5111 to 5113 & 5208 to 5212	5%
Products of coir	5609	5%
Apparel and clothing accessories of sales value not exceeding INR 1000	61 or 6501 or 6505	5%
Glass Beads	7018	5%
Charger or  Charging Station for EV Operated Vehicles	8504	5%
Fishery Products	8902	5%

List of Services with a 5% GST Rate

Below is the latest 2024 list of services subject to a 5% GST rate, including services like restaurant, job work services, and more:

List of Services	HSN Code	GST Rate
Housekeeping Services Like Plumbing, Carpentering, etc	Heading 9954	5%
Restaurant Services	Heading 9963	5%
Outdoor Catering Services	Heading 9963	5%
Printing of Newspapers, Books, etc…	Heading 9988	5%

 

List of Goods with a 12% GST Rate

Below is the latest list of goods subject to a 12% GST rate, including products like butter, ghee, and bricks:

List of Goods	HSN Code	GST Rate
Condensed milk	0402 91 10, 0402 99 20	12%
Butter	0405	12%
Cheese	0406	12%
Nuts and Dried Dates	0801, 0802, 0804	12%
Dried Citrus Fruit	0805	12%
Fats of Bovine Animals	1502	12%
Sausages	1601	12%
Refined Sugar Cubes	1701 91 , 1701 99	12%
Packed Paneer	0406	12%
All Edibles Prepared  or  Preserved by by Vinegar or Acetic Acid	2002	12%
Packed and Labelled Tender Coconut Water	2009 89 90	12%
Diabetic foods	2106 90 91	12%
Packed Drinking Water in 20 Litre Bottles	2201	12%
Marble and Granite Blocks	2515, 1210, 2516	12%
Rubber bands	4016	12%
Hand bags and shopping bags, of cotton and Jute	4202 22 20, 4202 22 30	12%
Idols of Wood, Stone and Non-Precious Metals	44, 68, 83	12%
Tableware and Kitchenware of wood	4419	12%
Footwear   of   Sale    Value    Not Exceeding Rs.1000 Per Pair	64	12%
Building Bricks	6904 10 00	12%

 

Related Read: GST on Bricks in 2024 – Latest Rates, HSN Codes, & Key Changes

List of Services with a 12% GST Rate

Below is the latest 2024 list of services subject to a 12% GST rate, including GST on construction, certain transportation, and more:

List of Services	HSN Code	GST Rate
Construction of an apartment	Heading 9954	12%
Hotel accommodation	Heading 9963	12%
Transport of passengers by Air	Heading 9964	12%
Business Services for mining, petroleum crude or natural gas.	Heading 9983	12%

List of Goods with a 18% GST Rate

Below is the latest list of goods subject to an 18% GST rate, including GST on mobile,  cosmetics, electronics, and some packaged foods:

List of Goods	HSN Code	GST Rate
Mobile Phones	8517	18%
Malt	1107	18%
Vegetable saps and extracts	1302	18%
Glycerol	1520 00 00	18%
Waxes	1521	18%
Chemically Pure Lactose, Maltose, Glucose and Fructose	1702	18%
Chocolate and Cocoa Products	1804 to 1806	18%
Pastry Items	1905	18%
Ice cream	2105 00 00	18%
Non – Alcoholic Beverages	2202 91 00, 2202 99 90	18%
Products Containing Nicotine	2404 12 00	18%
Ores and Concentrates	2601 to 2610	18%
Mineral or chemical fertilisers	3102 to 3105	18%
Perfumes and toilet waters	3303	18%

List of Services with a 18% GST Slab Rate

Below is the latest list of services subject to an 18% GST slab rate, including services like telecom services, rental services, etc.:

List of Services	HSN Code	GST Rate
Construction Of Commercial Apartments	Heading 9954	18%
Services In Retail Trade	Heading 9962	18%
Services In Wholesale Trade	Heading 9961	18%
Rental Services Of Transport Vehicles	Heading 9966	18%
Postal And Courier Services	Heading 9968	18%
Electricity, Gas, Water And Other Distribution Services	Heading 9969	18%

List of Goods with a 28% GST Rate

Below is the latest list of goods subject to a 28% GST rate, including items like luxury cars, aerated beverages, and tobacco products:

List of Goods	HSN Code	GST Rate
Caffeinated Beverages	2202 99 90	28%
Carbonated Beverages	2202	28%
Tobacco or Tobacco Substitutes	2402	28%
Cement	2523	28%
Air-conditioning Machines	8415	28%
Monitors and Projectors	8528	28%
Motor Vehicles	8701 to 8704	28%

List of Services with a 28% GST Rate

Below is the latest list of services subject to a 28% GST rate, including services like gaming, gambling, casinos, and luxury hotel accommodations:

List of Services	HSN Code	GST Rate
Services Provided by a Casinos and Race Club	Heading 9954	28%
Gambling	Heading 9963	28%

GST Rate Revisions in the GST Council Meetings

The GST Council, comprising the Union Finance Minister and the Finance Ministers of the states, plays a crucial role in determining and revising GST rates lists in India. This council not only establishes the initial GST rates but also periodically revises them to adapt to changing economic conditions and policy objectives.

GST Rate Revision in 53rd GST Council Meeting

The 53rd GST Council Meeting took place in June 2024, where several important decisions regarding GST rates were made.

Key GST rates revision 53rd GST Council Meeting:

• Uniform GST Rate for Milk Cans: A uniform GST rate of 12% has been announced for all milk cans, irrespective of the material, including steel, iron, or aluminum.
• Solar Cookers: The GST rate for all solar cookers, regardless of whether they utilize a single or dual energy source, has been set at 12%.
• Sprinklers: A 12% GST rate will now apply to all types of sprinklers, encompassing both fire and water sprinklers.
• Import of Aircraft Parts: A uniform 5% IGST will be levied on the import of parts, components, testing equipment, tools, and toolkits for aircraft, regardless of their HS classification.
• Exemptions for Indian Railways Services: The Council has exempted several GST rates on services provided by Indian Railways, including:
  • Sale of platform tickets
  • Access to retiring rooms/waiting rooms
  • Cloakroom services
  • Battery-operated car services
  • Intra-railway transactions are also now exempt.
• Exemption for Hostel Accommodation: Hostel accommodation services will be exempt from GST under specific conditions. Students and working professionals residing in off-campus hostels for a continuous period of 90 days and paying a monthly rent of INR 20,000 per person are eligible for this exemption.

GST Rate Revision in 52nd GST Council Meeting

The 52nd GST Council Meeting took place on 7th October 2023.

Here are the key GST rates list revisions:

• No GST on Personal Guarantees: It was clarified that personal guarantees offered by directors to banks against loans sanctioned to companies would not be subject to GST.

• District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT): DMFTs in mineral mining are eligible for the same GST exemptions as other government authorities.
• Job Work Services for Barley to Malt: Job work services processing barley into malt will attract 5% GST instead of 18%, classifying it as “job work in relation to food and food products.”

• Millet Flour: Millet flour blended with any other atta (with 70% millet composition) will attract 0% GST if sold loose and 5% GST if pre-packaged and labeled.
• GST on Molasses: The GST rate on molasses has been reduced from 28% to 5%.
• ENA for Industrial Use: ENA for industrial use will attract 18% GST, categorized under a separate tariff HS code.
• Imitation Zari Thread: Imitation zari thread or yarn made from metallized polyester film or plastic film (HS 5605) will attract 5% GST without refund due to inversion.

• Exemption on Water Supply Services: GST has been exempted on water supply services and public health services supplied to government authorities, including composite services with up to 25% of the above services.
• Exemption on Services to Governments: Pure and composite services provided to Central/State/UT governments and local authorities for Panchayat/Municipality functions are exempted from GST.

GST Rate Revision in 51st GST Council Meeting

During the 51st GST Council Meeting, held on 2nd August 2023, several key discussions and clarifications were made regarding the taxation of online gaming and casinos.

Here are the key GST rates list revisions:

• The 28% GST on the full face value of actionable claims in casinos, online gaming, and horse racing will remain unchanged, regardless of whether the game is considered one of skill or chance.
• A provision will be added to the IGST Act, 2017, to ensure that suppliers of online money gaming located outside India are liable to pay GST for services provided to persons in India, facilitating a simplified registration scheme.

The CGST Rules, 2017 will be amended to include specific provisions for the valuation of online gaming supplies and actionable claims in casinos.

GST Rate Revision in 50th GST Council Meeting

During this meeting, held on 11th July 2023, several key revisions were made to the existing GST rate list.

The detailed GST updates of the meeting are outlined below.

Items	Old Rate	New Rate
Cancer-Related Medicine	–	Exempt
Imitation Zari Thread	12%	5%
Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP)	–	Exempt
Unfried, Uncooked, and Extruded Snack Palettes	18%	5%
Medicines for Rare Diseases	–	Exempt
LD Slag	18%	5%
Beverages in Cinema Halls	18%	5%
Casinos & Horse Racing	18%	28%
Fish Soluble Paste	18%	5%

 

Besides this, the council recommended reducing the late fee for delayed filing of GSTR-3B returns for small businesses with nil tax liability.

GST Rate Revision in 49th GST Council Meeting

The 49th meeting of the GST Council convened on 18th February 2023 in Delhi. During the meeting, it was announced that the states in India would receive clearance of compensation cess for June 2022, alongside introducing rate reductions for specific items.

Items	Old Rate	New Rate
Pencil Sharpener	18%	12%
Rab	18%	5% (if prepackaged else Nil)

 

List of items that have become expensive and cheaper.

Costly Items	Cheaper Items
Court-related services Guthka Pan Masala Chewing Tobacco	Liquid Jaggery Data loggers Coal rejects Pencil sharpener Entrance exam fee organised by NTA

GST Rate Revision in 48th GST Council Meeting

At the 48th Council meeting, eight of the fifteen agenda points were deliberated upon, covering topics such as data sharing. The remaining matters encompass revenue enhancement, the establishment of a GST appellate tribunal, and taxation on pan and Gutkha.

Notably, the GST rates have been reduced for the following items:

Items	Old Rate	New Rate
Mentha arvensis sale	No RCM	Under RCM
Cattle feed, including chuni or churi, khanda, chilka, pulse husks, and concentrates	5%	Nil
Retailed to refineries ethyl alcohol	18%	5%

 

The rate adjustments were influenced by various factors, including the need to stimulate economic growth, rationalise the tax structure, and address revenue considerations.

Cement, footwear, hotels, and textile and apparel are some sectors that have benefited from this meeting.

GST Rate Revision in 47th GST Council Meeting

On 13 July 2022, the Central Government issued nine notifications from 3/22 to 11/22. New GST rates took effect on 18 July 2022.

Let’s look at more details.

1. Items With Increased Prices

Due to the rate revisions mentioned below, certain items experienced price increases.

Items	Old GST Rate	New GST Rate
Tetra packs	12%	18%
Polished and cut diamonds	0.25%	1.50%
Tar	5%, 18%	18%

2. Items With Decreased Prices

The key reductions announced in this meeting, that make the products cheaper are:

Items	Old GST Rate	New GST Rate
Importing Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) pills	5%	Nil
Importation of specific defence products	Applicable rates	Nil
Ostomy Appliances	12%	5%
Orthopaedic appliances	12%	5%
Ropeway transportation of cargo and person	18%	5%
Renting cost of a truck or goods wagon, with fuel	18%	12%

3. Elimination of GST Exemptions

The 47th GST Council Meeting also focused on eliminating certain GST exemptions. This move aimed to simplify the tax structure and promote uniformity.

Some exemptions that were removed include:

Items	New Rate
Any type of printed map	12%
Parts of goods of heading 8801	18%
Cheques, lose or in book form	18%
Room rent (excluding ICU) is over ₹5,000 per patient per day.	5%
Hotel stays up to ₹1,000 per day	12%
Bio-medical waste treatment facilities	12%

4. Correction of Inverted Tax Structure

Another noteworthy aspect of the meeting was correcting the inverted tax structure in specific sectors or industries. The inverted tax structure occurs when the tax rate on inputs is higher than that on finished goods, leading to a blockage of input tax credit. The corrective measures taken during this meeting aim to streamline taxation and reduce compliance burdens.

Products	Old rate	New rate
Solar water heaters	5%	12%
Finished, composition, or composition leathers	5%	12%
Job for processing of hides, skins, leather, making of identical products, and clay brick manufacturing	5%	12%
Engagements and subcontracts involving earthwork undertaken with central, state, union territories, and local governmental bodies.	5%	12%
Air-based wet grinder, atta chakki, sorting, washing, or grading equipment for grain pulses and seeds	5%	18%
Ink for writing, drawing, and printing	12%	18%
Dairy machinery	12%	18%
Lights and fixture	12%	18%
Marking out instruments	12%	18%
Paper knives, pencil sharpeners, and cutting blades	12%	18%

GST Rate Revision in 45th GST Council Meeting

The 45th GST council meeting was held on 17th September 2021 and the following decisions had been taken revolving around the GST rates.

Category	Old Rate	New Rate
Railway goods, locomotives, and parts	12%	18%
Pens	12%	18%
Metal concentrates and ores	5%	18%
Renewable energy devices	5%	12%
Printed material	12%	18%
Scrap and plastic waste	5%	18%

GST Rate Revision in 44th GST Council Meeting

The 44th GST council meeting was held on 12th June 2021 and the following decisions had been taken regarding the GST rates effective up to 30th September 2021.

Category	Old Rate	New Rate
Hand sanitisers	18%	5%
Equipment to check body temperature	18%	5%
Ambulances	28%	12%
Testing kits	12%	5%

GST Rate Revision in 43rd GST Council Meeting

• GST on the export of relief goods will be exempted and will stay in effect until 31 August 2021.
• GST on import of certain medicines are also placed under the exemption list.
• Any Covid-related relief item imported to donate to the government or any relief organization will be exempted from IGST till 31 August 2021.
• The Amnesty Scheme was announced by the finance minister to reduce late fee returns. Small taxpayers can file GST returns under this scheme.

GST Rate Revision in the 42nd GST Council Meeting

Here are the highlights of the meeting held on October 5, 2021.

• Small taxpayers with a turnover of less than ₹ 5 crore can now file quarterly GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 forms where the due date for GSTR-1 will be the 13th day of the month succeeding the quarter.
• For the auto-generation of GSTR-3B, a roadmap is prepared, where the details of the supplier’s GSTR-1 will help in auto-populating the ITC. Taxpayers will pay their GST through a simple challan.
• Taxpayers with a turnover of ₹ 5 crore and above will have to mention a 6-digit HSN code. A 4-digit HSN code is to be mentioned by taxpayers with a turnover of less than ₹ 5 crore.
• Sanitisers that are non-alcoholic will continue to be taxed at 18% GST.
• The compensation cess collected to date amounts to ₹ 20,000 crore. This amount was disbursed to specific states in India by 5 October 2020.

HSN and SAC System in GST Tax Classification

The HSN and SAC are crucial for classifying goods and services under GST, helping determine applicable GST rates and ensuring compliance.

HSN System

The HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) system, adopted by India in 1986, categorizes goods into 21 sections and 99 chapters, represented by six-digit codes, which can extend to eight digits for domestic use.

HSN Code Structure:

• First two digits: Chapter number
• Next two digits: Heading number
• Next two digits: Subheading number
• Last two digits: Further subheading number

For example, the HSN code for rice is 1006, which has a 5% GST rate. Errors in HSN codes can result in incorrect tax calculations and compliance issues.

SAC System

The SAC (Service Accounting Code) system classifies services under GST, developed by the CBEC, with 99 sections identified by two-digit codes.

SAC Code Structure:

• First two digits: Section number
• Next two digits: Chapter number
• Next two digits: Heading number
• Last two digits: Subheading number

Using the correct SAC codes is essential for determining GST rates and maintaining compliance.

Conclusion

The GST system is vital for consumers and businesses, making taxation easier by applying the same rates to goods and services. The GST has five different slabs, and some products may have extra cess. In 2024, the GST rates changed for some products, either increasing or decreasing them. These changes aimed to improve the tax system and boost the economy.

FAQs on GST Rates

1. How many GST slabs are there in India?

The GST rate list comprises four GST slabs, namely 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.

2. Who determines GST rates in India?

The GST Council determines the GST rates in India. This constitutional body comprises representatives from both the Central Government and the State Governments. The GST Council meets periodically to discuss and decide on various issues related to GST, including tax rates, exemptions, and administrative procedures.

3. What is the GST Percentage?

The GST percentage refers to the various tax slabs that apply to goods and services, which are 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.

4. What is the GST Rate on Laptops?

The GST rate on laptops is 18%.

​​5. What is The Highest Rate of GST?

The highest GST rate is 28%.

6. What are the 3 Types of GST?

The three types of GST are IGST, SGST, and CGST.

7. What is the GST Rate on TVs or Televisions?

The GST rate on TV or televisions in India is 18% to 28% based on the screen size.

8. What is the GST Rate on Gold in India?

The GST rate of gold in India is 3%.