By Abhro Banerjee,News18

Copyright news18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that this year’s Navratri carries special significance, coinciding with the GST Savings Festival.
In a post on X, he mentioned that the celebrations will infuse fresh energy into the spirit of Swadeshi, underscoring the importance of adopting indigenous products and practices during the festive season.

इस बार नवरात्रि का यह शुभ अवसर बहुत विशेष है। GST बचत उत्सव के साथ-साथ स्वदेशी के मंत्र को इस दौरान एक नई ऊर्जा मिलने वाली है। आइए, विकसित और आत्मनिर्भर भारत के संकल्प की सिद्धि के लिए सामूहिक प्रयासों में जुट जाएं।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2025

The Prime Minister also urged citizens to contribute collectively towards the vision of a developed and self-reliant India. Linking the festive occasion with the broader national goal, he called on people to channel their efforts into strengthening the country’s economic and social fabric through unity and shared resolve.
Kitchen staples to electronics, medicines to automobiles — a wide range of goods will turn cheaper from today as revised GST rates on nearly 375 items come into effect.
The GST Council, comprising the Centre and states, had decided to slash tax rates on several goods and services from September 22, coinciding with the start of Navratri. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address on the eve of the rollout, termed it a “GST Bachat Utsav (savings festival)” and said the move, along with the hike in income tax exemption to ₹12 lakh announced in the Budget, would provide a “double bonanza” for consumers.
Modi announced that GST will now operate with just two slabs—5% and 18%. Everyday essentials such as food items, medicines, soap, toothpaste, as well as health and life insurance, will either be tax-free or taxed at the lowest 5% rate. He added that the combined benefit of GST cuts and higher I-T exemption will help households save up to ₹2.5 lakh crore annually.
“This is a double bonanza for the poor, the neo-middle class and the middle class. With reduced GST, it will become easier for families to fulfil their aspirations,” the Prime Minister said.
From Monday, mass-consumption items like ghee, paneer, butter, namkeen, ketchup, jam, dry fruits, coffee, and ice creams, along with aspirational products such as TVs, ACs, and washing machines, will see price cuts. Several FMCG companies have already announced reductions in line with GST rationalisation.
Healthcare costs are also set to decline, with GST on most drugs, formulations, and medical devices — including glucometers and diagnostic kits — brought down to 5%. The construction sector will benefit too, as GST on cement has been cut to 18% from 28%.