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46th GST Council meets Dec 31 to discuss merging 12 and 18 slabs
Economy
Published on 24 April 2026
Could essential items shift while revenues stay protected
The 46th GST Council meeting is set for Dec 31, with rate rationalisation on the agenda. India’s current four-tier structure (5, 12, 18, 28%) and separate cess on luxury and demerit items are facing calls to merge the 12% and 18% slabs and possibly move some items out of the exempt category to balance revenue impact.
- GST rates now split across 5, 12, 18 and 28% slabs
- Council will consider merging the 12% and 18% slabs
- Possible changes to exempt items may offset revenue loss
- Cess continues to apply on luxury and demerit goods
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times