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GST Rate Chart 2025-26: Complete GST Rates for All Items

GST operates on five slabs: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% (plus compensation cess on luxury/sin goods). Essential food items are nil-rated. Most services fall at 18%. Luxury goods like vehicles, tobacco, and aerated drinks attract 28% + cess. This chart covers 50+ major items updated for FY 2025-26 including January 2025 GST Council changes.
5 Slabs
GST uses five rate slabs: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%. Most common consumer goods fall at 5% or 12%. Most services are at 18%. Luxury items attract 28% + compensation cess. Gold is specially taxed at 3%.
0% — Nil / Exempt 5% — Essential 12% — Standard Low 18% — Standard 28% — Luxury / Sin

GST Rate Chart — Food & Beverages

ItemHSNGST RateNotes
Rice, wheat, cereals (unbranded)1006 / 10010%Branded packaged: 5%
Pulses / dal (unbranded)07130%Branded: 5%
Fresh vegetables & fruits07 / 080%Frozen/packaged vegetables: 5%
Milk (liquid, unprocessed)04010%Flavoured milk: 12%
Eggs (fresh)04070%
Bread (plain, unpackaged)19050%Packaged bread: 5%
Salt25010%All types
Sugar17015%
Edible oil (all types)1507–15185%Sunflower, mustard, palm, etc.
Packaged/processed food210612%Instant noodles, sauces, etc.
Biscuits (all types)190518%Reduced from 28% in 2018
Chocolate & cocoa products180618%
Popcorn (salted / plain)20085%Pre-packaged & labelled: 12%
Caramelised popcorn170418%Revised Jan 2025 GST Council
Aerated drinks / soft drinks220228% + 12% cessLuxury/sin goods
Restaurant services (non-AC)99635%No ITC for restaurant
Restaurant services (AC / 5-star)99635%Reduced from 18% in 2017

GST Rate Chart — Clothing & Textiles

ItemHSNGST RateNotes
Readymade garments (up to ₹1,000)6101–61175%MRP-based threshold
Readymade garments (above ₹1,000)6101–611712%MRP-based threshold
Cotton fabrics5208–52125%
Silk fabrics50075%
Synthetic / man-made fibre fabric5512–55165%
Footwear (up to ₹1,000)6401–64065%MRP-based
Footwear (above ₹1,000)6401–640618%Revised from 12% Oct 2021
Leather bags / handbags420218%

GST Rate Chart — Electronics & Appliances

ItemHSNGST RateNotes
Mobile phones / smartphones851718%Reduced from 12% in 2020
Laptops / computers847118%
Television sets852818%
Refrigerators / washing machines8418 / 845018%
Air conditioners841528%Luxury category
Solar panels / modules854112%Reduced to support green energy
LED lights & fixtures940512%Reduced from 28%
Electric vehicles (EVs)87035%Concession to promote EVs

GST Rate Chart — Vehicles & Transport

ItemHSNGST RateCess
Small petrol cars (< 1200cc, <4m)870328%1%
Small diesel cars (< 1500cc, <4m)870328%3%
Mid-size / large cars870328%15–20%
SUVs (length >4m, engine >1500cc)870328%22%
Two-wheelers (>350cc)871128%3%
Electric vehicles (cars & 2W)8703 / 87115%Nil
Tractors870112%Nil

GST Rate Chart — Medicines & Healthcare

ItemHSNGST RateNotes
Human blood, vaccines30020%Essential healthcare
Medicines (most formulations)300412%Including branded & generic
Diagnostic kits / reagents382212%
Medical devices / instruments901812%BP monitors, stethoscopes
Hospital services99930%Exempt
Plastic syringes901812%
Ayurvedic medicines (licensed)300312%

GST Rate Chart — Services

ServiceSACGST RateNotes
Banking & financial services997118%Fees, charges, commissions
Insurance premiums997118%Term life: 18%; ULIP: varies
Telecom services (mobile, internet)998418%
IT & software services998318%
Professional services (CA, lawyer)998218%
Hotel stay (room rent > ₹7,500)996318%Up to ₹7,500: 12%; up to ₹1,000: nil
Air travel (economy)99645%Business class: 12%
Train tickets (AC class)99645%Sleeper: nil; first class: 5%
Education services99920%Exempt (schools, colleges)
Health & fitness club999518%
Movie tickets (> ₹100)999618%Up to ₹100: 12%
Construction (affordable housing)995412%PMAY / govt. scheme
Works contract (commercial)995418%

GST Rate Chart — Precious Metals, Construction & Other

ItemHSNGST RateNotes
Gold (jewellery & bullion)7108 / 71133%Special rate outside 5 slabs
Silver (jewellery & bullion)7106 / 71143%
Diamonds (rough)71020.25%Special rate
Cement (all types)252328%Highest for construction
Steel TMT bars / rebar721318%
Ceramic / vitrified tiles690718%
Plywood441212%
Tobacco products240228% + cessCess varies by product type
Coal27015%
Crude petroleum / petrol / diesel2709 / 2710Outside GSTGoverned by excise & VAT
Alcohol for human consumptionOutside GSTState excise duty applies
Fertilisers3102–31055%Agricultural support
Pesticides / agro-chemicals380818%
Books & printed material49010%Newspapers: 0%

Frequently Asked Questions

How are GST rates determined and who decides them?
GST rates are decided by the GST Council — a constitutional body under Article 279A comprising the Union Finance Minister (chairperson) and state finance ministers. The Council meets periodically to review and revise rates. Rates are notified through Central Tax (Rate) notifications by the Central Government, mirrored by states. Rate changes typically take effect from the date specified in the notification. The Council follows a consensus-based approach and has revised rates in 50+ meetings since GST's launch in July 2017.
What is the difference between HSN and SAC codes under GST?
HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) codes are used for goods — a 4 to 8 digit international classification system. SAC (Services Accounting Code) codes are used for services — a 6 digit code under GST. Businesses with turnover above ₹5 crore must use 6-digit HSN codes on invoices. Businesses between ₹1.5 crore and ₹5 crore use 4-digit HSN codes. Businesses below ₹1.5 crore are exempt from mentioning HSN. SAC codes always start with 99.
What is the difference between zero-rated supply and exempt supply under GST?
Zero-rated supply (Section 16 IGST Act) means the supply is taxed at 0% AND the supplier can claim full ITC. This applies to exports and supplies to SEZ units. Exempt supply means the supply is not taxable, BUT the supplier CANNOT claim ITC on inputs used for exempt supplies. ITC on inputs used for exempt supplies must be reversed. Examples: exports = zero-rated; fresh vegetables = exempt. The distinction matters significantly for ITC eligibility — zero-rated suppliers get refunds; exempt suppliers cannot.
How often does the GST Council revise rates? When was the last major revision?
The GST Council has met over 55 times since July 2017 and revises rates in almost every meeting. Major revisions happened in: 2018 (reduced rates on 100+ items), 2021 (rate rationalisation for textiles and footwear), 2022 (rate changes on several items), January 2025 (caramelised popcorn raised to 18%, new insurance rules). For FY 2025-26, key updates include: caramel popcorn at 18%, clarifications on insurance products, and continued rationalisation towards fewer slabs — 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%.
How do I find the correct GST rate for a product or service?
To find the correct GST rate: (1) Identify the HSN code for goods or SAC code for services. (2) Check the CBIC Rate Finder at cbic-gst.gov.in or the GST Portal. (3) Search the Central Tax (Rate) notification schedules — Schedule I (nil rate), Schedule II (5%), Schedule III (12%), Schedule IV (18%), Schedule V (28%). (4) For services, check the Services Rate Notification No. 11/2017-CT(R). (5) When in doubt, seek an Advance Ruling from the GST Authority for Advance Rulings in your state for legal certainty.

Last updated: 3 June 2026