How many times has GST rate been changed since 2017?

The GST Council has revised rates in 56 meetings since July 2017. The most transformative change was the 56th Council Meeting (Sept 2025) — GST 2.0 — which simplified the 4-tier system to 2 core slabs (5% and 18%) plus a 40% luxury/sin slab. Earlier major changes: Nov 2017 (28% to 18% on 170+ items), July 2022 (removal of exemptions), and Dec 2024 (popcorn classification).

Why do I need to know historical GST rates?

Historical rates are critical for: (1) GST audits covering past periods, (2) Department assessments where old invoices are questioned, (3) Refund claims for inverted duty structure, (4) Credit notes for returns spanning a rate change period, and (5) Understanding whether you were charged the correct rate by suppliers.

Where does this data come from?

Rate changes are sourced from official GST Council meeting notifications, CBIC circulars, and gazette notifications. Each change references the specific council meeting number and notification.

GST Rate Change Timeline

Track how GST rates have changed since July 2017. Search by product name or HSN code to see the complete rate history — essential for audits, assessments, and refund claims.

Rate changes tracked

Rate reductions

Rate increases

22 September 202556th Council Meeting

3401Soaps and detergents

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

18%5%

3305Shampoos and hair oil

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

18%5%

3306Toothpaste and oral care

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

18%5%

1905Biscuits (all branded)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

18%5%

2106Packaged namkeens and snacks

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

12%5%

1806Chocolates and cocoa preparations

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

18%5%

1902Pasta and noodles

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

18%5%

0405Butter and ghee (branded)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

12%5%

8415Air conditioners

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%18%

8528Television sets (all sizes)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%18%

8418Refrigerators and freezers

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%18%

8450Washing machines

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%18%

8703Small cars (petrol <1200cc, diesel <1500cc)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%18%

8711Two-wheelers (up to 350cc)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%18%

8703Luxury cars (engine >1500cc, length >4m, SUVs)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%40%

2402Tobacco, cigarettes, pan masala

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%40%

2202Aerated beverages (carbonated drinks)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%40%

9984Online gaming, casinos, horse racing

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%40%

8711Premium motorcycles (above 350cc)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

28%40%

9609Pencils, erasers, sharpeners

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

12%0%

4820Notebooks, exercise books, maps

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

12%0%

9971Life and health insurance premiums

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

18%0%

3004Lifesaving drugs (33 specified medicines)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

12%0%

8471Computers and laptops

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

12%18%

9403Furniture (non-bamboo)

Notification: 08/2025-CT(R)

12%18%

10 January 202555th Council Meeting

1904Fortified rice kernels (FRK)

Notification: 01/2025-CT(R)

18%5%

2008Popcorn (ready-to-eat, pre-packaged, non-caramel)

Notification: 01/2025-CT(R)

5%12%

1704Caramelized popcorn

Notification: 01/2025-CT(R)

5%18%

8703Used electric vehicles (margin scheme)

Notification: 01/2025-CT(R)

12%18%

6810ACC blocks (>50% fly ash content)

Notification: 01/2025-CT(R)

18%12%

9993Gene therapy services

Notification: 01/2025-CT(R)

18%0%

9984Payment aggregator services (transactions ≤₹2000)

Notification: 01/2025-CT(R)

18%0%

10 October 202454th Council Meeting

3004Cancer drugs (Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, Durvalumab)

Notification: 05/2024-CT(R)

12%5%

2106Namkeens & extruded savory snacks

Notification: 05/2024-CT(R)

18%12%

15 July 202453rd Council Meeting

7310Milk cans (steel, iron, aluminium)

Notification: 03/2024-CT(R)

18%12%

4819Carton boxes & cases (corrugated/non-corrugated paper)

Notification: 03/2024-CT(R)

18%12%

8419Solar cookers

Notification: 03/2024-CT(R)

18%12%

8424Fire water sprinklers & drip irrigation systems

Notification: 03/2024-CT(R)

18%12%

9963Student hostel accommodation (up to ₹20,000/month)

Notification: 03/2024-CT(R)

12%0%

9964Indian Railways (platform tickets, waiting room, cloakroom)

Notification: 03/2024-CT(R)

18%0%

20 October 202351st Council Meeting

1703Molasses

Notification: 12/2023-CT(R)

28%5%

1 October 202350th Council Meeting

9984Online gaming, casinos, horse racing (full face value)

Notification: 10/2023-CT(R)

18%28%

1905Uncooked/unfried snack pellets (fryums)

Notification: 10/2023-CT(R)

18%5%

5605Imitation zari thread/yarn

Notification: 10/2023-CT(R)

12%5%

2309Fish soluble paste

Notification: 10/2023-CT(R)

18%5%

2619LD slag

Notification: 10/2023-CT(R)

5%0%

9963Food & beverages in cinema halls (non-5-star)

Notification: 10/2023-CT(R)

18%5%

1 January 202348th Council Meeting

2303Husk of pulses (chilka)

Notification: 20/2022-CT(R)

5%0%

9988Rab (sugarcane preparation)

Notification: 20/2022-CT(R)

18%5%

18 July 202247th Council Meeting

1905Branded biscuits (packs)

Notification: 03/2022-CT(R)

18%5%

1006Pre-packaged rice (branded)

Notification: 03/2022-CT(R)

0%5%

1101Pre-packaged wheat flour (atta)

Notification: 03/2022-CT(R)

0%5%

0401Curd, lassi, buttermilk (pre-packaged)

Notification: 03/2022-CT(R)

0%5%

9963Hotel room (tariff ≤ ₹1000)

Notification: 03/2022-CT(R)

0%12%

9972Rent on residential property (RCM)

Notification: 05/2022-CT(R)

0%18%

1 January 202246th Council Meeting

5007Woven fabrics of silk

Notification: 14/2021-CT(R)

5%12%

6101Garments >₹1000

Notification: 14/2021-CT(R)

5%12%

9964Passenger transport (auto-rickshaw via app)

Notification: 16/2021-CT(R)

0%5%

14 June 202144th Council Meeting

3002Vaccines

Notification: 05/2021-CT(R)

5%5%

1 April 202039th Council Meeting

8517Mobile phones

Notification: 01/2020-CT(R)

12%18%

1 January 202038th Council Meeting

8528Monitors and TVs (up to 32 inches)

Notification: 24/2019-CT(R)

28%18%

1 April 201933rd Council Meeting

9954Works contract (affordable housing)

Notification: 03/2019-CT(R)

12%1%

9954Works contract (other residential)

Notification: 03/2019-CT(R)

12%5%

15 November 201723rd Council Meeting

3304Beauty/makeup preparations

Notification: 41/2017-CT(R)

28%18%

7113Imitation jewellery

Notification: 41/2017-CT(R)

28%18%

1905Bread, biscuits (unbranded)

Notification: 41/2017-CT(R)

5%0%

1 July 2017Original Council Meeting

9983IT services (domestic)

Notification: 11/2017-CT(R)

18%18%

9971Financial services

Notification: 11/2017-CT(R)

18%18%

2523Portland cement, clinker

Notification: 1/2017-CT(R)

28%28%

Why Historical GST Rates Matter

Since GST was introduced on July 1, 2017, the GST Council has met 50+ times and revised rates on hundreds of goods and services. Knowing the exact rate applicable on a specific date is critical for:

GST audits — Verify that correct rates were applied on historical invoices
Assessment proceedings — Defend your position when department questions old returns
Refund claims — Inverted duty structure claims require knowing the exact rates
Credit notes — Returns spanning a rate change need the original rate
Supplier verification — Were you charged the correct rate by your vendors?

Major Rate Rationalization Events

Nov 2017 (23rd Council) — 170+ items moved from 28% to 18%. Largest single-day rate cut.
Jul 2022 (47th Council) — Removal of exemptions on pre-packaged food items. Hotel rooms below ₹1000 taxed.
Jan 2022 (46th Council) — Textile rate correction (5% → 12% for garments above ₹1000).
Apr 2019 (33rd Council) — Real estate rate overhaul (12% → 1%/5% without ITC).

Related Tools

Look up the current rate for any product with our HSN code search (22,000+ codes), or calculate GST amounts with the GST calculator. If you're facing an assessment, read our GST notice response guide.