New GST Rates From Today: What Gets Cheaper This Navratri and How It Impacts Your Festive Shopping
The festive season is here, and so are the revised Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates that officially kick in today. With Navratri just around the corner, consumers are eager to know what will cost less and how these changes will affect their budgets. From household essentials to electronics and festive shopping items, the GST Council’s recent decision has reshaped the price slabs for several goods and services, offering some relief to both buyers and businesses.
By: Bharat Daily Samachar Date: 22 Sep,2025
What’s Cheaper From Today?
The new GST rates have reclassified certain products into lower tax slabs. For many consumers, this translates directly into reduced prices during the festive season, when spending typically surges.
Some categories expected to see price cuts include:
Daily essentials – Several household goods and kitchen items have moved into lower slabs.
Festive wear and textiles – Traditional clothing, sarees, and ethnic wear now carry slightly reduced GST, making Navratri and Diwali shopping lighter on the pocket.
Electronics and appliances – Select consumer electronics and gadgets have seen a cut in GST, allowing shoppers to save more on items like smartphones, smart TVs, and washing machines.
Food and beverages – Packaged food items, sweets, and some beverages now fall under reduced slabs, a welcome relief during the festival season.
Why the Revision Matters
The timing of the GST rate cut is no coincidence. With Navratri, Durga Puja, and Diwali lined up, consumer spending in India traditionally sees a major spike. By easing the tax burden, the government hopes to:
Boost consumer demand – Lower prices are likely to encourage more purchases, especially of non-essential items like clothes and electronics.
Support businesses – Small traders and retailers, many of whom depend on festive sales for a big part of their annual revenue, could benefit from improved sales volumes.
Stabilize inflation worries – India has been battling rising food and commodity prices, and selective tax reductions may help ease consumer inflation pressures.
Expert Reactions
Economists and retail analysts have welcomed the move, noting that GST rationalization could act as a catalyst for both consumer sentiment and the broader economy. “Festive demand is critical for India’s retail sector. By lowering GST on specific categories, the government is nudging shoppers to spend more,” explained one market analyst.
However, experts also caution that supply chain issues and global price pressures could dampen the full impact of GST cuts. “Price drops are good, but consumers may not feel a big difference if inflation continues to push up base costs,” another analyst added.
Impact on Shoppers This Navratri
For families preparing for Navratri festivities, the changes couldn’t have come at a better time. Shoppers are expected to benefit in three key ways:
Lower shopping bills – Traditional festive shopping, including clothing, home decor, and appliances, will see reduced effective prices.
Wider choice – Retailers, hoping to capitalize on festive demand, are likely to combine GST savings with Diwali offers and festive discounts, multiplying benefits for customers.
Online shopping boost – E-commerce giants are expected to highlight GST rate cuts in their festival sales, giving additional momentum to digital shopping.
The Business Angle
For businesses, especially small traders and retailers, the revised GST slabs mean easier sales pitches and potentially higher turnover. Many traders in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have already started advertising “lower GST, bigger discounts” to attract customers.
E-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra are also integrating GST savings into their festive campaign strategies, with banners highlighting “GST rate cuts + festive sale offers.”
Looking Ahead
The GST Council has hinted that more rationalization could be on the way, as the government works to simplify the indirect tax regime. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that consumers directly benefit from these tax cuts instead of retailers pocketing the margin. Authorities have urged businesses to pass on benefits to customers transparently.
Final Thoughts
The implementation of new GST rates today comes as a festive gift for consumers and traders alike. With shopping for Navratri and Diwali about to peak, the revised tax slabs promise to reduce costs on essentials, clothing, electronics, and festive goodies.
For the average Indian household, every rupee saved during this season counts. As families prepare for prayers, celebrations, and shopping sprees, the new GST structure is expected to play a crucial role in making this year’s festivities a little more joyful—and a little less expensive.