At a joint press conference in New Delhi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the success of Next-Gen GST Reforms, implemented before Diwali as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a simpler, more consumer-friendly tax system. Sitharaman said that the government has reduced GST rates, simplified processes, and streamlined the tax structure from four slabs to two, ensuring faster decision-making and ease of compliance. “These reforms were implemented from the first day of Navratri and have been well received by the people,” she said. The Finance Minister added that the new GST measures are not corrective but conscious reforms, reflecting close cooperation between the Centre and the GST Council. She confirmed that the benefits of the revised rates have been fully passed on to consumers across 54 monitored products since 22 September 2025. Rs 2.5 Trillion in Tax Relief and Economic Uplift Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the reform as one of India’s largest tax overhauls since independence, benefitting all 1.4 billion citizens. He said the government’s Rs 2.5 trillion relief through direct and indirect tax measures is “unprecedented and beyond imagination.” He added that the GST overhaul has boosted consumer confidence, increased savings, and driven disposable income growth, reinforcing India’s position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. “When essentials and infrastructure become more affordable, both demand and supply grow, creating a powerful multiplier effect,” he said. Record Festive Sales and Manufacturing Growth Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted how GST reforms have spurred growth in India’s electronics ecosystem, with sales surging by 20–25 per cent this Navratri season compared to last year. Major retail chains reported record sales across product categories, including televisions, smartphones, and appliances, reflecting strong consumer confidence. Vaishnaw also noted that food prices have recorded a deflationary trend of around 2 per cent over four consecutive months, easing inflationary pressures on middle-class households and supporting sustained demand. India’s electronics manufacturing sector has expanded sharply, generating 2.5 million jobs, while the country has surpassed a neighbouring nation to become a leading smartphone exporter to the US. A major global manufacturer now produces 20 per cent of its total output in India, underlining the country’s growing manufacturing strength. Semiconductor Milestone and GDP Growth Vaishnaw announced that semiconductor production has begun at CG Semi and Kaynes, marking a key step toward India’s goal of technology self-reliance. Referring to last year’s GDP of Rs 335 trillion, Vaishnaw said Rs 202 trillion came from consumption and Rs 98 trillion from investment. This year, consumption has increased by nearly 10 per cent, adding Rs 20 trillion in spending — a clear sign that GST reforms are reinforcing the cycle of consumption-led investment and growth. A Virtuous Cycle of Prosperity The ministers agreed that the Next-Gen GST has simplified taxation, encouraged compliance, and supported India’s vision of inclusive, sustainable, and technology-driven economic progress. The reforms, they said, are designed to make India’s tax system globally competitive, investment-friendly, and beneficial for every citizen.