GST Bachat Utsav, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which commenced on 22nd of last month is benefiting all sections of society. The next-generation GST reforms represent a significant step towards simplifying India’s indirect tax system. The reforms are bringing substantial relief to citizens by reducing the tax rate on various goods and services. Under the Next Generation GST reforms, the Government has announced major relief for stationery items. Students and retailers are benefiting from the latest GST reforms. The GST on pencils has been reduced from 12 percent to nil. Notebooks and copies, including exercise books, graph books, and laboratory notebooks, are now completely tax-free, down from 12 per cent. Erasers have also become GST-free, with the rate reduced from 5 percent to nil. Pencil sharpeners now attract no GST, reduced from 12 percent. Additionally,Geometry boxes and mathematical instrument sets, which earlier had a 12 percent GST, will now attract only 5 percent. These changes are expected to reduce the cost of essential stationery and educational tools, benefiting students, parents, and teachers across the country. Retailers and small shopkeepers are also likely to see increased sales. 

The Government emphasizes that this move is part of a larger initiative to support education, promote learning, and make essential materials affordable and accessible to all.