October 5, 2025

NEW DELHI: What a festival blast! The Indian government’s recent cut in GST on 375 goods kicked off a shopping frenzy during Navratri, resulting in the highest sales in more than 10 years, officials said. This smart tax move made prices fall, encouraging families to upgrade vehicles, buy white goods, and splurge on lifestyle items. The festive mood turned into an unstoppable shopping party! GST Rates Get a Makeover The Centre and states joined hands to cut GST rates on food, daily essentials, white goods, cement, and autos. They reduced tax slabs and removed the cess on luxury and sin products (except tobacco), making taxes simpler and products cheaper. This bold plan wasn’t just about taxes; it was designed to pump up spending, even if tax collections took a short dip. Zooming Car Sales A government insider shared, "By rationalising GST slabs and easing the tax burden on both essential and aspirational items, govt fostered an environment of confident spending. As a result, brands and retailers reported sales growth ranging from 25% to 100%, marking a major boost for India’s consumption-driven economy." Despite initial worries from companies after PM Narendra Modi’s GST announcement on Independence Day, September’s collections (reflecting August transactions) zoomed by over 9%, the fastest in four months. Why? Prices got cheaper as businesses passed on the savings to buyers. Plus, after months of waiting, eager shoppers are now buying big time. Maruti Suzuki, India’s biggest carmaker, reported a jaw-dropping 3.5 lakh bookings and has around 2.5 lakh pending orders! By Navratri’s end, they expect to deliver 2 lakh cars — that's over twice last year’s 85,000. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) also shines with a 60% jump in sales for their XUV700 and Scorpio N. Hyundai’s Creta and Venue are selling like hotcakes, too. Bright Lights in Electronics It’s not just cars—consumer electronics companies and top retailers are witnessing a roaring rise in sales, thanks to the lowered GST and festive spirit combined. With GST cuts acting like a magic wand, Indians are spending freely and joyously, turning this Navratri into a dazzling shopping festival that lights up the economy!

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Tags: Gst reduction, Navratri sales, Car sales, Consumer electronics, Indian economy, Maruti suzuki,