GST Rate Cuts on Mobiles, TVs & Batteries – 56th GST Council Meeting 2025

 

GST Rate Cuts on Mobiles, TVs & Batteries – 56th GST Council Meeting Highlights

The 56th GST Council Meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 3rd September 2025, brought historic relief to the electronics and mobile industry. The council announced major GST reductions on smartphones, televisions, lithium-ion batteries, solar energy devices, and other electronics, effective 22nd September 2025.

These changes are aimed at making consumer electronics more affordable, promoting digital adoption, and accelerating India’s green energy transition.

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📱 GST Rate Cuts on Mobiles & Accessories

1. Smartphones & Mobile Accessories
   • While the GST on mobile handsets remains unchanged at 12%, accessories like chargers, power banks, and lithium-ion accumulators have seen big cuts.
   • Lithium-ion batteries & power banks:
     • Old GST Rate: 28%
     • New GST Rate: 18%

✅ This will reduce the cost of power banks, EV batteries, and mobile battery replacements, directly benefiting consumers.

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📺 GST Rate Cuts on Televisions & Electronics

1. Television Sets, Monitors & Projectors

   • Old GST Rate: 28%
   • New GST Rate: 18%
     ✅ Expect a 10–12% price drop in LED and LCD TVs, monitors, and projectors.

2. Household Appliances

   • Dishwashers, air-conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines now fall in the 18% slab instead of 28%, making home electronics more affordable.

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🔋 GST Cuts on Batteries & Energy Storage

• Lithium-ion batteries & accumulators:
  • Old Rate: 28%
  • New Rate: 18%
• Non-lithium accumulators: 28% → 18%

✅ A big boost for smartphone users, EVs, and energy storage companies.

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☀️ Renewable & Solar Devices

1. Solar Power Devices & Panels

   • Old GST Rate: 12%
   • New GST Rate: 5%
     ✅ This makes solar panels and solar water heaters cheaper, encouraging households and industries to adopt renewable energy.

2. Other Renewable Energy Devices

   • Wind turbines, biogas plants, waste-to-energy devices:
     • Old Rate: 12%
     • New Rate: 5%

✅ Strong push for India’s clean energy mission.

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📉 Impact on Electronics & Mobile Industry

• Consumers: Expect cheaper TVs, mobile batteries, chargers, and solar devices from October 2025.
• Mobile Industry: Lower GST on batteries will reduce overall handset costs and boost sales.
• Renewables Sector: GST cuts will make solar power and EV adoption faster, reducing upfront costs.
• MSMEs: Small businesses dealing in electronic components and solar devices will see higher demand.

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FAQs on Electronics GST Rate Cuts

Q1. From when are the new GST rates applicable?
The revised GST rates apply from 22nd September 2025.

Q2. What is the GST rate on televisions now?
TVs, monitors, and projectors now attract 18% GST instead of 28%.

Q3. What is the GST rate on lithium-ion batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries, power banks, and accumulators will now be taxed at 18% instead of 28%.

Q4. Did the GST on smartphones change?
No. The GST on smartphones remains 12%, but accessories have seen cuts.

Q5. How will this affect renewable energy?
Solar panels, solar lamps, wind turbines, and biogas plants will now attract just 5% GST, making clean energy more affordable.

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