India, Sept. 4 -- Consumers preparing to purchase household appliances this festive season are likely to spend less, following a major change in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. The GST Council, in its meeting on September 3, 2025, decided to cut tax rates on key consumer durables, including air conditioners, large-screen televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines.

The Council's decision has effectively scrapped the earlier 12 percent and 28 percent tax slabs, leaving only two slabs at 5 percent and 18 percent. As part of the restructuring, products such as air conditioners and bigger televisions that earlier attracted 28 percent tax will now fall under the 18 percent category. Similarly, items earlier taxed at 12 percen...