No GST Council Meeting in 2025…yet! Behind the Delay and Beyond the Horizon

As of mid-May 2025, the GST Council—the key body responsible for shaping India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) policy—has yet to announce its next meeting date. The last time the Council met was back on June 22, 2024.

This extended gap has left many in the business community, policy circles, and economic think tanks wondering what lies ahead for GST reforms. Given that these meetings often steer big decisions on tax rates, rules, and the GST system itself, the delay is raising eyebrows.

What’s Likely on the Table When the GST Council Meets Next?

Whenever the Council does meet in 2025, some critical issues are expected to be front and center. While the exact agenda will depend on how things unfold economically and politically, these are some of the big topics likely to spark debate:

1. Rethinking GST Slabs and Rates

One of the most awaited discussions will be on streamlining the GST slab structure. For years, businesses and experts have pushed for simplifying the current four-tier system (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%). The Council might explore:

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• Merging or trimming the slabs to make life easier for taxpayers.
  
• Slashing rates on essential items to ease the cost of living and help the economy recover.
  
• Reviewing sector-specific GST tweaks for industries like electric vehicles, solar energy, and healthcare.

2. State Compensation: Will the Center Keep the Tap Open?

The issue of compensating states for GST-related revenue losses is still a hot topic. Although the official five-year window closed in 2022, many states want it extended. Possible discussions include:

• Extending the compensation scheme.
  
• Exploring new ways to share revenue that keep both the Center and states financially secure.

3. Making GST Compliance Easier for Small Businesses

The Council is likely to look at ways to ease the compliance burden, especially for MSMEs. Ideas on the table may include:

• Simpler return filing procedures.
  
• Using tech upgrades, such as AI-powered tools on the GSTN portal, to make GST filing less of a headache.

4. Tougher Anti-Evasion Moves

With tax evasion still an ongoing issue, the Council may consider:

• New tools and tech to catch evaders faster.
  
• Strengthening the powers of GST officers.
  
• Tightening rules around input tax credits to avoid misuse.

5. Bringing More Sectors Under GST

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Some sectors—like real estate, betting, and gambling—are still outside GST. The Council could debate bringing them in, along with:

• Reviewing tax incentives for sectors like tourism and education, which are still struggling post-pandemic.

6. GST on Online Gaming and Crypto

As India’s digital economy booms, expect the Council to weigh in on:

• Tax rules for online gaming and digital betting platforms.
  
• Clear guidelines for crypto transactions, which remain a regulatory grey area.

7. Fully Integrating Jammu & Kashmir into GST

Post the removal of Article 370, there may also be discussions on:

• Fully bringing J&K into the GST fold.
  
• Tackling the unique challenges businesses face in the region.

8. Improving GST Collections with Technology

Boosting GST collections remains a top priority. The Council may explore:

• Strategies to increase compliance across all sectors
  
• Leveraging digital tools to enhance collections, audits, and enforcement.

9. Listening to the Ground Realities

Finally, the Council is expected to review feedback from taxpayers and businesses, including:

• Evaluating the real-world impact of earlier reforms.
  
• Addressing common pain points like refund delays, credit claims, and interstate GST challenges.

Why does the GST Council Matter So Much

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The GST Council, made up of Union and State Finance Ministers, plays a critical role in shaping India’s indirect tax system. Since GST’s rollout in 2017, the Council has been the nerve center for all major tweaks and reforms.

These meetings aren’t just routine—they’re where the big decisions get made that affect businesses, state finances, and even household budgets. That’s why any delay in these sessions can stall important reforms and leave businesses and investors in limbo.

Why the Delay This Time?

Normally, the Council meets every quarter, but this year things are different. Some reasons for the unusual delay might include:

• Political Distractions: State and local elections in various regions may have made scheduling tricky.
  
• Economic Caution: The government may be taking its time, carefully weighing the economic climate before proposing new tax measures.
  
• Complexity of Reforms: GST reforms are never easy. They require consensus across states and territories, and the lack of an announced date might signal the government is working on deeper, more complicated proposals behind the scenes.

What’s Next?

While there’s no date on the calendar yet, it’s expected that the Council will convene soon—especially as India inches closer to its fiscal year-end. With rising pressure from businesses and industry groups for clarity on tax rates and compliance rules, the Council is likely to prioritize key reforms when it does meet.

In short, though the delay may be causing some short-term uncertainty, it could also indicate that the government is preparing for bigger, more thoughtful changes. Until then, businesses and stakeholders will have to stay tuned for official word from the GST Council.

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