The GST Council is likely to deliberate on a proposal to reduce taxes on air and water purifiers at its upcoming meeting, against the backdrop of deteriorating air quality in several regions and uneven access to safe drinking water, according to a media report published on Tuesday.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the Council may examine lowering the goods and services tax (GST) on household air and water purifiers from the current 18% to 5%. This would require reclassifying these products as essential items, rather than treating them as discretionary consumer goods.
Industry estimates suggest that such a tax cut could result in a 10–15% reduction in retail prices, potentially making purification devices more affordable for lower-income households and improving access to clean air and drinking water.
However, there is no official confirmation yet on the timing of the next GST Council meeting. Queries sent to the finance ministry reportedly did not receive a response before publication.
The GST Council last met in September during its 56th session, when tax rates on air and water purifiers were left unchanged. Officials cited in the report said the proposal is currently under consideration, but any change would require consensus among state finance ministers.
The issue gained renewed urgency after the Delhi High Court, on December 24, urged the government to convene a GST Council meeting at the earliest—even virtually, if necessary—to examine the possibility of reducing or eliminating GST on air purifiers in light of worsening air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
While the Centre cautioned the court that lowering GST on such products could potentially “open a Pandora’s box,” it maintained that the matter would be examined through established procedures. The government also clarified that GST Council meetings are typically held in person, not via video conferencing.
