The GST Council meeting is set for 12 September 2026 in New Delhi, where the Council is reported to consider lowering the 18% Goods and Services Tax on mobile handsets. According to news reports, this would be the 57th meeting of the Council, following the previous session held in September last year that overhauled the tax slabs.
When and Where Is the GST Council Meeting
Media reports say the upcoming GST Council meeting will take place on 12 September 2026 in New Delhi. The venue and detailed agenda are expected to be released closer to the date. The Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister with state finance ministers as members, is the apex body that decides GST rates and rules.
Mobile Phones May Get Cheaper
The headline expectation is a possible reduction in the 18% GST currently levied on mobile handsets. Sources cited in the press suggest the Council may discuss cutting this rate, with handset makers reportedly seeking a reduction from 18% to 5% so retail prices can come down.
The push comes against a difficult cost backdrop for the industry:
- Chip and memory prices have reportedly risen over 400% in the past year.
- As a result, mobile handset prices have gone up by as much as 20%.
- Higher prices are said to be weighing on handset sales in the domestic market.
A lower GST rate, if approved, could partly offset these increases for buyers. However, no rate cut has been officially confirmed, and any decision rests with the Council at the meeting.
Simpler GST Returns on the Agenda
Beyond rates, the Council is reported to be looking at making GST return filing simpler, along the lines of the income tax return (ITR) process. Sources indicate the agenda may include a move toward time-bound GST return payment and easing the input tax credit (ITC) difficulties that businesses continue to face. These items are described as under discussion and are not officially confirmed.
Background: The Previous Slab Overhaul
The last GST Council meeting, held in September 2025, was a landmark session in which the Council decided to remove the 12% and 28% slabs, restructuring the rate system. Despite that reform, traders have reported continuing issues with input tax credit, which is one reason simplification is back on the table.
What to Watch
Taxpayers, businesses and phone buyers will be watching the 12 September meeting for concrete decisions rather than proposals. The key questions are whether the 18% handset rate is actually reduced, how far any cut goes, and whether return-filing changes are approved with a clear timeline. Until the Council issues its official outcome, all of the above should be treated as reported expectations, not final policy.
We will update this page once the GST Council confirms its decisions after the meeting.