Zomato and Swiggy users may see higher bills as GST Council now imposes 18% GST on delivery fees. Earlier treated as pass-through, these charges are now taxable under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act. Platforms may either absorb the cost or pass it to customers, potentially affecting demand or profitability.
Sensex rose 150.30 points to close at 80,718.01 after hitting an intraday high of 81,456.67. Nifty gained 19.25 points to end at 24,734.30, after peaking at 24,980.75. Auto and FMCG sectors led gains post-GST reform announcements. However, Nifty Midcap 100 fell 0.67%, and SmallCap 100 declined 0.71%, reflecting broader market weakness.
The GST Council has raised tax on oil and gas exploration services from 12% to 18%, effective September 22. This will increase production costs, with no input tax credit benefit, hurting margins and potentially stalling projects. Experts warn of reduced competitiveness, especially for coal-bed methane, amid falling global oil prices and weaker upstream returns.
The Central government has reduced GST on insurance policies to zero, meeting long-standing public demands to lower it from 18% or 12%. This major reform will benefit policyholders across various categories, including ULIP plans, term plans, health insurance, and general insurance. The move aims to make insurance more affordable to all citizens.
Here is the full list of items and products, which are taxed at a 12% GST rate across the country. ★Butter, ★Ghee, ★Processed food, ★Almonds, ★Mobiles, ★Fruit Juice, ★Preparations of Vegetables, ★Fruits, ★Nuts or other parts of Plants, including Pickle Murabba, ★Chutney, ★Jam, ★Jelly, ★Packed Coconut Water, ★Umbrella.
Here is the full list of items and products, which are taxed at a 0% GST rate across the country. ★Milk, ★Kajal, ★Eggs, ★Educational Services, ★Curd, ★Lassi, ★Health Services, ★Children’s Books, ★Foodgrains, ★Atta/Maida, ★Paneer, ★Gur, ★Besan, ★Natural Honey, ★Fresh Vegetables, ★Salt, ★Prasad, ★Palmyra Jaggery, ★Phool Bhari Jhadoo.
The Sensex and Nifty opened at fresh record levels in early trade on Thursday, September 4, 2025. The Sensex started trading today at 81127.36, up at 560.18 points or 0.70%, and the Nifty was at 24865.55, up at 151.30 points or 0.62%. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee was trading today at 88.08 against the dollar.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is expected to launch its Delivery Centre at Rushikonda Hill No. 3, Visakhapatnam, by September 2025. The facility, operating from a rented building, will house 2,000 employees with an initial ₹80 crore investment. Government sources confirm infrastructure and interior works will likely conclude by September 20.
The GST Council has approved major reforms to ease business compliance, like faster registration for MSMEs and automated GST refunds for exporters. It also plans to reduce GST slabs to boost consumption, benefit key sectors, and offset export losses. Some states may oppose due to expected revenue losses of around ₹50,000 crore.
Gold prices reached new highs in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, with 24K gold at Dh 426.25 and SAR 438.00 per gram. Global uncertainty and expected U.S. interest rate cuts are driving the surge. Buyers prefer lightweight designs, digital gold, and EMI options to manage rising costs. Experts advise closely watching market trends.
The GST Council may reduce tax on small cars and bikes from 28% to 18%, helping buyers and boosting sales. But luxury electric cars and high-end bikes (above 350cc) may face higher tax. This could hit brands like Tesla and Royal Enfield. The government hopes higher sales will offset revenue loss during the festive season.
Stock markets closed higher on Wednesday as metal and pharma stocks rose. Sensex gained 410 points to 80,567, and Nifty rose 134 points to 24,715. Positive GST Council talks and strong August services data boosted sentiment. Tata Steel, Hindalco led gains, while Infosys and Nestle fell. Metal and Pharma sectors outperformed.