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Eight years of GST: India’s landmark tax reform turns a corner
MUMBAI: Eight years after its midnight launch, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) stands as a defining milestone in India’s economic reform journey. Introduced by the Modi 1.0 government on 1 July 2017, GST replaced 17 indirect taxes and 13 cesses, creating a unified tax system aimed at transforming revenue collection and compliance mechanisms.
From its inception, GST has aimed to simplify the tax landscape and improve compliance—especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reiterated this in a social media post, calling GST a “powerful engine” of economic growth and an exemplar of cooperative federalism, where states act as equal partners in market integration.
GST revenues have seen consistent growth—from Rs 7.19 lakh crore in 2017–18 to Rs 22.08 lakh crore in 2024–25. Registrations have more than doubled, rising from 60 lakh to 1.51 crore active taxpayers. The government credits this to technology-led compliance features such as e-invoicing, auto-populated returns, AI-driven analytics, and e-way bills, which together have helped reduce fraud and encourage voluntary adherence.
The media and marketing industry has also undergone a structural shift under GST. Earlier fragmented under multiple state-level service taxes, the sector now operates under a more uniform 18 per cent GST slab, enabling centralised billing and improving cash flow predictability for agencies and broadcasters. For the television industry, in particular, GST eliminated disparities between content producers and distributors across states, streamlining operations and reducing cascading taxes. However, smaller agencies have flagged concerns about delayed input credit refunds and compliance costs, prompting calls for more sector-specific easing.
Leaders across industry reflected on GST’s journey. Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, called it “India awakening as a common market for the first time.” Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of Paytm, termed GST “the dawn of a new India.” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson of Biocon, described it as “transformational,” while also calling for further simplification.
Despite progress, key issues remain. Over two lakh disputes are pending due to the delayed establishment of GST appellate tribunals. The presence of multiple tax slabs and inverted duty structures—particularly in textiles and fertilisers—continues to create inconsistencies. Petroleum products and real estate remain outside GST’s ambit, limiting its scope as a truly comprehensive indirect tax.
Tax experts from PwC India advocate for rationalising the rate structure to three tiers and gradually bringing petroleum products under GST to remove economic distortions. The GST Council has indicated that such reforms are under active consideration. Plans to operationalise 31 appellate tribunals by December aim to address the litigation backlog.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
