With the GST reforms set to benefit consumers from Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged Indians to buy Make in India products during the upcoming festival season.
He urged citizens to buy Make in India products instead of foreign goods amid souring trade ties with the United States under the Donald Trump administration. "We must buy goods that have sweat of Indians. The mantra of Swadeshi gave strength to freedom movement, Swadeshi will also strength our quest for prosperity," Modi said.
My address to the nation. https://t.co/OmgbHSmhsi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2025
PM Modi pointed out that the Indian middle class will benefit from the double bonanza of GST cut and Income Tax exemption on earning up to Rs 12 lakh. He added that this move will save 2.5 crore for Indians and help accelerate the country's economic growth.
The Prime Minister added that daily essentials, medicines and insurance are set to turn cheaper under the new GST reform. These include ghee, paneer, butter, 'namkeen', ketchup, jam, dry fruits, coffee and ice creams, TV, AC and washing machines..
"On the first day of Navratri, the country is going to take an important and big step for Atmanirbhar Bharat. With the sunrise tomorrow, the next generation GST reforms will come into effect. A 'GST bachat utsav (savings festival)' will begin tomorrow. You will be able to buy things you like more easily. The poor, middle class, neo middle class, youths, farmers, women, traders and shopkeepers will benefit from this," he added.
Addressing small scale industries, Modi said they should bring products with global appeal to the table. PM Modi also urged states focus on swadesi campaigns and Atmanirbhar Bharat, saying all states will be equal stakeholders in the development race.
The GST Council, which includes the Centre and states, on September 3 announced that the tax rates on goods and services will be reduced from September 22.
In the new two-tier structure, most of the goods and services will attract tax of 5 and 18 per cent instead of the earlier four-slab structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. However, ultra luxury items will attract a 40 per cent tax while tobacco and related products will remain in the 28 per cent plus cess category.
