Since its first GST council meetings in September 2016, the GST Council has been the nerve centre of India’s Goods and Services Tax framework. Set up under Article 279A of the Constitution, the Council is a unique federal body where the Union and State governments come together to make crucial decisions on tax rates, exemptions, compliance rules, and compensation.
Every major GST change — from rate cuts on essentials, to the introduction of the e-way bill system, to pandemic-related relief measures — has been deliberated and approved in these meetings. For taxpayers, businesses, and policymakers, tracking the outcomes of GST Council meetings is critical, because these decisions directly impact compliance costs, pricing, and revenue distribution.
In this blog, we provide a complete list of all GST Council meetings held so far (1st to 56th), along with their dates, venues, and key highlights.
Structure of the GST Council
The GST Council is designed to ensure cooperative federalism in tax administration. Its structure is as follows:
- Chairperson: Union Finance Minister of India
- Members: Union Minister of State for Finance, Finance/Taxation Ministers of all States and Union Territories
- Voting rights: Centre has one-third of the total votes, while all States together have two-thirds. However, most decisions are taken by consensus.
This framework ensures that both the Centre and the States have a decisive role in shaping GST policy.
Functions of the GST Council
The Council’s key responsibilities include:
- Recommending tax rates and exemptions under GST
- Deciding threshold limits for registration and composition schemes
- Supervising GST laws, rules, and amendments
- Addressing inter-state trade issues and disputes
- Overseeing GSTN and compliance simplifications
- Approving relief measures during crises (e.g., COVID-19)
Evolution of the GST Council Meetings
The Council’s journey reflects India’s GST story:
- 2016–2017: Initial meetings focused on drafting laws, tax slabs, and the framework for rollout in July 2017.
- 2018–2019: Rationalisation of rates, return simplifications, and launch of the e-way bill system.
- 2020–2021: COVID-19 prompted relief measures, extensions, and urgent clarifications.
- 2022–2025: Focus shifted to rate rationalisation, IT-driven compliance, and future reforms such as litigation management and automation.
Complete List of GST Council Meetings So Far
| Meeting | Date Held | Venue / Mode | Short Summary / Key Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 22–23 Sep 2016 | New Delhi | Inception meeting after the 101st Constitution Amendment — started framing CGST/SGST/IGST architecture, road-map for GST laws. |
| 2nd | 30 Sep 2016 | New Delhi | Continued drafting model GST Acts, fitment principles and institutional arrangements. |
| 3rd | 18–19 Oct 2016 | New Delhi | Further rule drafting and clarifications ahead of rollout. |
| 4th | 3–4 Nov 2016 | New Delhi | Progress on legislative draft and administrative design |
| 5th | 2–3 Dec 2016 | New Delhi | Clarifications on services/real estate; transitional provisions. |
| 6th | 11 Dec 2016 | New Delhi | Detailed rule-level deliberations and stakeholder issues. |
| 7th | 22–23 Dec 2016 | New Delhi | Model law finalisation inputs; state coordination. |
| 8th | 3–4 Jan 2017 | New Delhi | Early clarifications: refunds, high-sea sales, transition rules. |
| 9th | 16 Jan 2017 | New Delhi | Fitment / classification items; readiness tasks. |
| 10th | 18 Feb 2017 | Rajasthan | Compensation Bill discussion; fitment committee inputs. |
| 11th | 4 Mar 2017 | New Delhi | Final vetting of model provisions; returns/composition rules. |
| 12th | 16 Mar 2017 | New Delhi | Compensation ceiling & UTGST/SGST discussions. |
| 13th | 31 Mar 2017 | New Delhi | Refund, invoice & transition rule discussions. |
| 14th | 18–19 May 2017 | Srinagar | Service definitions, job work, HSN/fitment clarifications. |
| 15th | 3 Jun 2017 | New Delhi | Pre-rollout decisions on compliance thresholds. |
| 16th | 11 Jun 2017 | New Delhi | IGST, job work treatment & final preparations. |
| 17th | 18 Jun 2017 | New Delhi | Further implementation’s fine-tuning. |
| 18th | 30 Jun 2017 | New Delhi | Last-mile clarifications before rollout. |
| 19th | 17 Jul 2017 | Video Conference | Early post-rollout clarifications; compensation cess mechanism operationalising. |
| 20th | 5 Aug 2017 | New Delhi | State feedback on initial implementation; classification fixes. |
| 21st | 9 Sep 2017 | Hyderabad | Fitment Committee reports; transitional credit issues. |
| 22nd | 6 Oct 2017 | New Delhi | Notifications/refund clarifications and pending table agenda. |
| 23rd | 10 Nov 2017 | Assam | Regional/state-specific issues and fitment matters. |
| 24th | 16 Dec 2017 | Video Conference | Refund of provisionally accepted ITC; procedural clarifications. |
| 25th | 18 Jan 2018 | New Delhi | Composition scheme refinements; thresholds & compliance simplification. |
| 26th | 10 Mar 2018 | New Delhi | Table agenda / special notifications; fitment updates. |
| 27th | 4 May 2018 | Video Conference | Simplification and fitment committee suggestions implemented. |
| 28th | 21 Jul 2018 | New Delhi | HSN adjustments; classification (lotteries, other tricky items). |
| 29th | 4 Aug 2018 | New Delhi | Select rate changes & exemptions; small taxpayer relief. |
| 30th | 28 Sep 2018 | Video Conference | Urgent clarifications issued via VC mechanism. |
| 31st | 22 Dec 2018 | New Delhi | Threshold discussions; some notification withdrawals/amendments. |
| 32nd | 10 Jan 2019 | New Delhi | Return-simplification & data quality focus. |
| 33rd | 20 & 24 Feb 2019 | New Delhi | Rate rationalisation and service classification items. |
| 34th | 19 Mar 2019 | Video Conference | Procedural efficiency measures; compliance gap closure. |
| 35th | 21 Jun 2019 | New Delhi | Blocking of e-way bill issues; logistics/supply chain discussions. |
| 36th | 27 Jul 2019 | Video Conference | State requests; refunds & administrative clarifications. |
| 37th | 20 Sep 2019 | Goa | Risk-based assessments; IT grievance redressal; CoO/exports issues. |
| 38th | 18 Dec 2019 | New Delhi | New compliance modules & data-driven mechanisms (GSTN/GSTIN enhancements). |
| 39th | 14 Mar 2020 | New Delhi | Pre-COVID agenda; preparedness and compliance impacts. |
| 40th | 12 Jun 2020 | Video Conference | COVID relief measures: due date extensions, compliance relaxations. |
| 41st | 27 Aug 2020 | Video Conference | Further pandemic relief; compensation cess discussions. |
| 42nd | 5 & 12 Oct 2020 | Video Conference | Returns & data system enhancements; fitment committee inputs. |
| 43rd | 28 May 2021 | Video Conference | IGST exemption on import of COVID relief materials & medicines; late-fee rationalisation; amnesty schemes. |
| 44th | 12 Jun 2021 | New Delhi | Administrative clarifications; sectoral fitment & refunds. |
| 45th | 17 Sep 2021 | Lucknow | State concerns, classification clarifications; compliance issues. |
| 46th | 31 Dec 2021 | New Delhi | Year-end compliance fixes & process streamlining. |
| 47th | 28–29 Jun 2022 | Chandigarh | State compensation, fitment committee reports, appeals & dispute-reduction steps. |
| 48th | 17 Dec 2022 | New Delhi | Rate rationalisation talks; committee set ups for select sectors & refund process improvement. |
| 49th | 18 Feb 2023 | New Delhi | Audit manual / procedural clarifications; transition items. |
| 50th | 11 Jul 2023 | New Delhi | Fitment & classification items; administrative tweaks to returns/refunds. |
| 51st | 2 Aug 2023 | Video Conference | States’ operational issues; roadmap for future simplification measures. |
| 52nd | 7 Oct 2023 | New Delhi | Fitment committee outcomes; e-invoicing discussions & compliance automation roadmap. |
| 53rd | 22 Jun 2024 | New Delhi | Rate rationalisation & clarifications; e-invoicing extension discussion; other procedural items. |
| 54th | 9 Sep 2024 | New Delhi | Roadmap for further e-invoicing expansion; committee reports on rates & classification. |
| 55th | 21 Dec 2024 | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | Recommendations on IMS (Invoice Management System) topics; sector-wise clarifications; other year-end decisions. |
| 56th | 3–4 Sep 2025 | New Delhi | Next-gen GST reforms: major rate rationalisation (move toward simplified slabs — e.g., 5% & 18% in announced recommendations), exemptions (some insurance items), auto refunds & compliance simplification. Detailed recommendations & FAQs published. |
* This column gives the gist; full minutes are available on the GST Council site. (GST Council)
Recent Major Decisions: What Changed in the 56th GST Council Meeting
Held in New Delhi on 3-4 September 2025, the 56th meeting is one of the most consequential so far. Here are the key changes:
- The GST rate structure was rationalised: the 12% and 28% slabs have been removed. Now mostly two main slabs: 5% (for essential / merit goods) and 18% (standard goods / services). A higher “demerit” slab (40%) remains for sin-goods.
- Exemptions: GST exempts Life insurance and health insurance now
- Effective date: Most of the rate cuts and changes will take effect from 22 September 2025.
- Simplification of compliance: Auto refunds, simplified registration, reduced burden for small businesses etc.
- Remedies of inverted duty structure: Steps to correct GST anomalies where input taxes are higher than output rates for certain goods and services.
Read all details of 56th GST Council Meeting Here
Why 56th Council Meet Matters (Geo- and Citizen-Level Impact)
The 56th meeting is part of a larger “GST Next-Gen” reform push, aimed at: simplification, ease of doing business, reducing burden on citizens, removing anomalies, ensuring fairness.
| Stakeholder | What They Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Consumers / Households | Many everyday goods will become cheaper. Essentials, health & insurance premium costs may be reduced. Shopping for groceries, apparel, medicine etc. will be impacted. |
| Businesses / MSMEs | Need to adjust pricing, update invoicing systems to new slabs. Compliance changes (returns, refunds, registrations) will have to be adapted. Opportunity to reduce tax liability in many cases. |
| States & State Governments | Loss of revenue concerns: with slabs being cut, states will press for compensation. States will have to plan budgets carefully. Also, more demand for clarity on which items shift slab, and timelines. |
| Tax Professionals | Advisories, audits, classifications will shift. Need to advise clients/businesses on which HSN/HSN codes change. Understand changes in law, possible litigation in case of misclassification. |
Common Questions on GST Council Meeting
1. What is the GST Council?
Union Finance Minister chairs the GST Council – a constitutional body chaired. It includes Finance Ministers from all States and UTs. The Council makes recommendations on tax rates, exemptions, threshold limits, dispute resolution, and administrative reforms under GST.
2. How often does the GST Council meet?
There is no fixed statutory frequency, but meetings are usually held every few months. In the initial years (2016–2019), meetings were frequent due to the rollout of GST. Post-2020, meetings are typically quarterly or as needed (for urgent matters like COVID relief).
3. Who are the members of the GST Council?
The Council has:
- Union Finance Minister (Chairperson)
- Union Minister of State for Finance (Member)
- Finance/Taxation Ministers from all States and Union Territories (Members)
4. What are the powers of the GST Council?
The Council recommends GST tax slabs, exemptions, cesses, GST law amendments, compliance simplifications, and resolution of inter-state issues. Its recommendations are not laws by themselves but are almost always implemented via notifications and amendments.
5. Where are GST Council meetings held?
Most meetings are held in New Delhi, but from time to time, they are hosted in state capitals (e.g., Srinagar, Hyderabad, Goa, Jaisalmer). During the COVID-19 pandemic, many were held via video conference.
6. Why are GST Council meetings important?
Because GST is a dual tax system shared between Centre and States, every key change — from rate rationalisation to return simplification — must be agreed upon in the Council. These meetings directly impact businesses, taxpayers, and government revenues.
7. How many GST Council meetings have been held so far?
As of September 2025, there are a total of 56 GST council meetings since the first one in September 2016.
8. Where can I find official minutes of GST Council meetings?
GST council official website publishes all official Agendas, Minutes, and Recommendations – gstcouncil.gov.in.
Implications & What to Watch Next
- Watch for the notification texts to see exactly which goods/services are shifting slab. Some may have transitional issues.
- Businesses must audit their input tax credit implications: when rate changes, your past credits / stock may require special handling.
- State budget adjustments: how will states compensate for revenue shortfalls? Are there alternate cesses or compensatory grants?
- Implementation logistics: portal updates, GST returns, tax invoices, classification codes / HSN updates, refund mechanisms etc.
Conclusion
The GST Council meetings are much more than bureaucratic gatherings — each meeting potentially impacts what you pay (or collect), what you sell, how you comply, and how businesses function in every part of India. The 56th meeting in September 2025 may well go down as one of the biggest reforms since GST’s launch, because of its ambitious rate rationalisation and simplification agenda.
