Revised GST Rates for Indian Flatbreads
The 56th GST Council meeting has standardized GST rates for traditional Indian flatbreads like roti, chapati, khakhra, paratha, and parotta, effective September 22, 2025. This change reduces the GST on all these items to zero, eliminating the previous disparity where parathas were taxed at 18% and rotis at 5%. The move aims to simplify taxation and make these everyday food items more affordable for consumers, aligning with the government's efforts for a more consumer-friendly GST framework.
Revised GST Rates for Indian Flatbreads
A significant discussion has emerged among Indian consumers regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) applied to parathas, primarily due to previous disparities in taxation compared to rotis. However, the 56th GST Council meeting recently provided welcome clarity and adjustments that are expected to benefit many.
Effective September 22, 2025, the GST rate for a variety of traditional Indian flatbreads, such as roti, chapati, khakhra, paratha, and parotta, has been reduced to zero. This marks a substantial change from prior regulations, where rotis were subject to 5% GST, and parathas, classified as processed items requiring heating, incurred an 18% GST.
The earlier taxation difference arose because parathas include extra ingredients and necessitate heating before consumption, distinguishing them from simple rotis. This perceived complexity led to their classification under a higher tax category. Nevertheless, recent governmental reforms aim to streamline these rules and alleviate the tax burden on these widely consumed food items.
To summarize the changes:
- Roti and Chapati: Previously taxed at 5% GST, now reduced to 0%.
- Paratha: Formerly subject to 18% GST, now also decreased to 0%.
Consequently, all these beloved Indian bread varieties now share an equal GST status, contributing to their increased affordability for consumers. This adjustment aligns with the government's broader efforts to simplify GST regulations and enhance their consumer-friendliness, although the official notification from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is still pending.