PM Modi on Sunday, 21st September in his address to the nation hailed the GST 2.0 that is set to roll out from Monday, 22nd September, 2025. It is also the first day of Sharadiya Navratri, thereby kicking off the festive season. In his Independence Day Address he had promised reforms by Diwali and he delivered the same by Navratri, right in time for festivities.
While laying out the major economic reforms, PM Modi said that medicines, insurance and everyday essentials will get cheaper, thanks to just two tax rates, 5% and 18%. Reiterating the commitment to making India self reliant, PM Modi said that every house and shop should be swadeshi and called upon to strengthen the manufacturing sector.
Last month, the Goods and Service Tax Council, in its 56th meeting, cleared the new tax reforms, the first ones since they were implemented eight years ago. Most goods now have a streamlined tax structures with just two primary GST slabs, 5% and 18%.
The government expects that combined with income tax relief measures, the GST changes will result in around Rs 2.5 lakh crore in savings for citizens. This will benefit those in lower income bracket, neo-middle class, middle class, youth, and small business owners.
Further, PM Modi made a strong appeal for “Swadeshi”, that is buying and using Indian-made products. He asked citizens, shops, and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) to adopt and promote indigenous goods. “Every house and shop should be Swadeshi,” he urged.
The ‘Bachat Utsav’ (Savings festival) announced with the rolling out of GST reforms, is in line with the Modi government’s broader vision for ‘Atmanirmbhar Bharat’.
You can watch the full video here:
My address to the nation. https://t.co/OmgbHSmhsi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2025
