Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a press conference on GST 2.0 on Saturday, October 18. During the conference, she informed journalists about the changes brought about by the GST reform.

GST 2.0 India 2025: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a press conference on Saturday, October 18th, regarding GST 2.0. On the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, Sitharaman held a joint press conference with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. During the press conference, she briefed journalists on the changes brought about by the GST reform. The Finance Minister also discussed increased shopping during the festive season and consumer sentiment.
What did Nirmala Sitharaman say?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that GST 2.0 was implemented on the first day of Navratri and has been enthusiastically accepted by all citizens. She further explained that the central government has identified 54 essential commodities, which have benefited directly from tax reductions. According to the Finance Minister, GST reform will increase consumer purchasing power, providing an additional boost of approximately ₹2 lakh crore to the economy.
GST 2.0 is impacting people's pockets, enabling them to save more than before. The government has dubbed GST 2.0 the "GST Savings Festival." During a press conference, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that Prime Minister Modi and the Finance Minister should be thanked for this initiative. He further stated that by providing double benefits, the government has ensured the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi in every home. He described GST 2.0 as the biggest reform since India's independence, which has given a new impetus to investment and trade.
Know what changes have come from the data.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that a significant surge in purchasing power across India occurred in the last nine days of September. Passenger vehicle sales reached 37.2 million units, while two-wheeler sales reached 2.16 million units. Three-wheeler sales also increased by 5.5 percent compared to last year. She added that GST reforms have boosted television sales by 30 to 35 percent, and air conditioner sales have doubled. FMCG sales have also seen an increase.
You may also like
JEE Main 2026 dates announced: Check full schedule, paper pattern & other details here
Delhi should be renamed 'Indraprastha', VHP writes to minister Kapil Mishra
FairPoint: Pakistan's poison comes home to roost
Berries will last 2 weeks longer with 1 simple storage habit
Bihar polls: Nitish Kumar's 10th CM bid – what's at stake for the veteran JD(U) leader?