India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has ushered in a transformative era with the unveiling of what is being touted as “GST 2.0" reforms, effective from 22 September 2025. These changes, announced after the Council’s meeting on 4 September 2025, streamline tax slabs primarily into 5 per cent and 18 per cent categories, with a 40 per cent slab reserved for luxury and sin goods.

Designed to reduce consumer costs, stimulate demand, and bolster innovation, these reforms hold profound implications for sectors like electronics and healthcare, where technology drives progress. By maintaining stability in certain IT hardware categories and slashing rates on critical medical and display equipment, the government is laying a robust foundation for integrating advanced technologies into healthcare delivery and training.

The decision to retain the 18 per cent GST rate on computers and virtual reality (VR) consoles ensures stability for industries reliant on these technologies. VR consoles, classified under electronics, are pivotal for applications like immersive training simulations, including those used in medical education for surgical practice or therapeutic interventions. This unchanged rate provides predictability for businesses navigating global supply chain challenges.

The IT hardware sector, contributing approximately 3.5 per cent to India’s GDP and employing over 4........

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