Starting September 22, 2025, the Indian government has slashed GST rates on air conditioners, large-screen TVs, and dishwashers from 28% to 18%. For washing machines, the 18% GST continues.
This means real savings, more options, and greater comfort for Indian families.
Why Does a GST Rate Cut Matter to Modern Indian Homes?
Let’s start with a familiar scene. It’s the week before Diwali. Your living room is a flurry of cleaning, cousins are visiting, and your old AC rattles every night. In the corner, your television, not smart, not big, not really keeping up with the latest cricket streaming, is long overdue for an upgrade.
But every time you check prices online, that big chunk called “GST” quietly inflates the cost, pushing your wishlist out of reach.
This isn’t just a story for you, it’s the reality for millions of Indian households, from working couples in Mumbai flats to joint families in tier-two towns. GST, or Goods and Services Tax, was always supposed to simplify taxation. But for big-ticket appliances, 28% felt like a wall.
Now, that wall’s coming down.
How Big Is the Price Drop? Real Numbers, Real Impact
Here’s what changed:
| Appliance | Old GST Rate | New GST Rate | Effective From |
| Air Conditioners | 28% | 18% | 22 Sep 2025 |
| LED/LCD TVs (>32”) | 28% | 18% | 22 Sep 2025 |
| Dishwashers | 28% | 18% | 22 Sep 2025 |
| Washing Machines | 18% (since 2018) | 18% | Ongoing |
Take a mid-range AC costing ₹40,000 (before GST):
- Old Price with GST (28%): ₹51,200
- New Price with GST (18%): ₹47,200
- You save: ₹4,000
For a premium 55-inch smart TV, or a high-capacity washing machine, the savings climb even higher. Suddenly, that stretch from “maybe next year” to “let’s buy it this festival season” doesn’t seem so impossible.
Who Wins With the New GST?
Everyday Indian families. First-time homebuyers. Working professionals who need an AC to get through Delhi’s humid nights. Parents eyeing a new TV for family cricket marathons. Seniors tired of hand-washing clothes. The list is long, and it’s real.
What’s changed is not just the math, but the mood. The difference between settling and upgrading. The leap from “adjust karo” to “let’s get the one we actually want.”
Why Did the GST Council Finally Act?
India’s GST reform has always been about more than numbers. It’s about access. As more families move into their first homes, as rental apartments become starter nests, and as lifestyle aspirations grow beyond “basic,” the need for smarter, affordable appliances has never been higher.
According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the new two-slab GST system is meant to “lower the tax burden on common people with sweeping rate cuts” and to “facilitate ease of doing business”.
The GST Council, with state and central ministers in rare consensus, saw that a 28% tax on everyday appliances wasn’t serving the middle class or the India growth story.
The pandemic also taught Indian households a powerful lesson: comfort, hygiene, and digital connection aren’t luxuries anymore, they’re basic needs. Lowering the GST reflects that reality.
What Does This Mean for the Festive Season?
Timing matters. The GST cut kicks in from the first day of Navratri. For millions, that’s when big purchases happen: a new AC for summer, a smart TV for cricket nights, a washing machine for wedding trousseau.
Here’s what you’ll notice this year:
- Bigger screens, more screens: Smart TVs over 32 inches are finally within reach for many.
- Premium ACs, smarter choices: That next-gen inverter AC isn’t just a pipe dream.
- No more “wait for year-end sales”: The price drop is baked in.
It’s not just about discounts. It’s about options.
How Haier India Fits Into the New GST Era?
This is where systems thinking matters. A GST rate cut is more than a headline. It’s an invitation to rethink what’s possible for your home.
Haier India, one of the country’s most loved appliance brands, has always believed in “Inspired Living”, not just by making smart, reliable ACs, TVs, and washing machines, but by making them attainable. With a GST rate cut, Haier’s promise of value, innovation, and everyday comfort now feels even more tangible.
Picture this:
- A Haier smart TV in your living room, bringing families together over cricket, films, and festival specials.
- A Haier AC in your bedroom, quietly saving power and keeping nights restful through every season.
- A Haier washing machine making weekend laundry effortless, freeing up time for what matters.
When tax burdens fall, brands like Haier can do what they do best: help real people create homes that feel sorted, stylish, and ready for anything.
Three Ways the GST Cut Changes Your Appliance Choices
1. Upgrade Without the Guilt
Old thinking: “Do I really need a bigger TV? Maybe next year.”
New reality: “That 55-inch 4K screen is 10% cheaper overnight. Why not now?”
2. Stretch for Smarter Features
Instead of choosing between size and features, families can afford both. Go for that energy-efficient AC or smart washing machine without breaking the bank.
3. Festive Planning Gets Easier
Instead of chasing flash sales or hunting for bundle offers, the savings are built-in. Diwali, Eid, housewarming, wedding gifts, big-ticket appliances now fit the family budget with less mental math.
Who Still Pays 28%? The Limits of the Reform
It’s worth being clear. Not every appliance is part of this GST rate cut. Refrigerators, microwaves, and some other electronics still attract higher GST or stay at their previous rates.
But for the three essentials, ACs, large TVs, and washing machines, the wall has come down.
Quick List – What This Means for Indian Homes?
- Lower EMIs and upfront costs on ACs, smart TVs, and washing machines
- More transparency in pricing, fewer hidden costs at checkout
- Level playing field for brands, best features and quality win, not just biggest discounts
- Smarter homes for more people, families, bachelors, retired couples, and young professionals all benefit
Expert View – Why Industry Welcomed the Cut?
Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, calls it “pathbreaking… this clarity will ease compliance, reduce litigation, and give businesses and consumers the predictability they need”.
What Should Indian Families Do Now?
Three options, clearly laid out:
- Option 1: Upgrade now to take immediate advantage of the new rates
- Option 2: Wait for festive offers and combine savings with deals
- Option 3: Invest in higher-capacity or smarter models, knowing you’re paying less in tax
Each choice is easier than before. Each one is a small win for household budgets.
How Does This Fit Into the Bigger Picture?
GST is more than a tax. It’s a mirror of priorities.
When the government cuts rates on ACs, TVs, and washing machines, it’s saying:
“Comfort, connection, and convenience aren’t luxuries. They’re part of what it means to live well in India today.”
The next time you walk into an electronics store or browse online, remember: that lower price tag isn’t just a discount. It’s a new baseline.
Here is a GST Cuts at a Glance
| Appliance | Old GST Rate | New GST Rate (Effective 22nd Sept 2025) |
| Air Conditioner | 28% | 18% |
| LED/LCD TV (>32”) | 28% | 18% |
| Dishwasher | 28% | 18% |
| Washing Machine | 18% (since 2018) | 18% |
These numbers are indicative and for educational purposes only. Exact savings will depend on the model and city.
Why Does This Moment Feels Different?
It’s not every year that government policy, festive timing, and technology trends align.
This GST cut is a signal. Not just about money, but about what matters.
- When comfort becomes more affordable, people invest in better lives.
- When price transparency goes up, trust rises.
- When big brands like Haier pass on the savings, households feel it, not as a windfall, but as a new normal.
Small Policy, Big Impact!
Indian homes are changing. GST rates are just one part of a much bigger shift, towards smarter, connected, stress-free living. When barriers fall, brands and families both win.
Sometimes, a few percentage points are all it takes to move from “maybe someday” to “let’s do it now.”
Haier India stands ready for this new era, quietly making every home a little more joyful, a little more future-ready, and a lot more comfortable.
Want to explore Haier’s latest range of air conditioners, smart TVs, and washing machines designed for modern Indian families?
Visit Haier India’s official website for product details, real-life tips, and ideas to make your home festival-ready, every single day.