GST Council keeps 18% tax on smartphones in India

India's GST Council left the 18% GST rate on mobile phones unchanged at its 57th meeting, so smartphone prices will stay the same. No decision was made on the UPI merchant discount rate; registration, refunds and penalties were simplified for businesses.

• GST rate on smartphones stays at 18%, no price relief
• GST prosecution threshold raised from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore
• Maximum general penalty cut from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10,000
• No decision announced on UPI merchant discount rate