The Government rolled out GST 2.0 from September 22, 2025. The Prime Minister called it the 'GST Bachat Utsav' because the reform message centred on relief for ordinary consumers and small businesses. The package rationalized tax slabs, cut rates on over 390 items, and emphasized simpler compliance. In economic-policy terms, the measure is linked with boosting consumption, reducing costs, and easing the compliance burden on MSMEs.

For exams, the reform can be tested through rate-structure changes, tax compliance, consumer demand, and effects on small businesses. Since GST was introduced in 2017 as a major unified tax reform, any large overhaul of its rate structure and compliance system becomes important for prelims and mains. GST 2.0 is described as simplifying the return-filing process, reducing the number of tax slabs, and increasing the eligibility threshold for the composition scheme.

The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal was also launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as a dedicated quasi-judicial body for GST disputes. It functions as a formal appellate mechanism above the first appellate authority. Prelims can ask the rollout date, the 'GST Bachat Utsav' name, the over-390-items rate cut, MSME relief, and compliance simplification. Mains answers can link the reform to tax administration, consumption support, and ease of doing business. Rajasthan and other state exams can also test such Centre-State effects on tax rates and consumer relief.