(Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi)

Summary of Points Finalized in the Meeting

1. IT Readiness of GSTN for Roll-out of GST

The Council reviewed the preparedness of the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) for GST implementation.

It was confirmed that core front-end services like registration, return filing, tax payments, and input credit reconciliation were functional.

The back-end systems for 27 States/UTs were near completion, with final testing scheduled before 1 July 2017.

Over 77% of existing taxpayers were successfully migrated to the GST system.

The security system was confirmed as multi-layered and ISO 27001 compliant, ensuring data integrity and protection.

The Council noted readiness for roll-out and approved continued testing and integration with State systems.
15th GST Council Meeting, pages 9–15, 10 

2. Approval of Amendments to Draft GST Rules and Forms

Return Rules and Forms, Transition Rules, and GST Practitioner Rules were approved with modifications:

Input Tax Credit (ITC) for traders without excise invoices increased to 60% (for goods taxed at 9% or above) and 40% (for others).

ITC for IGST allowed at 30% or 20%, depending on tax rate.

Period for filing transitional declarations extended from 60 to 90 days, extendable by another 90 days.

Simplified return forms: GSTR-3 auto-populated, HS Codes at 2-digit or 4-digit level, and audit threshold raised to ₹2 crore.

Existing Tax Practitioners with 5+ years’ experience allowed to continue under GST for 1 year, subject to clearing a competency exam.
15th GST Council Meeting, pages 16–18, 17–18 

3. Finalization of GST Rates and Cess on Remaining Commodities

The Council approved GST rates on pending items from the 14th Meeting:

Branded Cereals, Pulses, and Flour: 5% GST.

Footwear: Below ₹500 – 5%; above ₹500 – 18%.

Textiles: Cotton fabrics exempt; man-made fabrics taxed at 5%.

Gold: Tax rate fixed at 3%.

Rough Diamonds: 0.25%.

Biscuits and Food Products: 18%.

Packaged Drinking Water: 18%.

Handmade Carpets: 5%.

Solar Panels and Renewable Energy Devices: 5%.
15th GST Council Meeting, pages 19–32, 22–31 

4. Anti-Profiteering Mechanism

The Council approved the Anti-Profiteering Framework under GST to ensure benefit of tax reduction is passed to consumers.

A five-member authority (National Anti-Profiteering Authority) would be set up, with powers to determine profiteering and order refunds or price reductions.
15th GST Council Meeting, pages 33–35, 34 

5. Other Approvals

Electricity: Decided to keep electricity outside GST initially.

Composition Levy: The Council decided to notify provisions and operationalize the scheme for small taxpayers.

E-Way Bill: States allowed to continue their existing systems until national framework implementation.

Officer Appointments and Registration: Provisions approved for notification to enable implementation by 1 July 2017.
15th GST Council Meeting, pages 36–38, 37–38

Key Outcome:
The 15th GST Council Meeting finalized tax rates for all commodities, approved remaining GST rules, and confirmed IT preparedness for a nationwide GST rollout on 1 July 2017 — marking the last major preparatory step before implementation.