Why Air Purifiers Attract 18% GST Despite Delhi Pollution? Delhi HC vs Finance Ministry

1. 👩🏻‍🏫 Free Class on Monthly Current Affairs https://unacademy.com/class/mrunals-economy-monthly-current-2025-dec-for-upsc/OBM0W2HR 2. 🔠 only Prelims Powerhouse- 9,999/- (incl. GS+CSAT) https://unacademy.com/goal/upsc-civil-services-examination-ias-preparation/KSCGY/store (🔖discount Code: 'Mrunal.org') 3. ✍🏻 Prelims + Mains: https://unacademy.com/goal/upsc-civil-services-examination-ias-preparation/KSCGY/subscribe?plan_type=plus&referral_code=mrunal.org 4. 📘 Amazon pe Mrunal’s Economy Book: https://amzn.to/3Jb5rf7 5. 📆 Free Annual economy updates Win25: Mrunal.org/win25 6. 💾 Free Download the topicwise PYQ paperset, monthly current affairs magazine, & more from https://unacademy.com/content/upsc/downloads/ In this important Economy Current Affairs lecture, renowned UPSC educator and Economy expert Dr. Mrunal Patel explains the recent controversy surrounding GST rates on air purifiers. With severe air pollution plaguing Delhi and deteriorating Air Quality Index levels, several petitioners filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court demanding reduction in GST on air purifiers from the current 18% slab to just 5%. The argument was straightforward – air purifiers priced between ₹10,000 to ₹60,000 should become more affordable for the common man to combat health risks caused by polluted air. However, the Finance Ministry, represented by its government advocate, strongly opposed any court intervention. They argued that determining GST rates is exclusively the domain of the GST Council – a constitutional body. Any interference by the judiciary would amount to "judicial overreach". The Ministry clarified that decisions in the GST Council are taken through voting: Centre holds 33% voting power, all states collectively hold 67%, and any decision requires 75% votes in favour. The government also rejected the petitioners' request to immediately convene a GST Council meeting via video conferencing, stating that voting in the Council is done through secret ballot on paper, which cannot be conducted online. Physical meetings are mandatory, and scheduling them is at the discretion of the Council. Another demand in the PIL was to classify air purifiers as "medical devices" to attract 0-5% GST applicable on most medical equipment. The Finance Ministry countered this by pointing out that such classification would require air purifier manufacturers to obtain licences from CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) and DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) – similar to glucometers, X-ray machines, etc. Smaller electronics companies may not be able to comply with stringent regulations, leading to closures and eventual monopoly by a few large players who could then hike prices significantly. The government advocate even raised suspicion whether the PIL was genuinely for public interest or driven by vested interests of certain companies aiming to create monopoly through medical device classification. Dr. Mrunal Patel breaks down this entire issue in simple language, connecting it with the broader GST structure: luxury SUVs attract up to 40% GST + compensation cess, most medicines attract 0-5%, electronics like mobiles, TVs, refrigerators and air purifiers fall under 18% slab. This video is extremely useful for aspirants preparing for UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL, State PSC, Banking, IBPS, RBI Grade B, CAPF, CDS, EPFO APFC and all other competitive examinations where Economy and Current Affairs carry significant weightage. Join Dr. Mrunal Patel's FREE Lifetime class covering all Economy Current Affairs of December 2025 from The Hindu & Indian Express newspapers. Class Schedule: Tuesday night at 9:00 PM on Unacademy platform – completely FREE! After the class, you can download the PowerPoint slides for free. Download Unacademy App today, search "Mrunal Patel", go to Free Classes tab – everything is available there. Use coupon code "Mrunal.org" to get maximum discount on Unacademy Plus/Iconic subscriptions for structured preparation. **SEO Tags:** GST on Air Purifiers, Air Purifier GST India, Delhi High Court PIL GST, Finance Ministry GST Council, Judicial Overreach GST, Economy Current Affairs December 2025, Mrunal Patel Economy, UPSC Economy 2026, Delhi Pollution Air Purifiers, GST Slabs Explained, GST Council Voting, CDSCO Medical Device, Public Interest Litigation GST, Unacademy Mrunal, Mrunal.org Coupon, RBI Grade B Economy, SSC CGL Economy, State PSC Economy, Current Affairs 2025