The GST Council, in its 56th meeting chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reduced GST on pencils, crayons, pastels, drawing charcoal, chalk sticks, and tailor’s chalk from 12% to nil. Exercise books, graph books, laboratory notebooks, and notebooks too have been exempted from GST, compared with 12% earlier.

Additionally, boxes, pouches, wallets, and writing compendiums of paper or paperboard containing assorted stationery will now attract 5% GST instead of 12%.

The move is expected to make school supplies more affordable for students while boosting demand for stationery companies.