On Monday, February 9, 2026, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat asked the Minister of Finance about the financial burden of GST on medical and educational books, whether the Government is considering exempting such books from GST or placing them in the minimum GST slab, and the steps/actions taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, responded that GST rates and exemptions are prescribed on the recommendations of the GST Council, which is a constitutional body comprising representatives from the States/UTs and Centre and printed books, including Braille books, are currently exempt from GST, therefore no action is required.
Key Entities Referenced
Goods and Services Tax (GST): Tax levied on medical and educational books, subject of the unstarred question.
GST Council: Constitutional body that prescribes GST rates and exemptions.
Ministry of Finance: The ministry to which the question regarding GST on medical and educational books is addressed.
Lok Sabha: The house of parliament where the question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1505
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2026/MAGHA 20,
1947 (SAKA)
EXEMPTION OF GST ON MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL BOOKS
†1505. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the GST levied on
medical and educational books is imposing an additional financial
burden on students and learners;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is considering either completely
exempting such books from GST or placing them in the minimum
GST slab; and
(d) if so, the steps/actions taken/proposed to be taken by the
Government in this regard
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) and (b):
(i) GST rates and exemptions, are prescribed on the
recommendations of the GST Council, which is a constitutional body
comprising representatives from the States/UTs and Centre.
(ii) Presently, Printed books, including Braille books, are exempt
from GST.
(c) and (d) :
(i) No action is required to be taken in the light of reply to parts (a)
and (b) above.
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