The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued a newsletter dated 22 September 2025 highlighting key developments. The Government launched the “GST Bachat Utsav” as part of the Next Generation GST reforms, aimed at making essential goods more affordable for households and urging businesses to pass on rate cut benefits to consumers. To ensure transparency, CGST Zones have been instructed to monitor price trends before and after the revisions. CBIC also secured the first rank among 42 ministries and departments in grievance redressal under CPGRAMS, reflecting its efficiency in addressing public complaints. At the international level, the BRICS meeting in Brazil recognized NACIN Palasamudram as the BRICS Centre of Excellence, strengthening India’s role in customs training and knowledge sharing. Domestically, work commenced on India’s first indigenously developed Drive-Through Cargo Scanner at JN Customs House, Nhava Sheva, developed by BARC with support from JNPA and Customs, which will enhance non-intrusive inspection and trade facilitation. On enforcement, the CGST Coimbatore Commissionerate arrested a jewellery firm proprietor for evading GST worth ₹51.17 crore, linked to clandestine removal of jewellery valued at around ₹1,700 crore. These updates reflect CBIC’s ongoing efforts in tax reform implementation, grievance resolution, global leadership, infrastructure modernization, and anti-evasion enforcement.
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
DO No. 38/News Letter/CH(IC)/2025|Dated: 22nd September, 2025
Dear Colleague
This Navratri begins on a historic note as the nation welcomes the Next Generation GST reforms. Marking the occasion, Hon’ble Prime Minister announced the commencement of the GST Bachat Utsav, bringing the spirit of savings and growth to every household. Describing it as a “new wave of GST benefits coming to every citizen,” the Hon’ble Prime Minister underlined that the essential items will become more affordable, thereby easing the lives of the poor, middle class, farmers, women, students and youth. These pathbreaking changes are expected to accelerate India’s growth story and strengthen self-reliance.
In this backdrop, it is now expected that the trade 86 industry will pass on the benefit of these rate cuts to consumers, reflected directly in the retail price. To ensure that this intended relief truly reaches the consumers, the Board had advised to track the price trends in respect of certain commonly used commodities pre and post rate revision. It is reiterated that the CGST Zones put in place a mechanism to monitor the same.
CBIC has once again achieved the first rank among 42 Ministries/ Departments in the latest assessment of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) on CPGRAMS! This remarkable achievement is the result of the collective commitment and tireless efforts of our officers who have worked diligently to redress grievances with both speed and sensitivity. Heartiest congratulations to Team CBIC for upholding the highest standards of grievance redressal and ensuring that the Department continues to set a benchmark for excellence.
During the BRICS Heads of Customs Administrations Meeting in Manaus, Brazil last week, it was decided to elevate NACIN Palasamudram as the BRICS Centre of Excellence. This is a significant outcome for Indian Customs as it recognizes the country’s leadership role in customs capacity building and knowledge sharing at the international level. This recognition also underscores NACIN’s continued contribution to developing world-class training and promoting best practices in customs administration.
Modern and technology-driven infrastructure is a must for seamless trade. Taking this vision forward, the bhoomi poojan for the commencement of construction of the country’s first indigenously developed Drive-Through Cargo Scanner (ICS) at JN Customs House, Nhava Sheva was done last week. Developed by BARC with the support of JNPA and Customs, this cutting-edge innovation in non-intrusive cargo inspection will significantly strengthen border security while enabling faster and seamless trade flows. The ICS stands as a true sentinel of India’s trade corridors under the vision of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
On the anti-evasion front, the CGST Coimbatore Commissionerate arrested the proprietor of a major jewellery firm for evasion of GST amounting to Rs. 51.17 Crores. Based on specific intelligence gathered by the officers of the Preventive Unit, multiple searches were conducted at premises linked to the firm. Investigations revealed that the firm had clandestinely removed gold jewellery worth about Rs. 1700 Crores without issuing GST invoices. Kudos to the officers for exposing this large-scale evasion!
Till next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes 86 Customs
