Fri Dec 26 07:26:02 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:

Summary:

The Delhi High Court has instructed the Indian government to submit a detailed response to a petition advocating for reduced GST on air purifiers. Citing the worsening air quality in Delhi, the petition argues air purifiers should be classified as medical devices and taxed at a lower rate of 5% instead of the current 18%. The government argued that changes to GST policy require in-person meetings of the GST council, which are difficult to arrange. The court initially directed the GST Council to consider the tax reduction, and is now awaiting the government’s formal reply.

News Article:

Delhi High Court Orders Government to Respond to Air Purifier Tax Cut Plea

New Delhi – December 26, 2025 – The Delhi High Court has ordered the central government to file a detailed affidavit addressing a petition seeking a significant reduction in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) levied on air purifiers. The petition argues that the devices are essential for public health due to Delhi’s severe air pollution and should be classified as medical devices, thereby qualifying for a lower 5% GST rate compared to the current 18%.

A vacation bench comprising Justice Vikas Mahajan and Justice Vinod Kumar granted the government 10 days to respond. The case is scheduled for further hearing on January 9th.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman, representing the government, explained the challenges of convening the GST Council, the body responsible for setting GST rates. He cited the requirement for physical, in-person meetings and voting within the constitutional body, making a swift virtual meeting impossible.

Advocate Kapil Madan, who filed the public interest litigation, asserts that air purifiers should not be considered luxury items given the “extreme emergency crisis” caused by hazardous air quality in the capital.

The High Court previously directed the GST Council to consider lowering or abolishing GST on air purifiers, and the current hearing aimed to determine the timeline and feasibility of such a meeting. The court now awaits the government’s detailed justification for its position. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the affordability and accessibility of air purifiers in Delhi and other heavily polluted regions across India.

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