Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 5 pm today, the Prime Minister’s Office has announced. While the subject of the address has not been confirmed, speculation is rife that it could focus on the rollout of GST 2.0 reforms, which take effect tomorrow. The agency reports that the address comes at a significant time, coinciding with major economic and policy developments.

The GST 2.0 reforms are set to simplify the indirect tax structure by reducing the existing four slabs to two – 5 per cent and 18 per cent – with luxury goods falling under a higher 40 per cent rate. This rationalisation is expected to lower the cost of essentials like ghee, paneer, coffee and medicines, alongside appliances and cars. With the cuts taking effect on the first day of Navratri, the government hopes to stimulate festive season demand and provide relief to consumers.

Since 2014, PM Modi has used such nationwide addresses to announce critical decisions, from demonetisation in 2016 to the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. His last address on May 12, 2025, detailed Operation Sindoor. Today’s speech could mark another defining policy moment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 5 pm today, the Prime Minister’s Office has announced. While the subject of the address has not been confirmed, speculation is rife that it could focus on the rollout of GST 2.0 reforms, which take effect tomorrow. The agency reports that the address comes at a significant time, coinciding with major economic and policy developments.

The GST 2.0 reforms are set to simplify the indirect tax structure by reducing the existing four slabs to two – 5 per cent and 18 per cent – with luxury goods falling under a higher 40 per cent rate. This rationalisation is expected to lower the cost of essentials like ghee, paneer, coffee and medicines, alongside appliances and cars. With the cuts taking effect on the first day of Navratri, the government hopes to stimulate festive season demand and provide relief to consumers.

Since 2014, PM Modi has used such nationwide addresses to announce critical decisions, from demonetisation in 2016 to the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. His last address on May 12, 2025, detailed Operation Sindoor. Today’s speech could mark another defining policy moment.