India, Dec. 29 -- In 2025, the GST Council implemented substantial tax cuts on construction materials: cement was reduced from 28% to 18%, bricks, tiles, and sand from 18% to 5%, paints and varnishes from 28% to 18%, and marble and granite blocks to 5%. Even modest reductions of 2-3% proved significant for middle-income homebuyers, especially when combined with festive offers and flexible payment plans.

For the Rs.50 lakh- Rs.1 crore housing segment, these cuts improved affordability, although the extent of the benefit hinges on the project stage, procurement cycles, and contractual frameworks. Whether developers pass on these savings in 2026 with new launches remains to be seen. The GST reductions also provided a boon for individuals co...