GST cuts and Arunachal Pradesh: kiwi, Arunachal Orange, Yak Churpi and crafts move to 5%
A PIB explainer on 9 October 2025 said GST on Arunachal Pradesh's key farm, processed and craft products has fallen from 12–18% to 5%, helping kiwi (over 50% of India's output), GI-tagged Arunachal Orange, Adi Kekir ginger and Yak Churpi.
Summary
A PIB explainer on 9 October 2025 described how GST cuts from 12–18% to 5% on key agricultural, horticultural, processed and artisanal products benefit Arunachal Pradesh, where over 70% of people depend on farming. Arunachal is India's largest kiwi producer, with over 50% of national output (4,492 tonnes in 2022–23), and home to India's first certified organic, GI-tagged kiwi, grown mainly in Ziro Valley; GST on kiwi and processed products fell from 12% to 5%, supporting the Kiwi Mission 2025. GST on juices and jams of the GI-tagged Arunachal Orange, processed Adi Kekir ginger, and Yak Churpi — a GI-tagged cheese made by Brokpa and Monpa herders in Tawang and West Kameng — also fell from 12% to 5%, as did Idu Mishmi textiles, bamboo and cane furniture and plywood. GST on spices such as large cardamom stays at 5%.
Key facts
- Overall
- GST on key products cut from 12–18% to 5%
- Kiwi
- Over 50% of India's output; first organic GI kiwi (Ziro); 12% → 5%
- GI products
- Arunachal Orange, Adi Kekir ginger, Yak Churpi (Brokpa, Monpa)
- Crafts
- Idu Mishmi textiles, bamboo/cane, plywood — 12% → 5%
- Unchanged
- Spices (e.g. large cardamom) stay at 5%
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to the PIB explainer of October 2025, Arunachal Pradesh accounts for what share of India's kiwi output?
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Correct answer: B — Over 50%
PIB: Arunachal Pradesh is India's largest kiwi producer with over 50% of national output (4,492 MT in 2022–23).
Consider the following statements from the PIB explainer on GST cuts in Arunachal Pradesh (October 2025): 1. Yak Churpi, a GI-tagged cheese, is traditionally made by the Brokpa and Monpa communities. 2. GST on spices such as large cardamom was cut from 12% to 5%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: Yak Churpi is a GI-tagged Himalayan cheese made by the yak-herding Brokpa and Monpa communities; GST on spices continues to be 5% — the relief for cardamom growers comes from cheaper inputs such as tractors.