GST Cut on Cement: Will Homebuyers Really Benefit, or Will Developers Pocket the Gains?

The GST Council’s decision to cut cement tax rates to 18% is expected to reduce construction costs by 3–5%. But will this relief ever reach homebuyers? Drawing from two decades of reporting on real estate, Varun Singh argues that past experience shows developers rarely pass on such benefits. From premium reductions to infrastructure boosts like the Coastal Road, home prices have only risen. Unless homebuyers collectively demand accountability, this GST relief too may remain only in builders’ profit books.

Homebuyers to Benefit as GST on Cement, Building Materials Cut From Sept 22

The GST Council’s landmark reform slashes tax rates on cement and key construction materials from September 22, 2025. Homebuyers stand to gain as lower input costs reduce project expenses by 3–5%, boosting affordability in the mid-income and budget housing segments. Experts including Anuj Puri (ANAROCK) and the Cement Manufacturers’ Association hail the move as transformative, with potential to revive demand and accelerate project launches ahead of the festive season.

Homebuyers May Get EMI Relief Soon as Experts Predict RBI Repo Rate Cut in June MPC Meet

With inflation easing and the economic outlook stable, all eyes are on the RBI’s June 2025 MPC meeting, where experts anticipate a 25 basis point repo rate cut. If passed, this would mark the third cut in a row, potentially slashing EMIs and providing relief to homebuyers—especially in affordable and mid-income segments—while stimulating demand in the real estate market.