57th GST Council Recommends GST Exemptions for Shared Helicopter Services, Seed Warehousing, Coffee Curing and SPFO Services

The 57th Meeting of the GST Council was held on October 08, 2026, in New Delhi, under the chairpersonship of the Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. At the meeting, the GST Council made recommendations relating to process reforms, primarily covering registration, returns, refunds and adjudication; clarifications regarding the applicability of GST on supplies of certain goods and services; and other measures for trade facilitation and streamlining GST compliances.

Transport of passengers by Helicopters from/to specified states: To exempt from GST, the services of passenger transportation by helicopter on seat-sharing basis from/to airports/helipads located in north-eastern states, Sikkim and Bagdogra in West Bengal.

Storage or warehousing of seeds meant for sowing: To exempt from GST, the services by way of storage or warehousing of seeds meant for sowing.

Curing of coffee: To exempt from GST, the agricultural support services of curing coffee provided by the coffee curers to the cultivators.

Taxability of the services of Seamen’s Provident Fund Organisation: To exempt from GST, the services provided by Seamen’s Provident Fund Organisation (SPFO) to persons governed by the Seamen’s Provident Fund Act, 1966.

The Press Release can be accessed at:  https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2320934&reg=48&lang=1