As the GST marks eight years since its rollout, SBI Research report is urging policymakers to recalibrate the tax regime’s implementation with greater empathy and fairness—especially toward India’s small traders.

While GST has undeniably transformed India’s fiscal landscape, ushering in greater transparency, formalisation, and revenue buoyancy, its future success hinges on protecting, not penalising, the very businesses it was designed to empower.