New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a rare exemption on integrated GST (IGST) and compensation cess for the new official car of President Droupadi Murmu. The decision paves the way for the import of a Rs 3.66 crore armoured BMW sedan, which will soon replace the existing Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard in the President’s motorcade.
Ordinarily, the import of a luxury car into India attracts heavy taxation, including 28% IGST, basic customs duty, and additional cess. However, in this case, the Council accepted the recommendation of its fitment committee to waive the levy, arguing that the President’s vehicle cannot be treated as a private luxury purchase. Instead, it is categorized as a critical state asset, essential for the safety and mobility of the Head of State.
The exemption was possible only with the collective approval of both the Centre and the states, as GST is a dual levy. Officials emphasized that such reliefs are granted only in exceptional cases, typically when the purchase serves a non-commercial, national interest.
The current Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard has served multiple presidents with its advanced security features, including ballistic protection, blast-resistant underbody, multi-layered bulletproof glass, a self-sealing fuel tank, and even an independent oxygen supply system.
The new BMW is expected to offer enhanced protection, likely with upgraded armor plating, reinforced floors, advanced surveillance systems, and counter-assault technologies designed to withstand modern threats. For the President’s Secretariat, the replacement is not about luxury but about ensuring the highest level of security in a changing risk environment.
Tax exemptions of this nature are almost never granted for vehicles. They are handled on a case-by-case basis, and only when the purchase is deemed critical to public interest. The Council’s decision highlights the exceptional status of the presidential office and the need to ensure that India’s Head of State is equipped with the safest available mode of transport.
Officials stressed that while the cost of Rs 3.66 crore might invite comparisons with luxury imports, the President’s car is fundamentally different from a privately owned high-end vehicle. It is a moving fortress, symbolizing both the dignity of the office and the state’s commitment to safeguarding its highest constitutional authority.
With the GST Council’s green signal, the new BMW armoured sedan will soon be inducted into the President’s convoy, continuing a long tradition of blending ceremonial grandeur with uncompromising security.