New Delhi

The International Road Federation (IRF) on Wednesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the GST Council to consider sharply reducing or completely exempting Goods and Services Tax (GST) on helmets, ambulances and essential medical equipment.

In a letter addressed to the prime minister, IRF president emeritus K K Kapila welcomed the government’s efforts towards GST rationalisation and public welfare, while pointing out that several critical safety and healthcare products continue to attract high tax rates, making them less affordable for ordinary citizens.

Kapila noted that helmets currently attract 18 per cent GST despite being mandatory safety gear for two-wheeler riders and playing a crucial role in preventing fatalities and serious injuries on Indian roads.

He also highlighted that ambulances and essential medical devices — including oxygen concentrators, monitors, wheelchairs, implants and other emergency healthcare equipment — continue to face significant taxation even though they are indispensable for healthcare delivery and emergency response systems.

According to the IRF, lowering GST on such products would improve accessibility and affordability, encourage better compliance with road safety norms, strengthen emergency healthcare infrastructure and ultimately help save lives.

The organisation has urged the government to consider either a complete GST exemption or substantial tax reduction on helmets for two-wheeler riders. It has also sought lower GST rates on ambulances, emergency medical transport services and life-saving medical devices and equipment.

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Kapila stressed that helmets should not be treated as luxury items but as essential protective equipment designed to safeguard human life. He added that ambulances function as mobile lifelines during emergencies, while medical devices are critical for patients, hospitals and healthcare providers across the country.