---
title: "GST Council (Article 279A): Powers & Voting | Model Diplomat"
description: "The GST Council, established under Article 279A, advises on GST matters and is crucial for UPSC aspirants studying Indian polity."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/gst-council-article-279a"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The GST Council is a constitutional body under Article 279A of the Indian Constitution that makes recommendations to the Union and States on Goods and Services Tax matters.
- Are GST Council recommendations binding on the Union and State governments?
- How does the weighted voting formula in Article 279A(9) work?
- What taxes were subsumed into GST under the Article 279A framework?
- How is the GST Council different from the Finance Commission?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research GST Council (Article 279A) like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Timeline

1. 15 September 2016

   The President issued the constituting order on , and the Council held its first meeting on 22–23 September 2016 in New Delhi.

2. 23 September 2016

   The President issued the constituting order on 15 September 2016, and the Council held its first meeting on 22– in New Delhi.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about GST Council (Article 279A)

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on GST Council (Article 279A)](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20GST%20Council%20\(Article%20279A\)%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

The 23rd GST Council meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Guwahati in November 2017, reduced rates on around 178 items from the 28 percent slab to lower brackets.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take GST Council (Article 279A) beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.