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GST Made Simpler For Small Entrepreneurs In India
Three months after the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST,) the Government announced the GST taxation policies will be revamped to make the process a less painful exercise. The renewed indirect tax regime will help ease the concerns of traders, exporters and small businesses in India.
At the 22nd meeting, the council consisting of all the finance ministers of all the states, announced a slew of new measures to reduce the burden and stress the implementation of the GST has brought to exporters and small businesses. In accordance with the new measures, businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 1.5 crores would be allowed to file quarterly income returns instead of the current provision of monthly filings. This switch over to quarterly filings from monthly fillings will kick off from October 1. However, all the businesses will have to file monthly returns for the July – September period.
The limit for the composition scheme was also been increased to Rs. 1 crore from Rs. 75 lakhs to help the trade and industry sector adjust to the GST compliance. Under the composition scheme, businesses trading in goods have to file 1% tax, while manufacturers and suppliers of food or drinks file a 2% and a 5% tax respectively.
According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the changes in the taxation system are in line with the government’s constant endeavor to safeguard the citizens’ interests and ensure a growth in the Indian economy. Speaking about the changes, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “ After almost three months since GST rollout, it is time to deliberate on its effect on various trades and the transition.” PM Modi had indicated earlier this week that the Government was ready to push for relief measures to reduce the problems faced by small businesses and other sections of the economy.
Apart from the new relief measures for small businesses entrepreneurs, the Council also decided to cut the GST rates on 27 other items including the food industry, textile industry and exporters of goods and services. In the meanwhile, services like imitation, zari and printing items will be taxed at 5% instead of the 12%, while service providers with revenue of less than Rs. 20 lakhs have been exempted from the list.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
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₹290 Crore Boost: Rozana’s Series B Funding Scales Rural Retail Network Nationwide
