--- title: "Chalk New GST Rate 2026: 0% Rate on White Chalk, Chalk Powder" description: "New GST rate on chalk in 2026 is 0% on all white chalk, chalk sticks and chalk powder. Stay GST-compliant with Busy and apply the correct rate automatically." canonical: "https://busy.in/gst-rates/chalk/" author: "Jagdish Prasad" published: "2025-05-19T14:50:58.000Z" category: "GST Rates" --- - Specified **writing/drawing chalk, tailor’s chalk and chalk sticks** under HSN **9608/9609** are now **Nil-rated**, reduced from the previous **12% GST** from **22 September 2025**. - These educational and art-supply chalk products now attract **0% GST** under the revised rate structure. - Exercise books, graph books, laboratory notebooks and notebooks are also **Nil-rated**, while GST on other stationery items depends on their classification. - Businesses supplying Nil-rated chalk generally cannot claim Input Tax Credit attributable to those exempt supplies and may need to reverse related ITC as applicable. - The Nil rate applies based on the product’s classification, not simply because it is supplied to a school, educational institution or NGO. # Chalk New GST Rate: Tax Details for Educational and Art Supplies Chalk is a simple yet essential tool used in classrooms, art projects, and workshops across India. Whether it’s white chalk for blackboards or colored chalk for drawing, it plays a big role in both learning and creativity. But how much tax does it attract? Here’s everything you need to know about the **chalk GST rate** in India. ## **New GST Rate on Chalk in India** The GST rate depends on the type of chalk. **Writing or drawing chalk and chalk sticks under HSN 9609 are Nil-rated.** From **22 September 2025**, **tailor’s chalk**, which earlier attracted 12% GST, also became **Nil-rated**. | Chalk Type | HSN Code | Current GST Rate | | --- | --- | --- | | Blackboard/writing chalk sticks | 9609 | **Nil** | | Coloured drawing chalk | 9609 | **Nil** | | Tailor’s chalk | 9609 | **Nil** | | School chalk sticks | 9609 | **Nil** | **Note:** Writing/drawing chalk sticks were already Nil-rated before the September 2025 rationalisation. The 2025 change specifically brought items such as **tailor’s chalk** from **12% to Nil**. ## **New GST on Chalk vs Other Educational Supplies** | Item | New GST Rate | | --- | --- | | White/blackboard chalk sticks | **Nil** | | Notebooks | **Nil** | | Printed textbooks | **Nil** | | Pencils, crayons, pastels and drawing charcoals | **Nil** | | Pens (ball/gel/fountain) | **18%** | | Erasers | **Nil** | | Rulers and measuring instruments | **18%** | | Artists’/students’ colours, including watercolour paints | **18%** | **Note:** From **22 September 2025**, several educational supplies received further GST relief. Pencils, crayons, pastels, drawing charcoals and tailor’s chalk moved from **12% to Nil**, while erasers moved from **5% to Nil** and notebooks moved from **12% to Nil**. Writing and drawing chalk sticks and printed textbooks were already Nil-rated. Pens, rulers and artists’ colours generally continue to attract **18% GST**. ## Is Chalk Taxable Under GST? Yes, chalk is taxable under the [Goods and Services Tax (GST)](https://busy.in/gst/) . However, because it is considered an educational item, it enjoys a lower tax rate compared to other art or stationery items. Chalk falls under [HSN Code](https://busy.in/hsn/) 9609, which includes: - Blackboard chalk - Tailors’ chalk - Colored chalk for art and drawing - Other chalks used in writing or marking Live Demo Available Today ## Low Stock Again? Get Critical Level Alerts In BUSY Trusted by 6,00,000+ Users 4.6 Google Rating \* No credit card required ## **Old GST Rate on Chalk in India** ### **Old GST Rates – Applicable Until 21 September 2025** | Chalk Type | HSN Code | Old GST Rate | | --- | --- | --- | | Whiteboard/blackboard chalk sticks | 9609 | **Nil** | | Writing or drawing chalk sticks | 9609 | **Nil** | | Coloured chalk sticks | 9609 | **Nil** | | Tailor’s chalk | 9609 | **12%** | | School chalk sticks | 9609 | **Nil** | **Note:** Chalk sticks under HSN 9609 were already **Nil-rated** before 22 September 2025. **Tailor’s chalk**, which previously attracted **12% GST**, became Nil-rated from **22 September 2025**. ## **What If Chalk Is Supplied to Schools or NGOs?** Writing, drawing and school chalk classified under **HSN 9609 is Nil-rated under GST**. Therefore, no GST is charged on these supplies whether they are sold to **schools, educational institutions, NGOs, charitable organisations or regular customers**. The GST rate depends on the **product classification**, not on who purchases the chalk. ## **Old GST on Chalk vs Other Educational Supplies** | Item | Old GST Rate | | --- | --- | | White/blackboard chalk sticks | **Nil** | | Notebooks | **12%** | | Printed textbooks | **Nil** | | Pencils, crayons, pastels and drawing charcoals | **12%** | | Pens (ball/gel/fountain) | **18%** | | Erasers | **5%** | | Rulers and measuring instruments | **18%** | | Artists’/students’ colours, including watercolour paints | **18%** | **Note:** These rates applied until **21 September 2025**. From **22 September 2025**, notebooks, pencils, crayons, pastels and drawing charcoals moved to **Nil GST**, while erasers also became Nil-rated. Writing and drawing chalk sticks and printed textbooks were already Nil-rated. ## **Input Tax Credit (ITC) for Chalk Sellers** Writing, drawing and school chalk covered under the applicable Nil-rated entries does **not attract GST**. Therefore, businesses making only these Nil-rated supplies generally **cannot claim Input Tax Credit on purchases and expenses attributable to those supplies**. This may include ITC related to: - Raw materials used in chalk production - Packaging materials - Machinery and production-related expenses - Transportation and logistics services - Other business inputs and input services Where a business makes both **taxable and Nil-rated supplies**, ITC may be available for eligible taxable supplies, while the portion attributable to Nil-rated supplies must be reversed or restricted as applicable under GST rules. Businesses should maintain proper purchase records, tax invoices and ITC calculations to ensure compliance. For chalk sellers and manufacturers, the applicable GST rate depends on the **product classification**. Writing and drawing chalk sticks are Nil-rated, and specified items such as tailor’s chalk also became Nil-rated from **22 September 2025**. ## About the author **Jagdish Prasad** Jagdish Prasad is a Chartered Accountant with over 5 years of experience. He helps people and businesses with GST, income tax, and HSN codes. Jagdish makes sure his clients follow all tax rules and save money the right way. He also enjoys writing simple articles to help others understand taxes and stay updated with the latest rules. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the GST rate on white chalk in India? White writing or blackboard chalk classified under **HSN 9609 is Nil-rated under GST**. This applies to chalk used for educational or drawing purposes under this classification. ### Is chalk used in schools GST-free? Yes. Writing or blackboard chalk classified under **HSN 9609 is Nil-rated under GST**. The same Nil rate applies whether it is sold to **schools, NGOs, educational institutions or other buyers**. ### Are colored chalk and whiteboard chalk taxed differently? No. **Coloured drawing chalk and white/blackboard chalk sticks classified under HSN 9609 are Nil-rated under GST.** The applicable GST rate depends on the product’s classification, so not every product described as “chalk” necessarily falls under HSN 9609. ### Can chalk manufacturers claim ITC? Yes. Manufacturers can claim Input Tax Credit on raw materials, utilities, and services used in production. ### Is there any GST benefit for educational supply sellers? There is no blanket GST concession for educational supply sellers. The GST rate depends on the **classification of each product**. Some educational supplies, including **writing and drawing chalk under HSN 9609, notebooks, pencils and erasers, are Nil-rated**, while other stationery items may continue to attract GST at the applicable rate. ## Related articles - [New GST on Skincare Products: Rate, Branding & Retail Pricing](https://busy.in/gst-rates/skincare-products/) - [New GST on Industrial Machinery: Slabs, ITC & MSME Effect](https://busy.in/gst-rates/industrial-machinery/) - [New GST on Restaurant Meals: Dine-in, Takeaway & Delivery Compared](https://busy.in/gst-rates/restaurant-meals/) - [New GST on Kitchen Utensils: What’s Taxed and What’s Not?](https://busy.in/gst-rates/kitchen-utensils/) - [New GST on Online Education: Rate, Exemptions & EdTech Impact](https://busy.in/gst-rates/online-education/) - [New GST on Packaging Materials: Tax Implication Across Industries](https://busy.in/gst-rates/packaging-materials/) - [New GST on Digital Marketing Services: Tax Rates & Input Credit Explained](https://busy.in/gst-rates/digital-marketing-services/) - [New GST on Pesticides: Rates, Agri-Exemptions & Sector Impact](https://busy.in/gst-rates/pesticides/) - [New GST on Butter: From Dairy to Dining – What You Pay](https://busy.in/gst-rates/butter/) - [GST on Honey: Rate, Applicability & Industry Outlook](https://busy.in/gst-rates/honey/)