A team of GST officials arrived at the world-famous Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan to monitor tax compliance on the sale of live horses. The move comes as the 5% GST levy on horse sales exceeding Rs 40 lakh is being implemented at the fair for the very first time.
The fair, held annually in the Ajmer district, is known globally for its vibrant animal trade, including camels, horses and buffaloes. However, this year marks a regulatory milestone as GST officers working in coordination with the state veterinary department are ensuring proper documentation and compliance. The veterinary department issues sale certificates and transfer permits for every horse transaction.
According to the Circle Officer of Ajmer, "There is no GST on the sale of other animals, but a 5% GST applies to the sale of live horses valued above Rs 40 lakh. A trader can also voluntarily pay GST for transactions below that amount."
Social media buzz around the Pushkar Fair has been dominated by claims of horses fetching sky-high prices. Reports suggested that some stallions were being sold for crores, including a horse from Chandigarh said to be valued at Rs 15 crore, with an alleged Rs 9 crore offer. Other horses like Badal were priced at Rs 15 lakh, Shehzadi at Rs 51 lakh and Nagina at Rs 1 crore.
However, Alok Khare, Additional Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, dismissed such reports, calling them misleading. "These social media prices are exaggerated. No horse has been sold for even Rs 1 crore. The actual sales have ranged between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 10 lakh," he clarified.
With over 4,500 horses participating in the 2025 edition of the Pushkar Fair, officials confirmed that none of the transactions so far have crossed the Rs 40 lakh threshold to attract mandatory GST.
The President of the All India Marwari Horse Society explained that many horse owners attend the fair mainly to exhibit their mares and stallions, rather than sell them. "Owners often quote high notional prices to showcase the value of their horses, especially those used for breeding. It's more about prestige than actual sales," he said.
The initiative by GST authorities to track high-value horse sales underscores the government's growing focus on broadening the indirect tax base and ensuring compliance even in traditional sectors like animal trade.
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