In decisions of the GST Council, the number of items kept in the 28 percent GST slab was reduced from 227 items to how many items?

Introduction / Context:
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is India's comprehensive indirect tax system, which groups goods and services into different tax slabs. Early after GST implementation, there was criticism that too many common use items were placed in the highest 28 percent tax slab. In response, the GST Council gradually rationalised these rates. This question asks about a significant decision where the number of items in the 28 percent slab was cut from 227 items to a much lower figure. Knowing these numbers helps candidates understand how GST policy has evolved.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Originally, 227 items were placed in the 28 percent GST slab.
• The GST Council later reduced the number of items in this slab.
• Options include 125, 87, 100, 50, and 75 items as possible new totals.
• We assume this refers to the major rationalisation where the highest slab was significantly pruned.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that the GST Council aimed to reduce the burden of the highest tax slab by shifting many items to lower slabs. In a widely reported decision, the Council brought down the number of items in the 28 percent slab from 227 to only 50. Therefore, the approach is to recall the headline figure that the Council decided to keep 50 items in the 28 percent bracket while moving the rest into 18 percent or lower slabs.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the original count of items in the 28 percent slab was 227.Step 2: Recall the major GST Council meeting where a large number of items were shifted from 28 percent to lower slabs.Step 3: Remember that after this decision only 50 items remained in the 28 percent bracket.Step 4: Compare this remembered figure with the options: 125, 87, 100, 50, and 75.Step 5: Select 50 items as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
One can verify this by referring to economic news summaries of GST Council meetings. A widely quoted outcome is that the number of items in the top 28 percent slab was reduced from 227 to 50. Many exam oriented current affairs compilations highlight this as a key reform step in making GST less burdensome for consumers. This independent confirmation supports the figure of 50 items.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Figures such as 125, 87, 100, or 75 items do not match the major policy milestone discussed in government and media reports. Although there were several rounds of rate rationalisation, the specific and well known reduction from 227 items to 50 items is what exam questions typically refer to. Therefore, the other numerical options are included only to test whether the candidate remembers the correct figure.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to guess a mid range number such as 87 or 100, thinking that the Council would reduce items but not very drastically. Another pitfall is to mix up this figure with other statistics related to the total number of GST slabs or items moved to different slabs. To avoid such confusion, learners should remember the simple and striking fact that only 50 items remained in the 28 percent slab after the major rationalisation.

Final Answer:
50 items remained in the 28 percent GST slab after the GST Council reduced the original list of 227 items.