Framing GST Reforms in Indian Digital Media: A Content Analysis of News Coverage and Its Role in Shaping Public Understanding Towards Viksit Bharat @2047

Abstract

The most visible and largest economic reform with far-reaching consequences in the post-liberalization era has been the Goods and Services Tax. Besides its revenue and fiscal management objectives, GST has come to be seen as a vehicle for Viksit Bharat @2047, a vision being developed by policymakers for Transforming India into a developed, inclusive and competitive economy by the centenary of independence. In doing so, digital news media play a key role in shaping public comprehension of GST reforms. This study, rooted in media framing theory, investigates the framing of GST reforms on Indian digital news platforms. It also analyzes the implications of these frames for public understanding, democratic debate and inclusive development. Using qualitative content analysis, GST-related coverage was analyzed between July and November 2025, comprising coverage on prominent news portals like The Print, The Wire, Times of India, Business Standard and so on. The research shows that frames of economic growth, governance and efficiency dominate both the mainstream digital media articles and the independent platforms. While the former draw on the power of these articles for political signaling and equity-based criticisms. Framing India 2047 in a Development Centric Way is not a problem; however, marginal bodies being left out raises journalistic concerns. The research finds that balanced and socially responsible media framing can help engage public opinion more actively in a long-term policy agenda for India.