<h1>Equities climb after GST overhaul cuts slabs to 5% and 18%, exempts personal health and life insurance from Sept 22</h1> Benchmark equity indices rose in early trade after a government tax policymaking body approved a major Goods and Services Tax (GST) restructuring, reducing slabs to 5% and 18% and eliminating tax on personal health and life insurance, effective Sept. 22. The move prompted notable intraday gains on leading indices and select sectoral stocks, while some large caps lagged. Market data showed net foreign institutional selling alongside domestic institutional buying. The announcement coincided with positive regional and U.S. market trends and a slight dip in Brent crude, affecting investor sentiment and trading volumes.