Consider the following items:

1. Cereals grains hulled

2. Chicken eggs cooked

3. Fish processed and canned

4. Newspapers containing advertising material

Which of the above items is/are exempted under GST (Goods and Services Tax)?

The correct option is 1, 2 and 4 only.

Under India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, certain essential items, unprocessed agricultural goods, cooked basic food items like eggs, and educational/informational items like newspapers are granted exemption from GST to keep basic necessities affordable for the general public.

Let us analyze each item individually to understand their GST exemption status:

1. Cereals grains hulled:
Unbranded, non-packaged cereal grains, including hulled cereal grains, fall under essential food items and are completely exempt from GST (0% rate).

2. Chicken eggs cooked:
Fresh as well as basic cooked chicken eggs (which have not been processed into preserved or canned items by an industrial establishment) are exempted from GST.

3. Fish processed and canned:
While fresh or chilled fish is exempt from GST, processed and canned fish is subjected to GST (typically attracting a 5% or 12% GST rate depending on packaging and brand status). Therefore, processed and canned fish is not exempted.

4. Newspapers containing advertising material:
Newspapers, journals, and periodicals (even if they contain advertising material) are completely exempt from GST to promote information sharing and literacy.

Therefore, items 1, 2, and 4 are exempted under GST, making 1, 2 and 4 only the correct choice.