Image for representational purpose only (Photo courtesy: PTI)
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act of 2009 has made education not only compulsory but has also made the Govt. responsible to provide education at economical rates. The Council has kept education sector free from its ambit.
Services related to education, provided by any educational institution to its students, faculty and staff like transportation, catering, mid day meals, admissions, examinations, housekeeping etc. have been exempted under GST. The educational institutions that have been granted the exemption from GST are pre-schools and higher secondary educational institutes both private and Govt.
The exemption has also been granted to the services provided by the Indian Institutes of Management to their students, by way of the –
1. 2 year full-time residential PG programs in Management for Post Graduate Diploma in Management, admission in which is granted via CAT
2. Fellowship programs in Management
3. 5 Year Integrated Programs in management studies (but excludes the Executive Development Program).
The education services provided by the below are also exempted from GST:
1. National Skill Development Corporation set up by the Government of India
2. Sector Skill Councils approved by the National Skill Development Corporation
3. Assessment agencies approved by the Sector Skill Council or the National Skill Development Corporation
4. Training partners approved by the National Skill Development Corporation or the Sector Skill Council are also included w.r.t the following programs:
(b) a vocational skill development course under the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme
(c) any other Scheme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation”.However, as the educational services led by training and coaching foundations don’t help in getting legally perceived qualifications therefore these are not exempted from GST. Let us take a look at them:
1. Higher Education Institutions and Private Institutions
The exemption under GST has been granted just for pre-schools till higher secondary education and since universities and other advanced educational institutions have not been mentioned in the exception list, and thus GST of 18% is expected to be levied on this.
Higher education in the private segment will end up being more costly and in turn, rivalry for admissions in government schools/colleges/foundations will increment. There will be a 3 to 5% of the obligation jump on the cost of administrations that will over the long haul impact the common man. The burden will be the most on middle class families who obtain education loans or put their life-long savings into educating their wards at reputed institutions.
2. Coaching Institutes
Coaching institutes form an integral part of education today as clearing competitive exams and entrance exams seems just impossible without taking professional coaching on how to clear and attempt them. GST has raised the rate of taxes to 18% from 14% for these coaching institutes. This will be a burden for all parents whose child is about to start coaching for IITs and other competitive examinations.
3. Cost of Organizing Events
Any educational/training events organized in India by foreign entities which are attended by professionals, individuals and overseas participants as well would be taxed under GST.