GST AND EDUCATION: THEN AND NOW
Dr. Raju Prajapati
When India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in 2017, it completely changed the nation's tax structure by combining several indirect taxes into one. Under GST, the education sector a vital component of the country's development has faced both advantages and difficulties. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the most recent changes on September 3, 2025, and they went into effect on September 22, 2025. They included a simplified two-slab GST system (5% and 18%), with a 40% rate for luxury and sinful items. In line with the government's goal of economic accessibility, these modifications seek to lower household costs and streamline compliance. In order to determine if these reforms are in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's objective of universal school education by 2030, this article examines how these reforms impact schools, colleges, students, teachers, coaching centers, and instructional resources. It also examines advocacy initiatives, such as the calls made by Education for All in India.com to completely eliminate GST on education.
When India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in 2017, it completely changed the nation's tax structure by combining several indirect taxes into one. Under GST, the education sector a vi...