Madras HC: University cannot be levied Service Tax for disseminating Educational Services

The Madras High Court has ruled that Madurai Kamaraj University is not liable to pay Service Tax for the educational services it provides. The court found that education imparted as part of a curriculum leading to a legally recognised qualification, such as degrees or diplomas, is exempt from Service Tax under the Finance Act, 1994. This decision clarifies that such educational services fall under the exemption provisions.

In Madurai Kamaraj University v. Joint Commissioner GST and Central Excise [W.P.(MD) No.20502 of 2019 and W.M.P.(MD) No.17152 of 2019 dated August 16, 2021], Madurai Kamaraj University ("the Petitioner") has sought for a writ of Certiorari for quashing of the records on the file of  Joint Commissioner GST and Central Excise ("the Respondent") in proceedings Order inOriginal No. MDU- ST-JC-12-2019dated May 30, 2019 in File No.V/ST/15/50/2018-Adjn, on account of being illegitimate and arbitrary.

To substantiate its case, the Petitioner contended that educational institutions are exempted from the ambit of Service Tax as stated under Clause 1 of Section 66-D of the Finance Act, 1994 (effective until May 14, 2016) and Clause (OA) of the "Mega Services Exemption Notification" dated June 20, 2012 issued by the Central Government. As opposed to the contentions made by the Petitioner, the Respondent counsel argued that the exemption provided under Section 66 - D (1) of the Finance Act, 1994 and the "Mega Services Exemption Notification" are concerned only with educational institutions that provide pre-school education and education up to higher secondary or equivalent. Furthermore, it was contended by the Respondent that the Petitioner institution does not impart education directly to the students and is only an affiliating body.

After perusal of all the facts and evidence, the Honorable Madras High Court adjudged that the Petitioner educational institution cannot be assessed for demanding any service tax for the services of education provided by them. The Court opined the ratio that Sub-Clause 2 of Clause 'l' of Section 66-D was relevant for the issue at hand, the reason being that, whatever be the education as a part of curriculum for obtaining a qualification recognized by law for the time being in force means whatever be the Degree, Diploma, PG diploma, Professional Degree or Post Graduate Degree are concerned, in order to obtain such qualification, if education being imparted as a part of curriculum, that education shall be part of service for the purpose Clause 'l' for getting exemption.