Centre Provides GST Relief to Students ahead of Entrance Exams

Good news for students who take the National Testing Agency‘s entrance exams for central and other universities, engineering schools, and medical colleges.

The National Testing Agency, which administers entrance exams for central and other universities, as well as engineering and medical institutes, was exempt from the scope of the levy, as suggested by the GST Council on Saturday.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the exams administered by the NTA will be exempt from the levy after the 49th GST Council meeting on Saturday. Students who take exams administered by the NTA and state testing agencies formerly had to pay an additional 18% GST on their exam expenses.

The twin moves will offer relief to students as they had to pay 18% GST on the fees for writing the tests conducted by NTA and state testing agencies. According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the tax on pencil sharpeners will be reduced from 18% to 12%.