2025 (5) TMI 643 - AT - Service Tax

Exemption from service tax - educational courses offered by the appellant qualifying as non-commercial educational services - Management Consultancy Service - Event Management Service - HELD THAT - It is a fact on record that the Show Cause is an outcome of search and seizure investigation by the DGCEI in the premises of EIILM having no registration with Service Tax Department. In the impugned order the ld. adjudicating authority observes that the taxability on activities of EIILM as alleged were admitted and agreed by EIILM on the day of search and submitted postdated cheque for 1 Crore but later denied allegation along with withdrawal of the cheques issued. The fact is recorded in statements of the authorised personnels of EIILM as well as incorporated in the show cause notice. Malvika Foundation is a public charitable Trust and during the impugned period ran EIILM as an educational institution offering MBA courses from the Punjab Technical University (PTU) and the West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT). The PTU is recognized by UGC and degrees/diploma/certificates as issued by PTU are recognized in law. The PTU has appointed EIILM as the learning centre. Similarly WBUT is also recognized by UGC and approved EIILM. The matter needs to be remanded back to the adjudicating authority for the purpose of examining the documentary evidence available with the appellant and thereafter to arrive at a conclusion as to whether the said courses offered by the appellant are recognised by the UGC and degrees issued to that effect are recognised by approved Universities or not. Conclusion - i) The adjudicating authority shall examine all the evidences submitted by the appellant so as to ascertain as to whether the courses offered are recognised by the UGC or not and whether the degrees/certificates issued are recognised by approved Universities or not. ii) The Service Tax liabilities of the appellant (M/s. EIILM Foundation) and M/s. Malvika Foundation are to be categorically ascertained and the demand pertaining to each if any is to be determined separately. Appeal disposed off by way of remand.

The core legal questions considered in this appeal include:

1. Whether the educational courses offered by the appellant institute are exempt from service tax liability by virtue of being recognized and approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and affiliated universities, thereby qualifying as non-commercial educational services.

2. Whether the appellant institute, functioning under a non-profitable charitable trust, is liable to pay service tax under the category of "Commercial Training or Coaching Centre Service" for the period October 2007 to March 2013.

3. Whether the appellant's activities as a knowledge hub, training and placement centre for EIILM University, Sikkim, and as a learning centre for distance education programmes of Punjab Technical University (PTU) attract service tax liability.

4. The determination of the extent of liability between the appellant (EIILM Foundation) and the predecessor entity (M/s. Malvika Foundation) for the service tax demand raised for the period October 2007 to March 2013.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis

Issue 1: Recognition and Approval of Courses by UGC and Affiliated Universities

The legal framework revolves around the exemption from service tax for educational services recognized by statutory educational bodies such as the UGC. The appellant contended that the courses offered were approved by UGC and affiliated universities, and hence, no service tax was payable. The relevant precedent and legal provisions exempt educational services recognized by law from service tax.

The Court noted that the appellant admitted having documentary evidence to substantiate the claim of UGC approval but failed to produce such evidence before the adjudicating authority. The impugned order confirmed the service tax demand on the basis that the courses were not approved by UGC or AICTE during the relevant period.

The Court observed that the issue of recognition and approval of courses is central to determining the taxability. Since the appellant had not previously furnished the documentary evidence, the matter was remanded to the adjudicating authority to examine the evidence afresh and conclude whether the courses and the degrees/certificates issued were recognized by UGC or approved universities.

The Court emphasized the need for a thorough examination of documentary proof to ascertain the legal status of the courses and the consequent tax liability or exemption.

Issue 2: Liability for Service Tax under "Commercial Training or Coaching Centre Service"

The Show Cause Notice alleged that the appellant's activities fell under taxable categories such as "Commercial Training or Coaching Centre Service," "Management Consultancy Service," and "Event Management Service," thereby attracting service tax for the period October 2007 to March 2013. The demand was based on the premise that the courses were not recognized by UGC or AICTE and that the appellant was engaged in commercial activities.

The Court noted that the appellant was a non-profitable charitable trust and contended that it was not engaged in commercial business. The adjudicating authority found that the appellant had initially admitted to the taxability during a search and seizure operation but later denied the allegations.

Given the unresolved question of recognition of the courses, the Court held that the issue of service tax liability under the category of commercial training required reconsideration in light of the documentary evidence regarding course recognition. The Court directed the adjudicating authority to reassess the taxability after examining the evidence.

Issue 3: Activities as Knowledge Hub and Distance Learning Centre

The appellant acted as a knowledge hub, training and placement centre for EIILM University, Sikkim, and as a learning centre for distance education programmes of Punjab Technical University (PTU). The Show Cause Notice alleged that such activities were unauthorized off-campus operations outside the territorial jurisdiction of the respective universities, thereby attracting service tax.

The Court observed that EIILM University, Sikkim, being a private university established by the state legislature, could not establish off-campus centres outside Sikkim as per UGC public notice. Similarly, PTU, a state university, did not have jurisdiction beyond Punjab. However, the Court did not make a definitive finding on this issue but implicitly linked it to the broader question of recognition and approval of courses and activities.

The Court's remand to the adjudicating authority implicitly includes examining the nature of these activities and their tax implications in light of the recognition status.

Issue 4: Apportionment of Service Tax Liability between Appellant and Malvika Foundation

The appellant submitted that the institute was under the control of M/s. Malvika Foundation until March 2012 and thereafter under EIILM Foundation from April 2012. It contended that the service tax demand for October 2007 to March 2012 should be borne by Malvika Foundation, and only the demand from April 2012 to March 2013 pertains to the appellant.

The impugned order confirmed a collective demand of approximately Rs. 11.74 crores without segregating the liability between the two entities. The Court noted the absence of any clear finding or break-up of the demand in the adjudicating order.

Accordingly, the Court directed the adjudicating authority to separately ascertain and record the service tax liabilities of the appellant and Malvika Foundation. This includes determining the period-wise responsibility and the corresponding demand, ensuring clarity and fairness in recovery.

Significant Holdings

The Court remanded the matter to the adjudicating authority with clear directions:

"The adjudicating authority shall examine all the evidences submitted by the appellant so as to ascertain as to whether the courses offered are recognised by the UGC or not and whether the degrees/certificates issued are recognised by approved Universities or not."

"The Service Tax liabilities of the appellant (M/s. EIILM Foundation) and M/s. Malvika Foundation are to be categorically ascertained and the demand pertaining to each, if any, is to be determined separately."

The Court emphasized the principle that service tax liability in educational services hinges critically on statutory recognition and approval of courses by competent authorities, and that tax demands must be precisely attributed to the responsible entities for the relevant periods.

The final determination on each issue was deferred pending a fresh adjudication incorporating the appellant's documentary evidence and a clear demarcation of liability between the appellant and Malvika Foundation.

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