The recent reduction of GST from 12% to Nil on exercise books, graph books, and laboratory notebooks is a welcome step for students, directly lowering the cost of essential educational materials. However, the simultaneous hike in GST from 12% to 18% on uncoated paper and paperboard used for publishing books has sparked confusion and debate. While the consumer won’t bear the GST burden when purchasing the final product, publishers will now face an 18% tax on raw materials, which will inevitably increase the cost of production. This added expense will ultimately be passed on to the students, negating the relief intended for them. The contradictory statements from the finance department raise important questions about whether these measures truly benefit the education sector, or if they merely add to the financial strain on both publishers and students alike.

Dilip Gangaramani, Founder Director & CEO, Target Learning Ventures Pvt. Ltd.