DU to incorporate GST in undergraduate programs

The prestigious Delhi University is all set to incorporate Goods and Services Tax (GST) into the curriculum of all its undergraduate commerce programs.

According to a report, the Academic Council approved the insertion of GST in commerce courses, such as BCom (Hons), BCom (Programme) and BA (Programme).

The body has recommended the same to the University's Executive Council. The move is aimed at updating students about ongoing changes in India's economic sector. Top colleges are in agreement of the move.

The Tax subject will be taught to students of BCom (Hons) in the third and fifth semesters, while BCom (Prog) students will study it in the fifth and sixth semesters.

If approved by the Executive Council, it will also be taught to BA (Prog) students in the third and fourth semesters.

The Academic Council accepted the recommendations accumulated by the Faculty of Commerce and Business.

Moreover, students will be taught the constitutional framework of indirect taxes prevalent before GST, which includes taxation powers of Union and State governments, the concept of value added tax, rationale and structure of GST, GST Council, GST Network, state compensation mechanism and registration.

According to the new proposal, "GST will replace the content on other indirect taxes," said Sunaina Kanojia an Academic Council member.

The curriculum is also expected to include levy and collection of GST, which will cover taxable events like supply of goods and services, places of supply like within state, inter-state, import and export, time of supply, valuation rules, taxability of reimbursement of expenses and exemption from GST.

Dr Bhibhu Pratap Sahu, an assistant professor at SGTB Khalsa College said: "Tax has now been simplified for our country with GST. Revenue from GST will be generated in a manner that will benefit India.

Economists expect the tax revenue to reach Rs 2 trillion from Rs 1 billion and want students to be apprised with the times they will have to work in.

GST is an indirect tax, which replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments.