Raid on SPM IAS Academy over GST Evasion charge

Guwahati: In a move that underscores growing vigilance against financial irregularities in the education sector, the Assam GST Department has launched a major operation targeting Guwahati’s well-known SPM IAS Academy for suspected tax evasion. Sources reveal that on June 25, a GST enforcement team carried out a surprise inspection at the academy’s office premises. The operation, which extended for several hours, involved a detailed examination of financial records in the presence of the academy's chartered accountant. Preliminary findings from the raid suggest serious discrepancies in tax declarations, pointing to potential evasion amounting to crores of rupees. Officials confirmed the seizure of crucial documents and said that the academy had made an initial payment of ₹30 lakh as an advance against its dues. However, under the applicable 18% GST rate for such institutions, the department believes this is only a fraction of the actual liability. A comprehensive audit is currently underway to assess the full extent of unpaid taxes. Beyond the monetary implications, the development has sparked ethical debates. Critics argue that institutions tasked with grooming candidates for elite services like APSC and UPSC must themselves model civic discipline, including transparent financial conduct. As the probe into SPM IAS Academy deepens, civil society voices are growing sharper. “Coaching centres cannot be above the law,” said one local activist. “It’s time tax evaders, no matter how reputed, are held accountable.”