Navigating GST Through Practical Lessons for Startups and Small Businesses

Bengaluru, 22 April 2026: As India’s business landscape grows increasingly complex, a strong understanding of taxation is becoming essential for aspiring entrepreneurs. Addressing this need, the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), Faculty of Engineering and Technology at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), in collaboration with NAIN 2.0, organised an industry expert session exploring the impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on MSMEs and startups.

The session featured Mr. Sandeep Kumar, a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in startup advisory, GST compliance, and corporate law. Through a structured and engaging discussion, he traced the evolution of GST and its role in streamlining India’s indirect taxation system. At the same time, he highlighted the compliance challenges that continue to affect emerging businesses, offering a balanced perspective grounded in industry realities.

Moving beyond theory, the session provided practical insights into GST registration, filing procedures, and compliance requirements. Students gained a clearer understanding of how GST influences cost structures and operational efficiency, particularly for startups navigating competitive markets. Emphasising a strategic approach, Mr. Kumar noted that GST, when effectively managed, can support improved financial planning and scalability.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Sachin Pavitran A.P., followed by a contextual introduction by Dr. Ahmadi Begum, Programme Head, who underscored the importance of tax literacy in today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Faculty members Dr. Nanda R.T., Mr. Saresh Kumar S., and Mrs. Monika Anand were also part of the organising team and contributed to the smooth execution of the session. The programme included an interactive question-and-answer segment, where students actively engaged with the speaker on real-world regulatory challenges.

A key takeaway from the session was the recognition of GST as a transformative reform that promotes transparency and supports the formalisation of businesses. By connecting academic concepts with industry practice, the session equipped students with practical knowledge and reinforced the importance of regulatory awareness in building resilient, future-ready enterprises.