The expression “charitable purpose” has been defined under Section 2(15) of the Income Tax Act 1961 to include:
(a) relief of the poor,
(b) education,
(c) yoga,
(d) medical relief,
(e) preservation of environment (including water sheds, forests and wild life)
(f) preservation of monuments or places or objects of artistic or historic interest and
(g) advancement of any other object of general public utility
Further, the advancement of any other object of general public utility shall not be considered as charitable purpose, if it involves the carrying on of any activity in the nature of trade, commerce or business, or any activity of rendering any service in relation to any trade, commerce or business, for a cess or fee or any other consideration, irrespective of the nature of use or application, or retention, of the income from such activity, unless—
i) such activity is undertaken in the course of actual carrying out of such advancement of any other object of general public utility; and
ii) the aggregate receipts from such activity or activities during the previous year, do not exceed twenty per cent of the total receipts, of the trust or institution undertaking such activity or activities, of that previous year;
