Rating Rationale
July 01, 2019 | Mumbai
Arka Eduserve Private Limited
Rating migrated to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.87.39 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Migrated from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable ISSUER NOT COOPERATING')*
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
*Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
Detailed Rationale

Due to inadequate information, CRISIL, in line with SEBI guidelines, had migrated the rating of Arka Eduserve Private Limited (AEPL) to 'CRISIL BB+/Stable Issuer Not Cooperating'. However, the management has subsequently started sharing requisite information, necessary for carrying out comprehensive review of the rating. Consequently, CRISIL is migrating the rating on bank facilities of the company from 'CRISIL BB+/Stable Issuer Not Cooperating' to 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable'.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the Arka group's established presence in the kindergarten'Standard 12 (K-12) segment'its large student base, diverse course offerings, strong brand, and favourable outlook for the education sector, particularly in the K-12 segment. The ratings also factor in moderate capital structure, supported by steady cash flows and fund support from promoters. The strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to regulatory risks in the education sector, exposure to intense competition, challenges in ramping up student enrolment ratio, and average capital structure amid large capex undertaken.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has consolidated the business and financial risk profiles of AECT and Arka Eduserve Pvt Ltd (AEPL), collectively referred to as the Arka group. AECT's Objective of Trust allows it to fund or borrow to/from another trust or party in the form of donations, grants, loans and advances, or unsecured or secured loans. Financial fungibility also exists between AECT and AEPL, and both entities are operated by a common management team.

Unsecured loans of around Rs 133.38 crore as on March 31, 2019, from the promoters have been treated as neither debt nor equity.


Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation. 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position in the education sector, strong brand, and a wide range of course offerings:
AECT is managed by the Jain group, and offers education predominantly in the K-12 segment in Karnataka. It also offers graduate courses in engineering, commerce, management, and pre-university courses. Occupancy was healthy at 91% in the academic year 2019, and is expected to remain over 90% in 2020, backed by robust demand. Healthy relations with academicians, professors, and regulatory bodies, and a sound infrastructure help attract student enrolment. Furthermore, healthy demand for education sector have driven healthy occupancy rates for group's institutions and healthy student intake.

* Healthy but moderated profitability: Operating margin has been over 33% in the three fiscals through 2019 on account of established brand and healthy demand. Margin was impacted in fiscal 2018 due to its large capex undertaken and subsequent ramp-up phase. A steady ramp-up in scale and improvement in profitability on a sustainable basis remain a key monitorable.

* Moderate capital structure: Financial risk profile is moderate supported by adequate networth of 222 crore and low gearing of less than 1.3 times as on March 31, 2019. Healthy cash flows vis-a-vis limited repayments over the medium term; and moderate cash and bank balances further support financial risk profile.

Weaknesses
* Average debt protection metrics:
Debt protection metrics had moderated in recent past due to large debt funded capex and related investments amid slower ramp-up in operations. Group had incurred sizable debt funded capex in fiscal 2018 and 2019 which along with slower increase in cash accruals had impacted the metrics. Interest coverage ratio was estimated at about 1.5 times in fiscal 2019 against 1.9 times in fiscal 2017.

* Vulnerability to regulatory risks associated with educational institutions: Courses offered have to comply with the operational and infrastructure norms set by regulatory bodies, such as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and state authorities. Any change in regulations, for instance cap on increasing fees, could constrain cash flow.

* Exposure to intense competition: Intense competition in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana continues to constrain business risk profile. Sustained inflow of students depends on the ability to offer quality education through continuous infrastructure development, and by retaining and recruiting the best faculty.
Liquidity

Arka group's liquidity is currently adequate marked by adequate cash accrual vis-a-vis debt obligations and periodic fund support in the form of unsecured loans from promoters. Group receives fees quarterly and semi-annually. Excess funds received during peak seson are parked in FDs etc and group utilizes these funds for regular operations throughout the year. The group also maintains minimum cash and bank balance of about Rs.10 crore at any point of time. Nonetheless overdraft limit utilization has remained high at over 90% in last twelve months through May 2019 because of higher fund requirements.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the Arka group will maintain its business risk profile over the medium term, supported by its presence in the growing K-12 segment, and wide range of course offerings. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if cash flow increases significantly and sustainably, leading to stronger debt protection metrics. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if occupancy in new institutes/courses fails to pick up as expected, or if the group undertakes unanticipated large capital expenditure that impacts its financial risk profile and liquidity.

About the Company

Established in 2009, AECT operates 44 institutes across India: in Karnataka (27), Madhya Pradesh (3), Maharashtra (6), Jharkhand (3), Chhattisgarh (1), Telangana (2), and Andhra Pradesh (2). It has 21,800 students across India. The trust is promoted by Mr R Chenraj Jain, Mr Naginchand Khincha, Mr Inderchand Singhi, and Mr B Shantitlal.
 
AEPL, incorporated in 2008, is an asset-holding company that leases assets mainly to AECT, and offers consultancy services.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31 Units 2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 17.1 11.77
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 0.94 1.85
PAT margins % 5.5 15.7
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.84 2.43
Interest coverage Times 1.2 1.3

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity Date Issue
Size (Rs. Cr)
Rating Assigned  with Outlook
 NA Proposed Term Loan NA NA NA 59.39 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Term Loan NA NA Jul-2030 28 CRISIL BBB-/Stable

Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation
Arka Educational and Cultural Trust 100% consolidation
Arka Eduserve Private Limited 100% consolidation
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  87.39  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  20-06-19  CRISIL BB+/Stable (Issuer Not Cooperating)*  31-07-18  CRISIL BBB/Negative  23-06-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
*Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Proposed Term Loan 59.39 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Proposed Term Loan 59.39 CRISIL BB+/Stable/Issuer not cooperating
Term Loan 28 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Term Loan 28 CRISIL BB+/Stable/Issuer not cooperating
Total 87.39 -- Total 87.39 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Framework for Assessing Information Adequacy Risk
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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