Question 1. Whether Cenvat Credit can be claimed?
As per Rule 2(e) of Cenvat Credit Rules, “exempted service”means a (1) taxable service which is exempt from the whole of the service tax leviable thereon; or (2) service, on which no service tax is leviable under section 66B of the Finance Act; or (3) taxable service whose part of value is exempted on the condition that no credit of inputs and input services, used for providing such taxable service, shall be taken; but shall not include a service which is exported in terms of rule 6A of the Service Tax Rules, 1994.]
Therefore, if your activity is taxable under Service tax and it satisfies the condition prescribed under Rule 6A of service tax rules, you can avail credits pertaining to export of service.
Question 2: How to obtain refund of Cenvat Credit?
Please refer notification no 27/2012 CE (NT), which gives procedures and condition for claiming refund under Rule 5 of Cenvat Credit rules.
It also specifies Form A and Form A-1 i.e refund application and CA certificate formats.
(link https://www.cbec.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/excise/cx-act/notifications/notfns-2012/cx-nt2012/cent27-2012 )
Question 3: Whether ST registration shall be taken?
Yes. Company is required to take ST registration for claiming refund, it has to show Cenvat Credit claimed in ST-3 returns.
Question 4: Pre-registration credit can be taken?
As there is no specific restriction in Cenvat Credit rules, company can take pre-registration period credit. However, credit can be taken for last 1 year. This 1 year limitation is not applicable to Capital goods.
Note: You can not go for refund of credit on capital goods.
Please revert for any clarifications.