The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), the country’s top consumer watchdog, has sent notices to 20 IAS coaching institutes across the country for issuing ‘misleading’ advertisements, according to reports citing a top official aware of the matter.
Reportedly, Unacademy, Byju’s IAS, Drishti IAS, and Vajirao & Reddy Institute are among 20 coaching institutes under scanner for misleading and deceptive claims. The movement comes just months after the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) slapped Rs 1 lakh fine each on IQRA IAS Institute and Rau’s IAS Study Circle for misleading advertisement.
As per available sources, the government is likely to make it mandatory for IAS coaching centres to disclose the details of tall claims they make to attract aspirants. It also noted, the government may notify the rules this week for coaching centres preparing students for the toughest competitive exams.
As per the CCPA Chief Commissioner, a penalty has been imposed against four of the 20 coaching institutes. Of the four institutes two have deposited penalties, while the other two have approached the court.
“If there is proper disclosure by the coaching institutes, there would be less incidents of deceiving consumers,” Khare said, adding the action against different coaching institutes is at different stages,” said CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare, in a media report.
Earlier reports stated that the authority had issued an order against IQRA IAS Institute for misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice by advertising misleading testimonials of top-rank holders of the years 2015 and 2017 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
Similarly, Rau’s IAS Study Circle was fined in June. The CCPA said that Rau’s IAS Study Circle had made false claims in its advertisements, such as claiming that its students had secured top ranks in the civil services examinations.
