CCPA imposes Rs 2 lakh penalty on coaching institute for misleading claims regarding UPSC results

Central Consumer Protection Authority-CCPA has imposed a penalty of two lakh rupees on a Competitive exam coaching institute for advertising misleading claims regarding the results of the Union Public Service Commission Examination 2023.

 

The CCPA has also ordered the institute to discontinue the misleading advertisement with immediate effect. In a statement, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said that the institute in its advertisement claimed 13 students in Top 100, 28 students in Top 200, and 39 students in Top 300 in Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination 2023, which is misleading.

 

During the investigation,



it was found that the institute offers more than 50 courses and most of the claimed successful students took a subject which comes into play after clearing Preliminary examination.

 

Therefore Under the Consumer Protection Act, it is the right of the consumer to be informed about the specific course that successful candidates have taken from the coaching institute. 

 

Meanwhile, the ministry added that the Institute also used IAS in its advertisements and letterheads, creating a deceptive impression that the person who is owning the institution is or was an IAS officer.