CCPA Penalizes Coaching Center for Deceptive Advertisements on UPSC Results
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New Delhi, Dec 22 (NationPress) The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has enforced a fine of Rs 2 lakh on Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study for their misleading advertisements related to the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023. The authority has mandated the coaching institute to stop these misleading advertisements without delay.
According to an official statement released on Sunday, "This decision aims to safeguard and promote the rights of consumers collectively and to ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made regarding any goods or services that violate the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act."
The CCPA, under the leadership of Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, has issued an order against Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study for their misleading claims about the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023.
It has been noted that coaching institutes and online edtech platforms often utilize images and names of successful candidates to attract potential aspirants, without revealing the specific courses chosen by these candidates, the fees incurred, and the duration of those courses, as highlighted in the statement.
In their advertisements, Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study made assertions such as: 13 students in the Top 100, 28 students in the Top 200, and 39 students in the Top 300 for the UPSC CSE 2023.
Moreover, the advertisements prominently featured photographs and names of successful candidates without providing any details about the specific courses they enrolled in.
While Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study advertised various courses on their official website, the essential information regarding the courses opted by the successful candidates in the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023 was conspicuously absent.
The institute claims to offer over 50 courses. However, the DG Investigation report revealed that most of the successful candidates had completed the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) crash course and test series, which is taken after clearing the preliminary examination.
By intentionally omitting information about the courses taken by successful candidates, the institute created an impression that all its courses had an equal success rate, which was misleading.
Consumers have the right to be informed about the specific courses that successful candidates have pursued at the coaching institute to gain admission to the final selection of CSE. This information would assist potential consumers in making well-informed decisions about which course to choose for their success in the CSE.
According to Section 2(28)(iv) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, misleading advertisements involve "deliberate concealment of crucial information." Knowing the specific courses that successful candidates have taken is vital for consumers to make informed choices when selecting a course and coaching institute.
The institute also employed terms like "Shubhra Ranjan IAS" and "Students of Shubhra Ranjan IAS" in their advertisements and letterheads, leading to a false impression that Mrs. Shubhra Ranjan is or was an IAS officer. This constitutes a misrepresentation and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, misleading the public and potential students into believing that the services or guidance provided are directly linked to the credibility of an IAS officer, as stated in the announcement.
The institute claimed that this was a clerical mistake, which is not a valid argument, as the term "Shubhra Ranjan IAS" or @shubhraranjanias has been frequently used in their letterheads and advertisements. The institute utilized deceptive practices to create an impression of exceptional quality and success. Advertisements should represent facts truthfully and honestly, ensuring that disclosures are clear, prominent, and difficult to overlook for viewers.
