The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt Ltd), as it published misleading advertisements in connection with the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022, PTI reports. The advertisement stated “216+ selections in UPSC CSE 2022″, accompanied by names and photographs of students who had been successful in the UPSC CSE. However, the CCPA found the advertising misleading ‘because it omitted important information related to the types of courses, study durations and course of study courses of these students’, said the Consumer Affairs Ministry.
The inquiry also found that of the 216 selections claimed by Drishti IAS, 162 (75 per cent) of the candidates participated only in its free Interview Guidance Programme after clearing the Preliminary and Mains, while 54 students had a part in IGP and other courses.
This omission led an aspirant and parent to claim that Drishti IAS was instrumental in the success of candidates in all three phases of the UPSC exam, which would be classified as misleading advertisements under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The CCPA goes on to note that this is the second fine against Drishti IAS for similar claims. Specifically, in September 2024, the CCPA imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh upon Drishti IAS for misleading advertising of “150+ selections in UPSC CSE 2021.” The institute provided a list of 161 students, which was above the claim, however, most of these students were only enrolled in the IGP or other basic courses.
Therefore, even after previous penalties and warnings, Drishti IAS continued this behaviour for the 2022 exam, showing continued non-compliance and disregard for consumer protection possible under Section 2(9), Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This nondisclosure deprived potential students and parents of their right to make an informed decision.
These advertisements create unrealistic expectations and may mislead consumer behaviour, especially when exaggerated claims are made without sufficiently reasonable disclosure of facts, the ministry said.
So far, the CCPA has issued 54 notices to various coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, inflicting penalties of over Rs 90.6 lakh on 26 coaching institutes, and culminating in cease and desist orders to stop making misleading claims.
The CCPA also noted that all coaching institutes need to provide legitimate disclosure in their advertisements to allow students to make informed decisions about their academic decisions.
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