CCPA Fines UPSC Coaching Centre For Misleading Advertisements And Unfair Trade Practice

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a fine of Rs. 2 lakhs on UPSC coaching centre Shubhra Ranjan IAS for publishing misleading advertisements and indulging in unfair trade practice. The institute made an advertisement of various types of courses provided by them on different social media platforms by displaying the names of the candidates who successfully cleared the exam. However, the advertisements did not disclose the name and description of the course adopted by the said successful candidates. On an inquiry conducted by the CCPA, it was found that most of the candidates opted for Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Crash course & test series from the institute which was deliberately concealed in the advertisements. The Authority observed that the said concealment creates a deception about the quality of courses which the institute offers. Advertising of different courses such as 'Integrated GS and PSIR classroom course' , 'NCERT foundation course Classroom/Online' , etc when in reality the successful candidates only opted for crash courses would lead to prospective consumers making an uninformed decision. The Authority further held the institute liable for using the term 'SHUBHRA RANJAN IAS' creating an impression that the services of the institute are directly provided under the guidance of an IAS officer when in fact the individual- Shubhra Ranjan is not a civil servant. This was held to be an act of misrepresentation. It was held that non-disclosure of specific information relating to courses which were adopted by successful students impaired the ability of the prospective students to decide suitable courses for them. This practice of the institute to create an impression that all successful candidates were regular batch students violates the rights of the consumers. Hence, considering the huge consumer base of the institute and in the interest of young aspirants, the authority passed orders to discontinue the misleading advertisement and imposed a fine of Rs. 2 lakhs for the same. Click Here To Read/Download The Order

CCPA Fines UPSC Coaching Centre For Misleading Advertisements And Unfair Trade Practice

Aakanksha Bajoria

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