CCPA slaps Rs 11 lakh fine on coaching institute for misleading UPSC CSE results advertisements

The authority noted that this selective disclosure created a misleading impression that all the highlighted candidates had been enrolled in the GS Foundation Classroom Course, which was not the case. At the same time, the advertisement prominently promoted the institute’s “Foundation Course”, which involves fees running into lakhs.

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After a detailed investigation, the CCPA found that Vision IAS claimed over 119 successful candidates across UPSC CSE 2022 and 2023. However, only three of these candidates had actually enrolled in foundation courses. The remaining 116 candidates had availed services such as preliminary and mains test series, one-time Abhyaas tests, or mock interview programmes.

The authority held that the concealment of this material information misled aspirants and parents into believing that the institute was responsible for candidates’ success across all stages of the examination. Such conduct amounted to a “misleading advertisement” under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The CCPA also observed that the institute used candidates’ names and photographs alongside exaggerated claims without proper authorisation or consent, further misleading prospective students. It underlined that websites, unlike print advertisements, have global reach and long-term visibility, making them a primary source for aspirants to assess coaching institutes.

Previously, Vision IAS had faced regulatory action for similar violations. Despite earlier warnings, the institute continued to publish comparable claims, prompting the authority to treat the matter as a repeat offence and impose a higher penalty.

So far, CCPA authority has issued 57 notices to coaching institutes, imposing penalties of Rs 1.09 crore on 28 entities, and has directed all institutes to ensure truthful and transparent advertising practices.