CCPA Fines Vision IAS for Misleading UPSC Result Advertisements

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has imposed a penalty of ₹11 lakh on Vision IAS Institute for publishing misleading advertisements related to the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examinations 2022 and 2023. The action was taken under provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, following an investigation into claims made on the institute’s official website.

Findings of the Consumer Protection Authority

According to the Central Consumer Protection Authority, Vision IAS claimed credit for the success of more than 119 candidates in the UPSC Civil Services Examinations of 2022 and 2023. However, the investigation revealed that only three of these candidates were enrolled in the institute’s full-fledged foundation courses. The remaining 116 candidates had availed limited services such as preliminary and mains test series or mock interview programmes.

Misrepresentation and Impact on Aspirants

The Authority noted that Vision IAS deliberately concealed material information regarding the nature of enrolment of successful candidates. This misrepresentation created the impression that the institute had guided candidates through all stages of the examination. The practice was found to be misleading for aspirants and parents, particularly as the institute aggressively promoted its high-fee foundation courses based on these inflated claims.

Repeated Violations and Regulatory Action

The CCPA observed that Vision IAS had earlier faced regulatory action for similar misleading advertisements. Despite previous warnings and interventions, the institute continued to publish comparable claims, indicating a lack of due diligence and disregard for regulatory compliance. The Authority held that such conduct amounted to unfair trade practice under consumer law.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 empowers CCPA to act against misleading advertisements.
• Coaching institutes must disclose accurate course-wise enrolment details.
• Inflated success claims qualify as unfair trade practices.
• Penalties can include fines and directions to discontinue advertisements.

Broader Crackdown on Coaching Advertisements

The Authority stated that it has issued 57 notices to coaching institutes across the country for misleading advertisements and unfair practices. So far, penalties exceeding ₹1 crore have been imposed on 28 institutes, along with directions to stop such claims. The CCPA reiterated that transparent and truthful advertising is mandatory to enable students to make informed academic decisions.