#CCPAFinesDrishtiIAS #MisleadingAds #UPSCScam #ConsumerProtectionAct #UPSCResultsFraud #CoachingTransparency #DrishtiIAS #CSE2022
New Delhi – In a stringent move to uphold consumer rights and enforce transparency within the highly competitive coaching industry, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has levied a significant penalty of ₹5 lakh against Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt. Ltd.). The fine was imposed for the publication of grossly misleading advertisements related to the results of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022.
The CCPA’s decisive action comes in response to Drishti IAS’s prominent claims in its advertisements asserting “216+ selections in UPSC CSE 2022,” complete with the names and photographs of successful candidates. The regulatory authority, however, found that this widely disseminated claim was fundamentally deceptive, as it deliberately concealed vital information concerning the nature and duration of the courses taken by the candidates featured.
The Deceptive Veil of the ‘Interview Guidance Programme’
The core of the CCPA’s investigation centered on a stark revelation regarding the actual enrollment status of the claimed successful candidates. The investigation established that a staggering majority of the students showcased in the advertisements had only availed themselves of the institute’s free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP). Specifically, 162 out of the 216 candidates (a substantial 75%) had already cleared the arduous Preliminary and Mains stages of the UPSC CSE independently, utilizing the institute’s services solely for interview preparation—the final, least resource-intensive stage of the selection process.
Only a small fraction—54 students—were found to be enrolled in the IGP in conjunction with other, presumably paid, comprehensive courses. The CCPA has unequivocally stated that this calculated omission of the type and duration of the course enrollment constitutes a misleading advertisement under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The Authority highlighted that this deliberate concealment was designed to mislead aspirants and their parents into believing that a full, comprehensive engagement with Drishti IAS was the primary catalyst for success across all three stages of the grueling UPSC examination. Such a deceptive practice unfairly influences the critical decision-making process of prospective students, who often invest substantial financial resources and time based on the advertised success rates.
Repeat Violation Demonstrates Disregard for Consumer Norms
Alarmingly, the CCPA noted that the current penalty is the second instance of punitive action against Drishti IAS for the exact same offense. Just over a year prior, in September 2024, the Authority had passed a final order against the coaching center for misleading claims regarding the UPSC CSE 2021 results.
In that earlier case, where Drishti IAS claimed “150+ selections,” an investigation revealed a similar pattern: out of 161 candidates, 148 were enrolled only in the IGP, while others were in short-term or specific mentorship programs. The CCPA had then imposed a penalty of ₹3 lakh and issued a clear directive to cease the misleading advertisements.
The company’s subsequent enhancement of its success claim to “216+ selections” for the 2022 examination, despite the prior warning and fine, was cited by the CCPA as evidence of “repeated non-compliance and disregard of consumer protection norms.” This repeated offense underscores the gravity of the institutional practice and its detrimental impact on the right of prospective students and parents to make an informed choice, as enshrined under Section 2(9) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The CCPA stressed that large, unsubstantiated claims create false expectations and are a form of unfair trade practice.
Industry-Wide Crackdown for Transparency
The action against Drishti IAS is part of a broader, sustained regulatory crackdown by the CCPA on the coaching sector, which caters to millions of highly ambitious students across India. The Authority has been actively pursuing institutes making exaggerated and unverified claims for various competitive examinations, including the UPSC, IIT-JEE, and NEET.
So far, the CCPA has issued 54 notices to various coaching institutes for engaging in misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices. The cumulative penalties imposed on 26 coaching institutes have now surpassed ₹90.6 lakh, accompanied by firm directions to withdraw or modify their deceptive claims.
In its official statement, the CCPA reinforced the critical need for all coaching institutes to adhere strictly to the principle of truthful disclosure in their advertisements. The objective is to foster an environment of fairness where students can make rational and informed decisions about their academic and professional future, free from the influence of misleading claims and false promises.
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