The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹3 lakh fine on Sriram’s IAS for advertising misleading claims about their success in the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022. The institute claimed over 200 selections, but the CCPA found only 171 were actual selections. The CCPA has ordered the immediate discontinuation of the misleading advertisement to protect consumers’ rights.
The CCPA, led by Chief Commissioner Smt. Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Shri Anupam Mishra, discovered that Sriram’s IAS falsely advertised “200 plus selections” in the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022. However, only 171 candidates were actually successful, with many having participated in free courses. The CCPA’s investigation revealed that the institute deliberately concealed information about the courses these candidates took, misleading consumers.
The misleading advertisement also included claims such as “We are India’s No.1 Prestigious UPSC/IAS Coaching Institute.” CCPA’s findings showed that most of the successful candidates had cleared the Preliminary and Mains exams independently before joining Sriram’s IAS for the Interview Guidance Programme. The institute did not clarify this in their advertisements, leading consumers to believe that the paid courses were responsible for the success of all the candidates.
“An advertisement must contain a truthful and honest representation of facts, with all important information disclosed clearly,” emphasized Smt. Nidhi Khare, Chief Commissioner of the CCPA, highlighting the importance of protecting consumer rights against unfair trade practices.
Misleading advertisements have been a persistent issue in the education sector, particularly in the competitive exam coaching industry. Institutions often exaggerate their success rates to attract more students, sometimes using the same candidates’ results across multiple platforms without providing full disclosure about the courses these candidates actually attended.
The CCPA’s action against Sriram’s IAS sends a strong message to other educational institutions, reinforcing the need for transparency and honesty in advertising. This move is expected to encourage more ethical marketing practices, ensuring that consumers—especially students and their families—are better informed when making decisions about their education.
While Sriram’s IAS did submit details of 171 successful candidates, their failure to accurately represent the nature of their courses in the advertisement has been deemed a significant oversight by the CCPA. The institute might argue that the free courses offered value, but the omission of this key detail in the advertisement misled potential students.
The CCPA’s order to discontinue the misleading advertisement and the imposed penalty of ₹3 lakh highlight the importance of maintaining consumer trust in the educational sector. Coaching institutes are urged to adopt transparent advertising practices that allow consumers to make informed decisions.
