New Delhi: In a landmark ruling, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has levied a fine of ₹11 lakh on the coaching institute Vision IAS for publishing misleading advertisements about its students’ performance in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). This marks the first penalty issued under consumer protection laws for a repeat offence.
The CCPA investigation revealed that Vision IAS, officially registered as AjayVision Education Pvt Ltd, made exaggerated claims in its advertisements, prominently highlighting achievements such as “7 in Top 10 & 79 in Top 100 selections in CSE 2023” and “39 in Top 50 selections in CSE 2022”, along with photographs, names, and ranks of successful candidates.
Misleading Claims on Courses Taken
The Authority found that Vision IAS deliberately concealed which courses the successful candidates had actually enrolled in, creating a false impression that all toppers had taken its expensive foundation courses, which cost several lakhs of rupees.
Of the 119+ successful candidates claimed by Vision IAS for the 2022 and 2023 CSE batches, only three students had enrolled in foundation courses, while the rest had only opted for test series, one-time Abhyaas tests, mock interviews, or other minor services.
The CCPA highlighted that although the institute disclosed that Shubham Kumar (AIR 1, UPSC CSE 2020) had enrolled in the GS Foundation Batch, it deliberately did not clarify the course details of other featured candidates, thereby misleading aspirants into believing that all students had taken the premium foundation program.
Authority Statement on Repeat Violation
“This is the first case of penalty on the second offence,” said Nidhi Khare, CCPA Chief Commissioner and Consumer Affairs Secretary. She added, “Despite regulatory intervention and caution, the institute continued to make similar claims in subsequent advertisements, demonstrating a lack of due diligence and regulatory compliance.”
The Authority emphasized that such incomplete and selective disclosures mislead students and parents, creating false expectations regarding examination outcomes and the effectiveness of coaching services.
Wider Implications for Coaching Industry
The CCPA has issued 57 notices to various coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, imposing penalties totaling ₹1.09 crore on 28 institutes along with directions to discontinue false claims.
In its statement, the Authority warned that websites, being globally accessible for extended periods, are a primary source for aspirants researching coaching options. Unauthorized projection of student achievements without consent further exacerbates the misleading nature of such advertisements.
CCPA’s Advisory for Coaching Institutes
The CCPA underscored that all coaching institutes must ensure truthful and transparent disclosure of information in their advertisements. Accurate reporting allows students and parents to make informed academic decisions, avoiding unrealistic expectations and financial exploitation.
