Centre Issues Guidelines To Regulate False Claims And Advertisements By Coaching Centres

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued new guidelines to regulate misleading advertisements and false claims by coaching centres. The guidelines come in the wake of several complaints on the National Consumer Helpline. The CCPA has issued 54 notices and put penalties of about Rs 54.60 lakh till date.

This will help in prohibiting false claims such as 100% selection or 100% job security. As per the Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, the coaching centers deliberately conceal information from the students. The government is not against the coaching centres but trying to impose restrictions on false claims and the quality of advertisements to protect consumer rights, said a CCPA official.

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As per the new guidelines titled ‘Prevention of Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector’, coaching centres can not make false claims about the courses offered at the centres and duration of courses, faculty credentials, fee structure and refund policy, selection rates, exam rankings, and guaranteed job security or salary increase.

The guidelines define, ‘coaching’ to include terms such as academic support, education, study programmes, tuition and guidance, but exclude counselling, creative activities, and sports. Also, the coaching centres are prohibited from using photographs, names, or testimonials of selected candidates without their consent after selection. The disclaimers and important information about the course must be displayed prominently.

Also, prospective students are advised to verify what courses successful candidates were enrolled in as many UPSC candidates get enrolled only in interview guidance programs and prepare for other stages by self-study.

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The CCPA chief reprotedly said, that coaching centres should accurately represent the service, facilities, resources and infrastructure. They should truthfully acknowledge that the courses offered by them are duly recognized and approved by competent authorities such as AICTE or UGC etc.

Violations will cause imposition of penalties under the Consumer Protection Act, said the CCPA official.