CCPA Imposes Rs 5 Lakh Penalty On Shankar IAS Academy For Misleading Advertisement
The Centre Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Sunday issued an order against Shankar IAS Academy for misleading advertisements regarding the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022. The CCPA imposed an amount of Rs 5 lakh.
The CCPA headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra in its statement said that “the decision was taken to protect and promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019”.
Read also: FIR Registered In Shocking Assault Case Of Elderly Muslim Man In Maharashtra
According to the ministry’s statement, Shankar IAS Academy in its advertisement made these respective remarks.
* “336 selections out of 933 at All India Level”
* “40 candidates in Top 100”
* “42 candidates have cleared from Tamil Nadu, of which 37 studied at Shankar IAS Academy”
* “Best IAS Academy in India”
However, CCPA found out that the above-mentioned details were deliberately concealed by the academy. This had the effect that the consumers falsely believed that all the successful candidates so claimed by the Institute had opted for the paid courses advertised by the institute on its website. This practice attracted many consumers to buy paid courses advertised by the coaching institute, the ministry said.
Section 18 empowers CCPA to ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made in respect of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made.
Read also: “Who Can Stop Them?”: Haryana Chief Minister Downplays Mob Lynching Of Muslim Man
The regulator’s investigation found that out of 336 claimed successful candidates, 221 had only taken a free interview guidance program, while others participated in various short-term or specific exam components rather than full courses, it said.
It highlighted that over 1 million candidates apply for the prestigious civil services exam annually, making UPSC aspirants a vulnerable consumer class.
CCPA emphasized the importance of transparent information about courses taken by successful candidates, enabling consumers to make informed choices when selecting coaching programs.
