Sriram's IAS fined for advertisement saying 'We're India's No. 1'
What's the story
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh on Sriram's IAS, a prominent coaching institute.
The penalty was levied due to the institute's deceptive advertising related to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam results.
The CCPA issued an order against Sriram's IAS for violating the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 with its misleading advertisement about the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022.
Advertisement scrutiny
Sriram's IAS accused of concealing crucial information
The CCPA found that Sriram's IAS had advertised various courses without providing complete information about the courses chosen by the successful candidates.
This omission led to a false impression among consumers that all successful candidates had enrolled for the paid courses promoted by the institute on its website.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 specifically identifies such concealment of important information as a form of misleading advertisement.
Response analysis
Institute's response and CCPA's findings
In its response, Sriram's IAS provided details of only 171 successful candidates, despite claiming "200 plus selections" in its advertisement.
The CCPA discovered that out of these 171 candidates, 102 were from Free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP), 55 were from Free Test Series, 9 were from GS Classroom course and five candidates were from different states under the MoU signed between the state government and the institute to provide free coaching.
Consumer rights
CCPA emphasizes on truthful advertising
"Majority of candidates had already cleared Preliminary and Mains examinations by themselves, with no contribution of Sriram's IAS," the ministry said.
"Sriram's IAS had offered guidance to only such successful candidates who had already cleared Preliminary and Mains examinations of the UPSC examination. Thus, the advertisement has violated the consumer's right to be informed so as to protect himself against unfair trade practice," it added.