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New Delhi, September 2, 2024: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposes penalty of ₹ 5 Lakh on Shankar IAS Academy for advertising misleading claims regarding result of UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022
The CCPA, led by Chief Commissioner Smt. Nidhi Khare, found the Shankar IAS Academy had intentionally withheld crucial information about the courses attended by successful candidates. This had misled many aspiring civil servants into believing that all the claimed selections were due to its paid programs, while in fact many of them opted for free or low-cost services.
- The Shankar IAS Academy claimed 336 selections out of 933 at the All-India level but did not disclose that many of the candidates had enrolled in free interview guidance programs or other low-cost services.
- This is where the academy had concealed the relevant information that many of its successful candidates indeed took advantage of free or very low-cost courses, misrepresenting to the consumers that the paid programs were an answer to success.
- This practice was a violation of the consumer’s right to be informed. Where they could not make enlightened decisions given preparation for the UPSC exam.
The CCPA’s action sends a strong message to coaching institutes that they must be transparent and honest in their advertising. Misleading claims can have serious consequences for consumers who may make financial decisions based on false information.
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