Consumer protection watchdog warns coaching centres against misleading ads ahead of IIT-JEE results

The CCPA emphasised that advertisements should transparently disclose key details including students' names, ranks, course types, and whether courses were paid for.

New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Thursday issued a warning to coaching centres against issuing misleading advertisements after results of competitive exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, and UPSC examinations are declared.

The CCPA advised coaching centres to adhere to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 strictly, and Guidelines for the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements in the Coaching Sector, 2024.

"The Authority clearly outlines that their representations must be accurate, clear, and free from misleading claims or the concealment of important information from consumers. Additionally, coaching centres should avoid assuring guaranteed success," the statement said.

"Coaching centres must disclose key details in their advertisements, including the student’s name, rank, course type, and whether the course was paid. Disclaimers must be prominently displayed in the same font size as other important information to ensure consumers are not misled, " the statement added.

The CCPA has already taken significant enforcement action in this sector, issuing 49 notices and imposing penalties totalling Rs 77.60 lakh on 24 coaching centres for violations.

In a significant move to protect consumer rights and ensure transparency in the coaching sector, the CCPA has, over the past three years, taken action against misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, and violations of consumer rights by coaching centres.

The statement said the CCPA recently issued notices to a few coaching institutes flagging issues such as guaranteed selection, assurance of JEE/NEET ranks, violation of consumer rights and misleading advertisement.

Unfair trade practices including promised services not being provided, fee denying fee refunds for cancelled admissions, and deficiency in services were also highlighted in the notices..