Digital Scoop India Official Platform of Digital Scoop India Featuring Latest & Best News #Articles #Bytes #Entertainment #DigitalScoopMagazine
Related Articles
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹5 lakh on Shankar IAS Academy for publishing misleading advertisements related to the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022. This action is part of the CCPA’s efforts to safeguard consumer rights and ensure the accuracy of advertisements concerning educational services.
The academy’s advertisement had claimed that out of 933 candidates at the all-India level, 336 were selected, including 40 in the Top 100. The advertisement also asserted that 42 candidates from Tamil Nadu were successful, with 37 of them having studied at Shankar IAS Academy. It further positioned the institute as the “Best IAS Academy in India.”
However, the CCPA’s investigation revealed that the advertisement was misleading as it failed to disclose key information about the courses taken by the successful candidates. According to the findings, out of the 336 candidates claimed by the institute, only 333 were verified. The breakdown showed that 221 candidates took the Free Interview Guidance Programme, 71 enrolled in the Mains Test Series, 35 in the Prelims Test Series, 12 in General Studies Prelims cum Mains, and 4 in a combination of Prelims Test Series with other courses.
Concealment of Information: The CCPA noted that Shankar IAS Academy had deliberately concealed the specifics about the type of courses taken by the successful candidates. This omission misled consumers into believing that all advertised successful candidates had enrolled in the paid courses promoted by the academy.
Regulatory Action: Nidhi Khare, Chief Commissioner of CCPA, emphasized that advertisements targeting UPSC aspirants must present truthful and transparent information. The CCPA’s decision underscores its commitment to protecting consumer interests and enforcing the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which mandates accurate advertising and prohibits misleading claims.
Institute’s Response: In response to the regulatory action, Shankar IAS Academy defended its practices but was unable to justify the discrepancies between its claims and the actual course details. The institute’s failure to disclose relevant information led to the fine and heightened scrutiny from the consumer protection authorities.
Ongoing Monitoring: The CCPA’s investigation also included a review of the academy’s other promotional materials and advertisements. The authority stressed the importance of clear and honest representation in advertisements to prevent consumer deception.
The fine imposed on Shankar IAS Academy serves as a warning to educational institutions to ensure that their marketing practices align with legal standards and accurately reflect the services they provide.
Sources By Agencies
