CCPA probing 20 IAS coaching centres for misleading ads, unfair trade practices

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

IAS coaching centres for alleged misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices of using toppers and successful candidates' names and pictures to influence prospective aspirants. Briefing media, Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Chairperson Nidhi Khare said out of 20 institutes, a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each has also been imposed on four centres — Rau's IAS Study Circle, Chahal Academy, IQRA IAS and IAS Baba.
Notices have been issued to Vajirao & Reddy Institute, Chahal Academy, Khan Study Group IAS, APTI Plus, Analog IAS, Shankar IAS, Sriram's IAS, BYJU's IAS, Unacademy, NEXT IAS, Drishti IAS, IQRA IAS, Vision IAS, IAS Baba, Yojana IAS, Plutus IAS, ALS IAS, Rau's IAS Study Circle and Dhishti IAS, she added.

«The notices have been issued in the last one-and-half years for deliberately concealing important information about successful students. We have imposed a penalty on four centres, while other cases are under investigation,» Khare said.
Usually, several coaching institutes go on an advertising spree after the results of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam are announced.

On average, 900 students clear the UPSC exam every year out of more than 10 lakh students, she said.
The official said after the UPSC final results in 2022, a total of 933 candidates were recommended. However, the total selections claimed by the 20 institutes exceeded the UPSC's recommendations significantly.

Numerous coaching institutes claim the same rank holder as their student by deliberately concealing important information. The successful candidate might have taken coaching in multiple institutes for different subjects, and for prelim or main exams, she said.
Further, Khare said they are not clearly disclosing