IAS coaching centres face closure, license cancellation for false advertising
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: IAS coaching institutes will face closure and licence cancellation if found violating new guidelines on misleading ads released on Wednesday. The Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector, 2024, hold coaching centres accountable for false claims regarding course duration, which may mislead students into believing they can complete a programme within an unrealistically short timeframe.
Mint was the first to report on 28 November 2023 that IAS coaching institutes would no longer be allowed to use photos of successful candidates to attract potential aspirants. Coaching institutes will have to give refunds if they fail to deliver the services claimed in their advertisements. Additionally, coaching facilities will be mandated to sign agreements with aspirants for using their credentials only after they have cleared the prestigious exam, giving successful candidates more bargaining power in advertising contracts.
Similarly, the advertisement of free interview guidance programmes, without clear terms and conditions, is prohibited. Institutes must now accurately represent any additional services they offer to avoid creating false expectations, said consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare while releasing the new guidelines. The guidelines also stop exaggerated claims on the number of students who have achieved success in exams after attending the coaching centre.
Coaching facilities must now ensure that their success rates are accurate and based on verifiable data. Coaching institutes will be required to disclose details such as the rank secured, course name and duration alongside the candidate's photograph. Disclaimers and important information must be
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