The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a fine on a coaching institute for giving misleading advertisements. According to the information, the Central Consumer Protection Authority has imposed a fine of two lakh rupees on the coaching institute 'Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study' for giving misleading advertisements. This information was given by the government body on Sunday. The CCPA found that the coaching institute hid important information in its advertisements about the courses taken by the students who it claimed had cleared the Indian Civil Services Examination (CSE). 

 What were the claims made in the advertisements?

The official statement said that the institute's advertisements claimed that UPSC CSE 2023 had "13 students in top 100, 28 students in top 200 and 39 students in top 300" and prominently displayed the names and photographs of the successful candidates. The institute used terms such as 'Shubhra Ranjan IAS' and 'students of Shubhra Ranjan IAS' in its advertisements and letterhead, giving the misleading impression that Shubhra Ranjan is/was an IAS officer. 

According to the consumer regulator, the advertisements violated provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 by "deliberately concealing vital information".

Earlier, a coaching institute in Rajendra Nagar was found guilty of misleading advertisement

Earlier in October, a coaching institute 'IAS Gurukul' located in Rajendra Nagar, Delhi was found guilty of publishing misleading advertisements and charging one-time fees, besides unfair practices and providing faulty services by the Central Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The commission had directed to refund Rs 62,363 to a student for 'faulty' services, besides paying her Rs 10,000 as compensation for causing harassment and mental agony.