 has imposed a penalty of ₹8,00,000 each on Dikshant IAS and Abhimanu IAS for indulging in misleading advertisements){kind=link}
NEW DELHI: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹8,00,000 each on Dikshant IAS and Abhimanu IAS for indulging in misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, violating provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The CCPA said the action was taken to safeguard consumer rights and to ensure that no false or deceptive advertisements are made by any goods or service providers. Both institutes were found guilty of using photographs and names of successful UPSC candidates without their consent to claim credit for examination results.
CCPA Acts Against Dikshant IAS for Misleading Advertisements and Unfair Trade Practices
In the case of Dikshant IAS, the CCPA received a representation from Ms. Mini Shukla (AIR 96, UPSC CSE 2021), who alleged that her photograph and name were used in promotional material without her consent. She clarified that she was never associated with the institute and had only attended a mock interview at another academy that collaborated informally with Dikshant IAS.
The CCPA noted that Dikshant IAS published advertisements claiming “200+ Results in UPSC CSE 2021” without substantiating the claim. The institute could only produce 116 enrolment forms and failed to provide evidence linking students’ success to its programmes. It also failed to submit any agreement confirming a partnership with other institutions.
The authority concluded that Dikshant IAS took undue credit for candidates’ success while concealing vital details about the specific courses they attended. This violated Sections 2(28) and 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act by misleading aspirants and compromising their right to be informed.
Abhimanu IAS Penalised for Deceptive Claims and Misuse of Candidate Identities
The CCPA also examined the case of Abhimanu IAS after receiving a complaint from Ms. Natasha Goyal (AIR 175, UPSC CSE 2022). She alleged that her name and image were used without consent. The investigation revealed that the institute had shared a question bank for a mock interview that was never conducted, yet used her details in promotional content.
The CCPA found several unsubstantiated claims in the institute’s advertisements, such as “2200+ Selections since Inception”, “10+ Selections in IAS Top 10”, and “1st Rank in HCS/PCS/HAS”. The majority of these results were outdated, and the institute provided no evidence to support its figures. The omission of key phrases such as “since 1999” was found to deliberately mislead potential aspirants.
The authority held that Abhimanu IAS engaged in misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices by inflating its success rates and misrepresenting student achievements. Such actions, it said, violated the right of consumers to truthful information under Section 2(9) of the Act.
CCPA Urges Aspirants to Report False Claims by Coaching Institutes
The CCPA observed that misleading claims in educational advertising are especially harmful because students invest significant time, effort, and money in preparation for competitive exams. False claims can create unrealistic expectations and influence decisions unfairly.
The authority has urged successful candidates to immediately report cases where coaching centres use their names or photographs without authorization. So far, the CCPA has issued 57 notices to various institutes and imposed penalties worth ₹98.6 lakh on 27 coaching institutions for similar violations.
The final orders in these cases are available on the official CCPA website: https://doca.gov.in/ccpa/orders-advisories.php?page_no=1
Consumer Rights Strengthened Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 empowers authorities to act against deceptive marketing and safeguard consumers’ right to accurate information. Misrepresentation and omission of facts, particularly in education, are considered serious offences that can attract both financial penalties and directives to stop misleading practices.
Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, who led the investigation, emphasized that the decision reinforces the principle of transparency and accountability in the education sector. The CCPA reiterated that coaching institutions must adhere strictly to ethical advertising standards to protect consumer interests.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on official information released by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). It aims to provide accurate and factual details about regulatory action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The content does not express any personal opinion or editorial bias.
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