There will be no manipulation in the advertisements of coaching centers, CCPA issued guidelines

New Delhi: Coaching institutes that mislead students through advertisements with fake success rates and incomplete information about courses will be cracked down on. The central government issued guidelines related to this on Wednesday. Coaching institutes will have to clearly state in their advertisements which courses they are offering, what is the duration of the course, what is the qualification of the teachers and what is the refund policy. There should not be any confusion in the information about selection rate, successful students and exam ranking. Institutions will not make fake claims about passing the exam, getting high marks and job guarantee. Institutions will also have to provide clear information about their infrastructure, resources and facilities, so as to avoid cases of death of students due to electrocution or drowning due to inadequate safety measures.

CCPA issued guidelines

Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisement in Coaching Sector, 2024 issued by Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). It also says that if coaching institutes want to use the names and photographs of successful students in any competitive examination including UPSC in their advertisements, then they will have to take written consent from the students after passing the examination. In most of the cases, this consent is taken in the form filled at the time of admission to the course and the students give consent under pressure.

Action will be taken against those who mislead

CCPA Chief Commissioner and Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said, ‘Action will be taken under the Consumer Act 2019 on cases of misleading advertisements in the coaching sector. Under this, action can be taken ranging from imposing fine to canceling the license.

Coaching centers will have to give complete information

Khare said, ‘The institutes will have to clearly mention in the advertisements that the names and photos of the successful people they are giving, which course they had done there and whether it was paid or free. Many coaching institutes give in their advertisements the names and photographs of such successful candidates who have taken guidance from them only for the interview and in most of the cases this guidance is free, but this fact is hidden and they are not selling their expensive courses. Students are tempted. Many times, many institutions start claiming the success of one student.

Disclaimer needs to be highlighted

According to the guidelines, if there is a disclaimer, it should be given prominently in the advertisement and in the same font as other information so that consumers are not misled by the fine print. The new guidelines will be applicable to every person associated with coaching and well-known people advertising their services including coaching centers will also come under its purview. Such people will be held accountable that the claims they are advertising are true. If the claims are found false, such people along with the coaching institutes will also be held responsible. Every coaching center will have to be linked to the National Consumer Helpline, so that it becomes easier for students to complain about misleading advertisements or unfair trade practices.

According to these guidelines, academic support, guidance, instruction, study program or tuition or such activities will be considered as coaching and rules will be applicable in their case only, but activities like counselling, sports, dance, theater will not be within its scope. These guidelines will be applicable to such centers where more than 50 students are taking coaching.

Khare said that these guidelines have been made in view of the increasing complaints from students on the National Consumer Helpline. he/she informed that CCPA has issued 45 notices to various coaching centers in cases of misleading advertisements. A fine of Rs 54 lakh 60 thousand has been imposed on 18 coaching centres.