Walk down the streets of Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar or Karol Bagh, and you’ll be greeted by a sea of garish posters and banners. These aren’t just any advertisements; they’re the proud displays of IAS coaching institutes, showcasing the pictures of their successful students, complete with names and ranks achieved in the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. These posters, designed to lure new students, often feature the same successful candidates across different coaching centers, leading to confusion and potential manipulation. But this practice is soon to be a thing of the past.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is preparing to introduce new guidelines that will drastically change the way IAS coaching institutes operate. These guidelines will address the rampant practice of misleading advertisements, particularly the use of successful candidates’ images and credentials without their informed consent.
Under these new regulations, coaching institutes will be required to wait until after a candidate has successfully cleared the UPSC exam before they can enter into any agreement regarding the use of their achievements in marketing materials. These agreements, if the candidate chooses to participate, will be valid for a maximum of one year and will give the candidate control over how their image, name, rank, and testimonials are used.
This move comes in response to widespread concern regarding the manipulative tactics employed by some coaching institutes. These institutes often pressure students to sign contracts at the time of enrollment, binding them to allow their credentials to be used in advertisements without proper understanding or consent. The CCPA’s proposed guidelines will create a more transparent system, ensuring that students make informed decisions about the coaching institute they choose and the use of their achievements.
The new guidelines are expected to have a significant impact on the IAS coaching industry, which generates an estimated 3,000 crore rupees annually. While some coaching institutes have acknowledged their commitment to complying with the new regulations, the overall impact on the industry and the perception of its advertising practices remains to be seen.
The CCPA’s initiative is being praised by experts who emphasize the vulnerability of UPSC aspirants, many of whom are young and inexperienced, easily swayed by the promises of success made by coaching institutes. The new guidelines are seen as a crucial step in protecting these vulnerable students from exploitation and ensuring they have the autonomy to decide how their achievements are utilized. The CCPA’s actions highlight a growing awareness of the importance of consumer protection and ethical advertising practices in the education sector, particularly in the competitive world of IAS preparation.
The upcoming weeks will see the finalization and implementation of these guidelines, marking a significant change in the way IAS coaching institutes operate. This shift towards transparency and ethical practices will likely create a more level playing field for aspiring civil servants and empower them with greater control over their academic journey and personal achievements.
