CCPA Imposes ₹61.60 Lakh Penalty on Coaching Institutes for Misleading Ads

India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalized 19 coaching institutes with a total of ₹61.60 lakh for misleading advertisements and issued notices to 45 more. This is part of a larger crackdown on unfair trade practices, with over ₹1.19 crore in penalties issued to date. The government is committed to protecting consumers through updated legislation and the National Consumer Helpline.

Crackdown on Misleading Ads: IAS Coaching Institutes Face Stricter Guidelines

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued new guidelines aimed at curbing misleading advertisements in the IAS coaching sector. These guidelines, which take effect immediately, hold coaching institutes accountable for false claims regarding course duration, success rates, and additional services. They also mandate transparency in advertising contracts and require institutes to disclose details about their facilities, resources, and infrastructure.

Shankar IAS Academy Fined ₹5 Lakh for Misleading Advertisements

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalized Shankar IAS Academy ₹5 lakh for making false claims about its success rate and course details in its advertisements for the 2022 civil service exam. The academy’s advertisements claimed high success rates and highlighted the achievements of students, but the CCPA investigation found that many of these students had only enrolled in free programs or short-term courses. The CCPA is also working on guidelines for IAS coaching institutes to ensure transparency in their advertising and protect students from misleading claims.

Sriram’s IAS Fined ₹3 Lakh for Misleading UPSC Coaching Ads

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has penalized Sriram’s IAS, a prominent coaching institute, for misleading advertisements regarding their UPSC Civil Services Exam results. The institute was found to have exaggerated their success rate by concealing information about the courses taken by successful candidates, leading to consumer deception.

Supreme Court Slams Uttarakhand Licensing Authority for Inaction in Patanjali Case

In a stern reprimand, the Supreme Court of India has criticized the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for its inaction in the ‘misleading advertisements’ case involving Patanjali products. The apex court expressed dissatisfaction with the authority’s explanation and questioned whether it had taken appropriate legal action only after the court’s intervention. The court has directed the authority to submit original newspaper pages containing the public apology issued by Patanjali and has adjourned the matter for further hearing on May 14.

Patanjali Publishes Larger Apology After Supreme Court Rap

Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Limited’s Balkrishna have complied with the Supreme Court’s order to publish a larger apology in newspapers over their misleading advertisements. The apology, titled “Unconditional Public Apology,” covers almost one-fourth of newspapers. Patanjali had previously issued a smaller apology, but the court had pointed out its inadequacy. The apology covers non-compliance with court orders, holding meetings/press conferences in violation of court orders, and publishing misleading advertisements. Patanjali has committed to abide by the Supreme Court’s directions and uphold the majesty of the court.

Patanjali Issues Another Unconditional Apology in Newspapers

Patanjali Ayurved, in response to the Supreme Court’s questioning of the size of its previous public apology, has issued another more prominent apology in newspapers, signed by Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali’s managing director Acharya Balkrishna. The apology expresses remorse for non-compliance with the court’s directions and promises to abide by them in the future.

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