'We Are No. 1...' Sriram's IAS Coaching Institute Fined ₹3 Lakh for Misleading UPSC CSE Ads

New Delhi: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution announced that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined Sriram's IAS, a coaching institute for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), ₹3 lakh for publishing misleading advertisements.

The action was taken against Sriram's IAS centers in Delhi for violating the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The institute's advertisements made two claims that the CCPA found deceptive: 

"200 plus selections in UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022" and “We are India's No 1 Prestigious UPSC/IAS Coaching Institute.”

The investigation revealed that Sriram's IAS advertised various courses but deliberately concealed the details of the programs opted for by the successful candidates they featured in their advertisements. This created the false impression that all these candidates had taken Sriram's IAS paid coaching courses.
The Ministry highlighted the importance of transparency regarding courses taken by successful candidates. This information empowers consumers to make informed decisions when choosing a coaching institute and course.

"Coaching institutes and online edtech platforms use pictures and names of the same successful candidates to influence prospective aspirants (consumers), without disclosing the courses opted by such candidates and length of the course so attended," the statement reads.

Sriram's IAS, in its response to the CCPA, provided details for only 171 successful candidates, falling short of their advertised "200 plus selections."  Further analysis exposed that a significant portion (102) benefitted from Sriram's IAS free programs (Interview Guidance Programme and Test Series). Additionally, nine opted for the General Studies classroom course, and five came from state government-funded free coaching initiatives. Sriram's IAS failed to disclose these crucial details in their advertisements, misleading consumers. 

"Majority of candidates had already cleared Preliminary and Mains examinations by themselves, with no contribution of Sriram's IAS. By concealing this important fact, such false and misleading advertisement creates a huge impact on those consumers who are UPSC aspirants without letting them know that Sriram's IAS had offered guidance to only such successful candidates who had already cleared Preliminary and Mains examinations of the UPSC examination. Thus, the advertisement has violated the consumer's right to be informed so as to protect himself against unfair trade practice," it added.

The CCPA pointed out that a majority of the candidates might have cleared the UPSC preliminary and mains examinations independently, with Sriram's IAS playing a limited role in their success. By concealing this fact, Sriram's IAS targeted UPSC aspirants with misleading information, implying a greater role in their achievements than what was true. This act violated consumer rights to be informed and protected against unfair trade practices.

The CCPA chief commissioner, Nidhi Khare, emphasized the importance of truthful and honest representation in advertisements. Disclosures of important information must be clear, prominent, and easy for consumers to understand.